Food Plots Vetch

[Biggun4214]

Anyone use vetch in their food plots? If so what variety?

One of the properties I used to hunt had crown vetch along the access road and the deer would eat it to the ground. It would also grow along the cracks on the rock faces.

 

[megalomaniac]

So... deer love it AND it's a legume to nitrify your soil.... what's the catch?

There must be a catch (it doesn't grow well in poor soils?), otherwise it would be in every gimmick food plot blend.

Don't get me wrong... its been on my short list for upcoming seeds to try in my plots.... LOTS of 'pros' to it... but what's the catch?

 

[Sako]

would like to know more

 

[Popcorn]

Which variety?
I have used hairy vetch on and off over the years. Never saw it browsed. It's a good legume and makes a beautiful mat when planted with a cereal grain and rolled down. That and feeding other plants in poor soils or highly erodible soils is all I've ever used it for.

 

[Biggun4214]

There's no catch, I can't find crown vetch locally and was just seeing what other varieties other than hairy vetch was out there.
Quail, turkey, and dove will feed on it.

 

[BSK]

I have used Crown Vetch and Hairy Vetch. As Popcorn stated, Hairy Vetch does amazingly well in poor soils (mine grew 3-feet tall), but deer paid little attention to it. Deer showed higher preference for Crown Vetch, but man that stuff can be a b&tch to mow and till. Very viny.