Hairy Indigo - Indigofera hirsuta
Hairy Indigo Plant - is a tall, reseeding, summer annual legume that can grow up
to four to seven feet high if not grazed. It is mainly used for
grazing, and growth is sometimes allowed to develop to provide high
quality grazing in the fall for weaned calves or dry cows. Hairy Indigo
leaves are also nutritious for goats. When used as a cover crop or green
manure crop, hairy indigo can effectively suppress nematodes that might
otherwise seriously damage succeeding crops. Besides grazing, hairy
indigo has also been used for hay and silage. Hairy Indigo is easy to
establish and needs very little management.
Hairy Indigo Plant Time:
Hairy Indigo - is ideally planted between April and July, Hairy Indigo requires a soil pH
of up to 6. Hairy Indigo will not grow well or persist on acid soils. Lime may
need to be added to achieve the right pH level. It is adapted to sandy
soils that have good drainage and grows well on land that may be too dry
for other legumes. Hairy Indigo does not grow well on soil that suffers flood for
any length of time.
Hairy Indigo Planting Instructions:
-
Plant 8 Lbs per acre
-
For good establishment, 15 lbs. of seed per acre is recommended
- disking, rolling or packing the soil after broadcasting the seed
gives better results
