Hairy indigo

Hairy indigo is a tropical legume that has been widely used as a summer cover crop and green manure in Florida and the Gulf Coast region since the early 20th century, when it was introduced as a low-input nitrogen source for sandy, infertile soils typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain where cool-season legumes cannot grow. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen at rates of 60–100 pounds per acre, produces dense biomass that suppresses summer weeds, and tolerates the heat, drought, and low-fertility sandy soils of Gulf South gardens and fields that challenge other cover crops in the summer months. The small, pink to purple flowers attract native bees throughout the growing season, and established plants are very drought resistant once rooted, requiring no irrigation on well-drained sands. In organic vegetable gardens and orchards in zone 8–11, use hairy indigo as a summer understory cover crop between rows or in fallow beds July–September to build organic matter and nitrogen before fall vegetable planting; terminate by mowing or tilling 3–4 weeks before fall planting. Спосіб посадки: Посів у відкритий ґрунт Відстань між рослинами: 6–12 дюймів Висота: 18–48 дюймів Дні до схожості: 7–14 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–27°C

Hairy indigo is a tropical legume that has been widely used as a summer cover crop and green manure in Florida and the Gulf Coast region since the early 20th century, when it was introduced as a low-input nitrogen source for sandy, infertile soils typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain where cool-season legumes cannot grow. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen at rates of 60–100 pounds per acre, produces dense biomass that suppresses summer weeds, and tolerates the heat, drought, and low-fertility sandy soils of Gulf South gardens and fields that challenge other cover crops in the summer months. The small, pink to purple flowers attract native bees throughout the growing season, and established plants are very drought resistant once rooted, requiring no irrigation on well-drained sands. In organic vegetable gardens and orchards in zone 8–11, use hairy indigo as a summer understory cover crop between rows or in fallow beds July–September to build organic matter and nitrogen before fall vegetable planting; terminate by mowing or tilling 3–4 weeks before fall planting. Спосіб посадки: Посів у відкритий ґрунт Відстань між рослинами: 6–12 дюймів Висота: 18–48 дюймів Дні до схожості: 7–14 Температура ґрунту для схожості: 21–27°C --- Час посадки: 2–6 тижнів від останнього весняного заморозка Direct sow scarified seeds after last frost once soil warms above 70°F; hairy indigo establishes best on sandy, well-drained soil in full sun and benefits from inoculation with appropriate Indigofera rhizobia before planting.