Phacelia
WARM Season - Broadleaf
Phacelia is a versatile plant that is quick to grow and flower. It grows well in dry soil and does a good job of limiting nitrate leaching when planted in early fall. It winterkills at about 18°F. Phacelia is a herbaceous, non-leguminous, flowering annual. Height ranges from 6 to 47 inches. The foliage appears ferny, and the flowers are in flat-topped clusters in shades of purple or occasionally white. The benefit of Phacelia is its ability to quickly grow a dense and deep root system, sequestering available nutrients, and improving soil aggregation and pore volume.
SOIL ADAPTABILITY:
Drainage: Poorly to well-drained soils
Fertility: Good tolerance of low fertility (does not like : clay or crusty soils)
pH Level: 5.5 -6.8
Minimum Soil Germination Temp: 38-68°F
SEEDING / GROWTH:
Dates: Frost-seed or 5-7 weeks before avg first frost
Rates:
Precision: Not recommended
Drilled: 7-12 lb/A , 1/4' to 1/2' deep
Broadcast: 9 lb/A
Aerial: 11 lb/A
Average seeds/lb: 234,960
Inoculate: no
Emergence: 3-11 day depending on temp and light (Needs dark and cool soil temps for good germination)
Height: 6" - 2'
Drought & Heat: Good drought tolerance
Good heat tolerance
Flooding: Does not tolerate flooding or ponding
PROS:
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Attracts beneficial insects (one of the top 20 crops for honey production)
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Soil building
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Fertility improvement
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Nematode control
CONS:
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Slow to establish
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Soil temperature and germination (Soil temperature needs to be between 37 – 68°F for best results)
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Winter-kills at about 18ºF, and the residue breaks down quickly