Phacelia scavenges for N in the soil and provides C to build soil organic matter.
It can be used for feed or hay in soil with low to medium nitrogen availability.
Great root structure breaks up clay soil. Phacelia is a long day plant, flowering only when days are longer than 13 hours (May—Sept). It germinates at temperatures above 2.8 Celcius and winterkills at -8 Celcius.
Great root structure breaks up clay soil. Great as a pollinator because it’s vibrant blue flowers attract bees and other insects. A quick growing plant which makes a fine, feathery but dense carpet that shades and holds the soil but allows moisture to trickle through. The extensive root systems creates biomass comparable to buckwheat. Fibrous root system can reach a depth of 75 cm. Phacelia is capable of producing 6-16 tons per hectare of biomass in 14 weeks contributing 37-60 units of N per hectare.
Great for sugar beet nematode control. Can survive temperatures above -6 degree and can grow up to 4 feet tall. Its use as a autumn/winter cover crop may be appropriate when it will be followed by a vigorous cash crop in early spring.
KEYWORDS: yield booster, attract beneficials & pollinators, beneficial insects, forage, grazing, green manure, nitrogen production, wildlife
