Vetch update. I ran over this morning to put cages on some plum trees and checked in on the vetch. I really wasn't expecting much since it has been so hot and dry on my place throughout July.

Vetch is still fairly prevalent throughout the fields, but it is starting to get some weed pressure, I'll probably need to hit it with Cleth soon.

I put exclusion cages up a few weeks ago because I couldn't really tell if it was the soil or the browse pressure that was holding it back. I'm fairly certain it's the browse pressure. The vetch inside the cage was easily 2-3x the size as that out. I wish I would have caged from the beginning, but at least I can see how it does through the rest of the summer.

First pic is typical of what is throughout the field. Most of it 6 inches or less and not very lush looking. 2nd two pics are inside the cages. There is a pretty dramatic difference in size and appearance. I'll be planting a lot more acreage next summer to spread the browse pressure around and hopefully produce more significant biomass. Again, this was planted the first week in May.


[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]


[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]


[Linked Image from live.staticflickr.com]

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