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Sainfoin
Legume
Image Source: 1
Image Source: 2
Estimated Cost
$2.55
($/lb)
Planting Window
Spring seeded
Best for
, and undefined
Alternate Species
Alfalfa
1. Tracey Slotta, ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
2. Cropped image of orginial based upon MallaurieBrach's (own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)], via Wikimedia Commons. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69418445
Seeding Detail
Sainfoin
25.0
35.0
30.0
Additional Information
Why We Recommend This
Sainfoin is known as "holy grass" and relished as forage by wildlife, sheep, and cattle. Its large, deep tap root makes it very drought tolerant. It is adapted to much of the Northern Rocky Mountains and Northern Plains and performs well in sites receiving at least 14 inches of rain. Sainfoin also produces a lot of nectar and is highly attractive to pollinators and beneficial species. Sainfoin has an early maturation date to allow for earlier spring forage and grazing compared to species like alfalfa.
Things to Watch Out For
Sainfoin does not do well in sites with high water tables or wet soils. Use of sainfoin has been limited due to high establishment costs -- the large seed, high seeding rate, and high seed prices negatively impact interest in this species.
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