Although lespedezas are fairly drought resistant, good yields depend on an adequate moisture supply.
In the region where lespedeza is commonly grown, inoculation is generally not needed. On badly eroded soils it may be beneficial or necessary. On land that has not previously grown lespedeza, inoculation is necessary the first year. Inoculation with commercial cultures is more helpful in plantings north of the Ohio River than farther south. This is particularly true of Korean lespedeza.
In North Carolina, Tennessee, and farther south, annual lespedezas should be seeded in late February or the first half of March. Farther north, seeding should be delayed until late March or early April.
The Korean varieties and Common lespedeza should be seeded at the rate of 25 to 30 pounds of seed per acre and Kobe at the rate of 30 to 40 pounds. Fifteen pounds of the Korean varieties and of Common and 15 to 20 pounds of
BN - 4633Figure 5 - Lespedeza at Beltsville, Md., in late July: Rowan, left, shows greater growth than Kobe.
