About Lablab
Lablab is a warm-season annual legume from Africa that produces high-protein forage (25–30% crude protein) through summer and fall and tolerates heat and moderate drought better than soybeans. Mississippi State University's Deer Lab rates it among the top warm-season legumes for white-tailed deer, though plots smaller than one to two acres are often grazed flat before the stand can fully establish. Like all legumes it should be inoculated with the proper rhizobium bacteria before planting; lablab requires its own specific inoculant strain, not a generic cowpea or soybean inoculant.
How much Lablab seed per acre?
The standard broadcast seeding rate for Lablab is 25–30 lbs per acre, dropping to about 18 lbs per acre when drilled. 25 lb/ac broadcast; 15 lb/ac drilled — these are MSU Deer Lab recommended rates. Cover seed approximately 1 inch. Lablab does not mix well with soybeans without careful rate management. The calculator above scales this to your exact plot size and converts it into the number of retail bags to buy.
When to plant Lablab
Lablab is a warm-season crop. In the northern US, plant in late May–Jun; farther south, plant in Apr–Jun (can extend into Jul if moisture is adequate). Sow it 1" deep and plan on 90–120.
Soil, pH & fertilizer
Aim for a soil pH near 6.5(don't go below ~6). No N (nitrogen-fixing legume); inoculate seed with lablab-specific rhizobium. High P and K demand — apply 100–200 lb/ac 0-20-20 per soil test. Not sure where your soil sits? Read our soil test & lime guide.
Lablab blends well with cowpeas, soybeans, grain sorghum, sunn hemp if you want a more diverse, resilient plot.
Lablab FAQ
- How much Lablab seed do I need per acre?
- Broadcast Lablab at about 25–30 lbs per acre, or 18 lbs per acre if you drill it. 25 lb/ac broadcast; 15 lb/ac drilled — these are MSU Deer Lab recommended rates. Cover seed approximately 1 inch. Lablab does not mix well with soybeans without careful rate management.
- When should I plant Lablab?
- In the northern US plant in late May–Jun; in the South plant in Apr–Jun (can extend into Jul if moisture is adequate). Expect 90–120.
- What soil pH does Lablab need?
- Lablab does best at a soil pH around 6.5 (minimum ~6). No N (nitrogen-fixing legume); inoculate seed with lablab-specific rhizobium. High P and K demand — apply 100–200 lb/ac 0-20-20 per soil test.
- Do deer like Lablab?
- Deer preference: high — 25–30% crude protein in fertile soils; extremely attractive once discovered by deer; needs adequate plot size (1–2+ acres).