If you are looking for a summer food plot seed for deer that works on smaller plots, Tecomate Velvet Patch deer food plot seed is worth a close look. It blends forage peas, buckwheat and joint vetch into one warm-season mix that is planted in spring or summer in all zones. Below we cover what is in the bag, where it fits and how to plant it.
What is Tecomate Velvet Patch?
Velvet Patch is a warm-season blend built around three plants. High-protein, fast-growing forage peas start the mix and give deer a reason to visit during the warm months. Buckwheat is known for its soil-building characteristics and weed suppression. The backbone of the blend is Aeschynome, also known as American joint vetch or deer vetch, which has become a preferred summer food plot forage, especially in the southern half of the United States.
Tecomate designed Velvet Patch for smaller food plots where you might not be able to plant soybeans or lablab. Joint vetch provides crude protein of up to 25% or higher and is best known for its high graze tolerance, which makes the blend a good choice in areas with high deer densities. It also grows well in a range of soil types.
Key features of this summer food plot seed
- Protein content: 20%–25%
- High graze tolerance that works on smaller food plots
- Soil building: great soil-building qualities
- Weed suppression from the buckwheat component
- Early season bowhunting: plants grow into early fall or until the first frost
- Versatile across many different soil types
Who Velvet Patch is for
This blend fits landowners and hunters who want summer nutrition on the ground while deer go through the antler-building and fawning stage. Because the plants keep growing well into early fall or until the first frost in your area, Velvet Patch can also serve as an early season hunting plot or as the crop that comes before your fall and winter food plots.
If you have a small, tucked-away plot that gets hammered by deer, the graze tolerance of joint vetch is the main reason to choose this mix. You can check sizes and planting specs for Velvet Patch on the product page, or browse other warm-season options in our spring and summer seed mix collection.
How to plant Velvet Patch
Tecomate's planting specs for this deer food plot seed are straightforward:
- Planting time: all zones, spring/summer
- Seeding rate: 25 lbs plants 1/2 acre
- Planting depth: 1/2 to 1 inch
- Fertilizer: a high phosphorous fertilizer applied at 100 to 150 lbs per 1/2 acre
As with any food plot, start with a soil test so you know your pH and nutrient levels before you buy lime and fertilizer. Work the ground into a clean, smooth seedbed, spread seed evenly, and make sure it ends up at the right depth with good soil contact. A disc such as the Impact Implements ATV/UTV disc plow / harrow helps break ground and work in fertilizer, and an Impact Implements cultipacker with weight tray firms the seedbed and presses seed into the soil after planting.
Tips for a better summer plot
- Plant when moisture is in the forecast. Summer seedings depend heavily on rain after planting.
- Measure your plot before ordering. The 25 lb Manager's Line bag covers 1/2 acre.
- Plan your fall rotation early. Since Velvet Patch runs until first frost, you can follow it with a fall/winter planting.
- For a larger warm-season plot, compare it with Tecomate Lablab Plus, another spring and summer mix.
Frequently asked questions
How much ground does a bag of Velvet Patch cover?
The 25 lb bag plants 1/2 acre at Tecomate's recommended seeding rate.
When should I plant this summer food plot seed for deer?
Tecomate lists spring or summer planting for all zones. The plants grow well into early fall or until the first frost in your area.
Is Velvet Patch a good choice for small plots with a lot of deer?
Yes. Joint vetch is known for its high graze tolerance, and Tecomate built the blend for smaller plots where soybeans or lablab may not be practical.
If you want a warm-season plot that feeds deer through summer and into early bow season, order Tecomate Velvet Patch food plot seed and get your ground ready. You can find more options in our food plot seed collection and more articles on our blog. Questions? Contact us.