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garden
Hairy vetch
Vicia villosa
EdibleToxic — Use CautionDrought Tolerant
Overview
One of the most effective nitrogen-fixing cover crops available, hairy vetch can add 100-200 pounds of nitrogen per acre to the soil. Its sprawling, vining growth smothers weeds and its purple flowers are a beautiful bonus for pollinators. When crimped or mowed at flowering, it creates a dense mulch mat that suppresses weeds and feeds the soil as it decomposes.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones8a — 9
Height0.46m
Spread1m
Growth HabitVine
LifespanAnnual
Bloom ColorPurple
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.5 — 7
Soil TypeAdaptable to most well-drained soils; drought-tolerant
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sow; winter-hardy legume; fixes significant nitrogen; vining habit |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | May — Jun | Mow or crimp at peak bloom; mulch layer suppresses weeds; wait 2 weeks to plant |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sow; often mixed with winter rye for structure and nitrogen |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Jun | Terminate at flowering; rye/vetch mix creates excellent no-till mulch |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Sep — Oct | Fall sow; overwinters; purple flowers in spring attract pollinators |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — May | Roll-crimp or mow at bloom; decomposes and releases nitrogen over 4-6 weeks |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Nov | Fall sow; vigorous vining habit — combine with rye for support |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Mar — Apr | Terminate in spring before it sets seed — can become weedy |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Dec | Fall/winter sow; fixes 90-200 lbs nitrogen per acre |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Feb — Mar | Terminate in late winter/early spring |
Uses
Other Uses
- Premier nitrogen-fixing cover crop (100-200 lbs N/acre)
- Weed-suppressing mulch mat when crimped at flowering
- Erosion control and soil building on slopes
Safety Notes
Seeds are toxic to cattle and horses. Not for human consumption.
