Hairy Vetch Cover Crop Seeds

Vicia villosa

Hairy vetch is a hard-working, fast-growing cover crop, adding large amounts of nitrogen into the soil, benefiting the next crop. It grows quickly and densely, smothering and helping to prevent pesky weeds. At the bloom stage, it contributes the most nitrogen and is easiest to incorporate. It biodegrades quickly, needing just a few weeks of rest before sowing your next crop. Usually winter hardy in USDA zones 4 and warmer, resuming growth the following spring. While top growth may be slow in the winter, it acts as a blanket to your soil, preventing erosion from wind or water and the deep roots are still growing, feeding soil organisms, and improving soil structure and water retention. Fairly drought tolerant and also tolerant of temporary flooding.

$5.99 ~960 seeds
4.1
Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
10

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Features

Family

Fabacea

Native

Africa, Asia, and Europe

Life Cycle

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

Plant Height

Medium (12" - 24")

Further Information

Growing Conditions

Growing Conditions

  • Drought Tolerant
  • Frost Tolerant

About Cover Crop

Vicia villosa

Hairy vetch is a sprawling legume with white to purple flowers, that is valuable for providing nitrogen to the soil. Some research shows that as a mulch, it can increase the subsequent crop's disease resistance.

Planting Cover Crop

Plant Spacing

Scatter seeds about 3" apart

Hardiness Zones

Hardiness Zones

10, 11, 12, 13, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Light Required

Light Required

Full sun to part shade

Plant Height

Plant Height

Medium (12" - 24")

Planting Depth

Planting Depth

½"

Coverage & Planting Details

Coverage This packet sows approximately 60 square feet.
Seed Depth ½"
Seed Spacing Scatter seeds about 3" apart
Thinning Not Applicable
Germination 10 – 15 Days
Start Indoors Not applicable.
Direct Sow 4 to 6 weeks before your average first fall frost date for a crop the following spring. Can also be sown in early spring or summer. Will germinate slowly in soil as cool as 40°F, more ideally 60°–75°F.

Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone

4.1
Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars
Based on 10 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 7 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 1
Rating
Ratings
Which best describes you as a gardener?
Which best describes you as a gardener?
10 reviews
  • Alexis M.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    12/21/24
    5 Stars

    Love this company

  • Carleen W.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    11/25/24
    5 Stars

    Planted this for the first time to help enrich my raised bed soil. I was impressed that I had so much growth! Looking forward to spring to see how we did!

  • April P.
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    8/16/24
    5 Stars

    Grew great and lots of pollinators. I saved some seeds to try for this fall and next spring.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate
  • Kathy
    Verified Buyer
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    6/2/24
    5 Stars

    My order was delivered quickly

  • Kate B.
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    4/20/24
    2 Stars

    There is another BI customer who commented on how hairy vetch is invasive in some regions. This is true as my state DNR has is listed as invasive. BI, as part of a responsible company, please make it known somewhere obvious on your site that some plants are invasive in some regions and that the purchasers should check before buying. Until this spring, I never would have thought of it and contributed to an already established problem.

    Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate

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