Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Hairy Vetch (Legume)
Hairy vetch (
Vicia villosa
) is the king of nitrogen production and that alone makes it
worthwhile. It doesn't grow much in the fall, but is a good survivor through winter (hardi-
ness zones 4 and up). Come spring, hairy vetch can get big, contributing lots of organic
matter and smothering weeds. It doesn't need particularly fertile soil and tolerates many
soil conditions. A friend of mine has it growing on a steep slope as part of a mixture to help
stabilize the soil.
Vetch does need moisture to get going, but after that it can handle drought. With suffi-
cient moisture, it can be used in much of North America, but isn't used much in the Great
Plains, Southwest and Northwest. Even in the Southeast, clover is better. While it can def-
initely survive the winter, planting it with a grass will greatly improve its chances.
After you cut it down, you can seed vegetables right into it, although if you've let it
grow for quite awhile in the spring, you might take some excess to the compost pile.
Woollypod vetch (
Vicia villosa
ssp.
dasycarpa
) might be more appropriate in areas with
little rain or irrigation. It's used extensively in California, and up the West Coast.
