Organic Hairy Vetch - Raw Seed (lb)

Organic Hairy Vetch is the cold-climate specialist among commonly planted vetches. Vicia villosa can tolerate temperatures below 0°F after it has developed a strong root system, allowing it to protect soil through winter and resume vigorous growth in spring. In colder weather the plants may appear dormant, but much of their nitrogen-rich biomass is produced after temperatures begin to rise.

This vining legume spreads across the soil and can climb a companion grain such as cereal rye or oats. The combination is useful when growers want the nitrogen fixation and relatively soft residue of vetch together with the fibrous roots, weed competition, and structural support of a cereal. Hairy vetch planted alone can also provide green manure and erosion control, although its trailing spring growth may be harder to manage without a supporting crop.

Plant early enough in fall for seedlings to become well rooted before severe cold arrives. This is raw seed and must be inoculated with compatible Rhizobium bacteria for dependable nodulation and nitrogen fixation. In spring, monitor growth closely: delaying termination increases biomass but also produces a thicker, more tangled stand. Mow or incorporate before mature seed develops. When mechanical termination without tillage is planned, effectiveness improves as the crop approaches flowering.

• Scientific Name: Vicia villosa
• Certification: Certified organic seed
• Growth Cycle: Cold-hardy cool-season annual legume
• Application Rate: 1 lb per 1,000 sq ft or 30–40 lb per acre
• Inoculant: Strongly recommended for effective nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Use Pea Vetch Lentil Inoculant (treats 100 lb), Garden Combination Mix Inoculant (treats 8 lb), or Garden Combination Mix Inoculant (treats 50 lb). Choose the package size that matches the amount of seed being planted, and plant promptly after treating the seed.
• Germination: Approximately 5–10 days under suitable conditions
• Plant Height: Vines reach approximately 2–3 feet
• Uses: Nitrogen fixation, overwintering green manure, erosion control, weed competition, and mixtures with cereal grains
• Cold Tolerance: Established plants can tolerate temperatures below 0°F
• Management: Plant early enough for fall establishment and terminate before mature seed develops