Purple Vetch - Raw Seed (lb)

Vicia atropurpurea purple vetch is a vigorous cool-season annual legume for mild-winter regions. Its trailing growth can produce dense ground cover and substantial biomass, making it useful in green-manure plantings, soil-building rotations, erosion protection, and mixtures with cereal grains.

Purple vetch performs best where winter temperatures generally remain above about 20°F. Sow in fall in mild climates or in early spring where winters are colder. It tolerates relatively low-fertility soils but responds to good drainage and adequate phosphorus and other nutrients. A companion grain such as oats can provide support and make the stand easier to manage.

Terminate before mature seed develops if volunteers are undesirable, and mow before stems become overly fibrous when easy incorporation is the goal. Do not assume cover-crop seed is suitable forage for every animal; livestock use should be evaluated with a veterinarian or forage specialist, particularly when vetch makes up a large portion of the stand.

• Application rate: 1–3 lb per 1,000 sq ft or 40–60 lb per acre
• Inoculant: Strongly recommended. Use Pea, Vetch & Lentil Inoculant (treats 100 lb), Garden Combination Mix Inoculant (treats 8 lb), or Garden Combination Mix Inoculant (treats 50 lb); plant promptly after treating seed.
• Germination: Approximately 7–14 days
• Plant height: Up to approximately 3 feet when supported
• Uses: Green manure, nitrogen fixation, soil cover, weed competition, insectary bloom, and cover-crop mixtures

Compare additional legumes in our Cover Crop Seeds Collection.