Hairy Vetch Organic Cover Crop Seed
Quick Facts
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Latin Name
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Vicia villosa
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Days To Maturity
Days To Maturity
Average number of days from seeding date to harvest, within a specific crop group. If a transplanted crop: average number of days from transplant date. Not sure if crop is direct-seeded or transplanted? Check the Growing Information box for details. If crop can be both direct-seeded or transplanted, days to maturity refers to direct seeding. Days to maturity for all flowers and herbs is calculated from seeding date.
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60 - 300 days
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Life Cycle
Life Cycle
Plants can be Annuals (single growing season), Perennials (grow year after year), Tender Perennials (grow year after year in warmer climates; and in some cases when given special protection in colder climates), or Biennials (require two years to mature).
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Annual
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Hybrid Status
Hybrid Status
Hybrid: The offspring of a cross between two or more distinct parent lines, usually of same species, and selected for improved traits.
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Open-pollinated: A non-hybrid variety that can reproduce itself in kind, demonstrating relatively stable traits from one generation to the next. -
Open Pollinated
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Product Features
Product Features
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Organic Seeds, Plants, and Supplies
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Plants, or seeds harvested from plants, that have been grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, strictly adhering to the USDA's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) organic gardening practices are designated as Organic.
Supplies that meet the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) rules according to a third-party authority such as OMRI, WSDA, and/or a local authority such as MOFGA or NOFA. -
Attracts Beneficial Insects
- Variety attracts and supports pollinators and/or insects that prey on garden pests.
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Hairy Vetch Organic Cover Crop Seed
Short-term, legume green manure for nitrogen fixation.
Sow spring to late summer with or without grain, grass, or field peas. When sown in late summer, spring regrowth is vigorous and nitrogen producing for tilling in before planting the spring garden crops. Typical nitrogen produced is 110 lb./acre. This rapid spring growth also makes it a good weed suppressant. Hairy vetch prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0–7.0, and will do poorly in clay or wet fields. It will do well in soils too acidic for many clovers and alfalfas. May have some allelopathic properties, so it is best to allow 2–3 weeks between incorporating and seeding of small-seeded crops. This selected hardy strain is widely adapted and withstands all but severe winters if sown in late summer or fall. Inoculate with Garden Combination Inoculant (#7531) or Pea, Vetch, and Lentil Inoculant (#7534) for best performance. Blue label/Certified seed. USDA Certified Organic.Specs:
Quick Facts
-
Latin Name
-
Vicia villosa
-
Days To Maturity
Days To Maturity
Average number of days from seeding date to harvest, within a specific crop group. If a transplanted crop: average number of days from transplant date. Not sure if crop is direct-seeded or transplanted? Check the Growing Information box for details. If crop can be both direct-seeded or transplanted, days to maturity refers to direct seeding. Days to maturity for all flowers and herbs is calculated from seeding date.
×
-
60 - 300 days
-
Life Cycle
Life Cycle
Plants can be Annuals (single growing season), Perennials (grow year after year), Tender Perennials (grow year after year in warmer climates; and in some cases when given special protection in colder climates), or Biennials (require two years to mature).
× -
Annual
-
Hybrid Status
Hybrid Status
Hybrid: The offspring of a cross between two or more distinct parent lines, usually of same species, and selected for improved traits.
×
Open-pollinated: A non-hybrid variety that can reproduce itself in kind, demonstrating relatively stable traits from one generation to the next. -
Open Pollinated
-
Product Features
Product Features
-
Organic Seeds, Plants, and Supplies
-
Plants, or seeds harvested from plants, that have been grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, strictly adhering to the USDA's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) organic gardening practices are designated as Organic.
Supplies that meet the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) rules according to a third-party authority such as OMRI, WSDA, and/or a local authority such as MOFGA or NOFA. -
Attracts Beneficial Insects
- Variety attracts and supports pollinators and/or insects that prey on garden pests.
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- This product does not ship to Canada.
This item’s size, weight, or shape may require an additional shipping surcharge based on the shipping location selected. Specific charges will be displayed during checkout.
Uses: Prolific, viny growth. Very cold tolerant and widely adapted. Good nitrogen fixation with quick release after termination.
Culture: Can be sown in spring, but most commonly used in fall as an overwintered cover crop with a winter-hardy grain. For best results, plant at least 30–40 days before a killing frost. Drill ½–1" deep into a well-prepared bed or broadcast and lightly rake or disc in. Inoculate with "pea/vetch" type inoculant (#7534) for nitrogen fixation. Hardy in all but severe winters when late summer or fall sown.
Seeding Rate: 1 lb./1,000 sq.ft., 25–40 lb./acre. Lower rates are acceptable when drilling seed. For broadcasting, or if you are seeding late, use higher rates. Good sown with rye or oats; a mix of 20–25 lb./acre of vetch and 70 lb./acre winter rye is suitable under many conditions.
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil. Ideal pH of 6.0–7.0.
Height: 3–4'
Termination: Spring growth is vigorous after a fall seeding. Termination is easiest after flowering but produces hard seed and can become weedy if not terminated before seed set. Mowing or crimping is effective if properly timed, but less effective if not in full flower. Tillage is effective, but difficult if not mowed first, due to vetch's viny nature. Tarping can be effective but is typically best after mowing or crimping.
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