Star Seed

Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa R.) is a widely grown legume with origins not entirely clear. Some historians claim it was used by the Romans and Greeks as a plowdown “green manure” in their fields. Most hairy vetch is sold as VNS (variety not stated). Growth Characteristics Hairy vetch is a winter annual legume. It has long branches (upwards of 7’) with a large number of leaves. When hairy vetch blossoms, it produces cascading purple flowers. The hairy vetch seed is round and almost the size of soybeans.

AREAS OF ADAPTATION: Hairy vetch can be planted almost anywhere. It is winter hardy and can tolerate soils with a pH range from 5.0 to 8.0 (prefers 6.0-7.0). Prefers moist buy not flooded soils. Requires a minimum of 30” annual precipitation.

USES:The primary use of hairy vetch is as a cover crop. It also can be broadcast seeded into corn, soybeans, vegetables, etc. It is a great soil builder. Seed it with a crop like ryegrain to add biomass to the soil. It can add up to 225 pounds of nitrogen per acre to the soil.

ESTABLISHMENT:Hairy vetch can be either drilled or broadcast seeded. Seeding rates for drill seeding are 25-30 pounds per acre and 35-40 pounds per acre broadcast. If blending with non-legumes, reduce seeding rate by 25-50%. Hairy vetch will use a lot of Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K), good idea to do soil test. When broadcast seeding by itself, the field should be either culti-packed or lightly harrowed. Time of planting: 40-60 days before killing frost if the vetch is to be plowed down in the spring.

MANAGEMENT:There are various ways to work with hairy vetch as a plowdown. Just prior to planting, it can be disked down, might have to make two passes to break the plant up. Alternatives include mowing the vetch and killing it with a herbicide, or it can be grazed into mid-spring, but there should be leaves left behind so it can regrow if continuous pasture is desired.

IMAGE: Haddock, Michael John. Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas. University Press of Kansas, 2005.