Hairy Vetch

A hardy legume that we usually plant with rye to overwinter and plow in the spring before we plant potatoes. Vigorous growth suppresses weeds, but large plants can be a problem to mow or plow. Turn under when the rye is 10-12” tall or 2 weeks before planting the next crop. Vetch supplies 60-140#/acre of nitrogen and 4500# of biomass, depending on maturity when it is turned under. Its succulent vines decompose rapidly. And the blue flowers are just lovely in a vase on the kitchen table. Seed at 20-40#/acre or 1#/1000sq ft. Organic.