Winter Hairy Vetch
Winter Hairy Vetch is a vigorous annual legume known for its exceptional ability to fix nitrogen, produce biomass, and enhance soil organic matter. Although it has a slow establishment phase, it is an outstanding choice for green manure applications, effectively enriching the soil. Its low carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio facilitates rapid plant decay, which promotes the quick capture of nutrients in the soil profile, making nutrients readily available for subsequent crops. This hardy legume is tolerant of various soil conditions, including low fertility environments, and thrives best in soil pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. Winter Hairy Vetch demonstrates impressive overwintering capabilities, especially in USDA Zones 3 to 4, where it can withstand frigid temperatures as low as -25 to -30F, particularly in snowy conditions.
Key features
- Strong nitrogen fixation
- High biomass potential
- Reduces runoff and recharges soils
- Excellent weed suppression and erosion prevention
- Excellent to plant with cereal grain