Fodder vetch

Fodder vetch Care

Vicia villosa

What is the plant

Vicia villosa, known as the hairy vetch, fodder vetch or winter vetch, is a plant native to some of Europe and western Asia. It is a legume, grown as a forage crop, fodder crop, cover crop, and green manure.

Hairy vetch is an annual or biannual viny legume with a woolly appearance due to long soft hairs borne on the stems and leaves. It remains green longer than the common vetch (Vicia sativa). It flowers and seeds late in the season and often survives the dry season, regenerating to almost full strength during the next rainy season. Vicia villosa has a scrambling and prostrate habit when young. It is 30-70 cm in height in mature swards. When it is provided with support for upright growth, hairy vetch may climb and reach a height of 1-2 m. Vicia villosa is appreciated as a cover crop and green manure. It's invasive in many US states.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Hardiness zone

min 5

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The soil should be reliably moist throughout the growing season. It has medium tolerance of drought but cannot withstand waterlogging.
Sunlight
The plant requires a sunny position.
Soil
It does well in many types of soil provided they are well drained. It grows in soils with pH ranging from 6 to 7.5 and it is more tolerant to soil acidity than many forage legumes.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

Ease your plant care routine with PlantIn's personalized system.

Temperature
It does well in areas with average temperatures ranging from 8°C to 19°C. It is relatively winter hardy but tolerates frost better if it is protected by a snow cover or if it is grown with a companion crop, or sown below a cover of crop residues.
Popularity
301 people already have this plant 90 people have added this plant to their wishlists