Vicia villosa
Velvet vetch
Common names: Winter vetch, Sand vetch, Velvet vetch
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Description
Velvet vetch (Vicia villosa) is the hardiest of the vetches and an excellent nitrogen‑fixing cover crop for late sowing. Its root nodules enrich the soil with nitrogen, while the climbing stems form a dense, ground‑covering mat. When grown in mixture with winter rye, it can lean on the rye stalks and overwinter very securely.
Care instructions
Sow velvet vetch in August or September (week 32‑39), preferably together with winter rye as a supporting partner. It tolerates light, sandy soils well. In spring (May, week 18) cut or roll the crop to encourage flowering, then incorporate it into the soil – this makes the fixed nitrogen available to the following crop.
Companion planting
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