When should hairy vetch be planted?
Plant vetch 30 to 45 days before killing frost for winter annual management; in early spring for summer growth; or in July if you want to kill or incorporate it in fall or for a winter-killed mulch.
How deep do you plant vetch?
Drill 15-20 lbs/A hairy vetch seed 1-1.5 inches deep (use higher seeding rate when planning to terminate hairy vetch early in spring). It is possible to broadcast seed at 20-30 lbs/A and use a light disking or field cultivation to improve seed to soil contact.
What is the seeding rate for hairy vetch?
20 to 25 pounds per acre
Hairy vetch is normally planted in late summer to early fall. Seed can be broadcast or drilled and should be inoculated prior to planting. The recommended planting rate is 20 to 25 pounds per acre with a seeding depth of 1inch.
How long does it take for hairy vetch to sprout?
10 – 14 days
Germination: 10 – 14 days. Ideal temperature for germination is about 68 degrees F. If the soil temperature is too cold, the seed will not germinate. Plant vetch 30 to 45 days before killing frost for winter annual management.
Can vetch be planted in spring?
It has an intermediate flowering habit and, with moderate temperatures and adequate moisture, will grow on into the summer months. Its substantial root system and its ability to flower quickly and set seed in a dry spring give it good drought tolerance.
Can you plant hairy vetch in summer?
Hairy Vetch Planting Plant hairy vetch in late summer or autumn at least 30 days before the first average frost date in your area. It’s important to provide time for the roots to establish before the ground freezes in winter. To plant hairy vetch, plow the soil as you would for any regular crop.
What kills hairy vetch?
A severe freeze with temperatures less than 5° F may kill hairy vetch if there is no snow cover, reducing or eliminating the stand and most of its N value. If winterkill is possible in your area,plant- ing vetch with a hardy grain such as rye ensures spring soil protection.
How long does it take hairy vetch to bloom?
The purple and white flowers appear in mid-June and are borne in a cluster, or raceme. Seed pods, bearing 4 to 8 seeds each, mature unevenly from July 10 to July 25. Pods tends to shatter soon after maturity. When hairy vetch is spring sown, it will bloom and produce some seed the same season.
Can you graze hairy vetch?
Hairy vetch can be grazed, especially in annual legume-grass and/or legume-cereal mixtures. It can also be offered as hay or silage to supplement cereal or grass based diets.
How late can you plant hairy vetch?
Plant hairy vetch in late summer or autumn at least 30 days before the first average frost date in your area. It’s important to provide time for the roots to establish before the ground freezes in winter. To plant hairy vetch, plow the soil as you would for any regular crop.
How long does it take for hairy vetch to bloom?
Although hairy vetch is typically pubescent, the most extensively used commercial variety is called smooth vetch because it appears to have no pubescence. The purple and white flowers appear in mid-June and are borne in a cluster, or raceme. Seed pods, bearing 4 to 8 seeds each, mature unevenly from July 10 to July 25.
How do you plant hairy vetch seeds?
To plant hairy vetch, plow the soil as you would for any regular crop. Broadcast the seed over the soil at the rate recommended on the seed package – usually 1 to 2 pounds of seed for every 1,000 square feet of garden space. Cover the seeds with about ½ inch of soil, then water well.
What is a hairy vetch cover plant?
A type of legume, hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) is a cold-hardy plant belonging to the same plant family as beans and peas. The plant is sometimes planted in spring, especially in agricultural applications. In the garden, hairy vetch cover crops are usually grown through the winter and plowed into the soil before spring planting.
When to plant hairy vetch in Maryland?
Prepare beds—just as you would for planting tomatoes—at your prime time to seed hairy vetch. Drill hairy vetch at 40 lb./A, and expect about 4 inches of top growth before dormancy, which stretches from mid- December to mid-March in Maryland.
How does hairy vetch improve soil quality?
Hairy vetch absorbs nitrogen from the air as it grows. Nitrogen, a critical nutrient required for plant growth, is often depleted by repeated cultivation, poor soil management and use of synthetic fertilizers and herbicides. When a hairy vetch cover crop is plowed into the soil, significant amounts of nitrogen are restored.