Woolly Pod Vetch
Woolly Pod Vetch is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Adds large quantities of nitrogen, builds organic matter; combine with oats for support; can be slashed to provide 'in situ' mulch for spring vegetables, especially beneficial for tomatoes; attracts predatory insects. Sow in temperate areas Feb - June or Aug - Oct; in subtropical areas March - June
Product: Woolly Pod Vetch
Product type: SEED (X)
Botanical name: Vicia villosa
Woolly pod vetch is a weak, twining legume that prefers cool, moist weather. It is a prolific green manure that chokes out weeds and adds large quantities of nitrogen to the soil. It is best planted with oats to provide support. Vetch can be slashed to 3-6 cm high to provide "in situ” mulch for spring vegetables; it is especially beneficial for tomatoes. After slashing leave it in place to form a thick mulch mat. The purple vetch flowers are attractive to beneficial insects, hoverflies, ladybirds and bees.
Plant type: Annual cool season legume
Sow when: Germinate best 15 - 23°C soil temp.
Temperate: March - May; August - October
Tropical: Unsuitable
Germination: 3 - 4 days
Depth: 4 - 6 mm deep
Position: Full sun; direct where it is to grow; rake seed in or leave on the surface
Soil type: Wide range of soils, intolerant of waterlogging; pH 6 - 7
Inoculant: Follow the instructions for the inoculant provided
Green manure: Dig or slash it in when flowers are fully formed; vetch self-sows & could become a weed problem if allowed to seed
*Good for bees
X seeds per packet
Vicia villosa
Annual cool season legume
Woolly Pod Vetch
Adds large quantities of nitrogen, builds organic matter; combine with oats for support; can be slashed to provide 'in situ' mulch for spring vegetables, especially beneficial for tomatoes; attracts predatory insects. Sow in temperate areas Feb - June or Aug - Oct; in subtropical areas March - June