Hairy Vetch is a slender, twining, annual legume native to Europe, but naturalized throughout the United States. The hairy stems can grow to a length of 91 cm (36 in.). The leaves are usually composed of 10 to 20 leaflets. The pea-like flowers are white to rose and violet. It grows well on a variety of soils, including clays and alkali soils. It is drought-resistant.

Seed should be drilled from 1.3 to 3.8 cm (½ to 1 ½ in.) deep depending on site conditions (shallower on coarser, moister soils). Seeding rates should be increased on harsher sites. Scarified seed can be planted in early spring. Unscarified seed should be planted in late fall to help break seed dormancy. Hairy Vetch has weak stems and is often planted with a crop of small grain for support. It is used frequently as a winter cover crop for protection from winter wind erosion on sandy lands.

3.4 to 9 kg PLS /hectare
3 to 8 lbs. PLS/acre

20,000 per lb. (0.46 kg)