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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Vetch
Highest nitrogen-fixing annual cover crop—100-200 lbs N/acre. Fall-planted, overwinters, spring biomass. Pairs with Winter Rye. Vicia villosa. Zones 3-8.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
The nitrogen powerhouse of cover cropping. Hairy Vetch is a winter annual vine that fixes 100-200 lbs of nitrogen per acre—more than any other annual legume commonly used in cover crop programs. Plant it in fall, let it overwinter, and by spring it produces a dense mat of vining growth and purple flowers that captures more nitrogen than most farmers need for the following crop. Paired with Winter Rye, it creates the classic two-species cover crop combination: Rye provides biomass and weed suppression while Vetch provides nitrogen.
Category
Legume
Type
Hairy Vetch
Scientific Name
Vicia villosa
Zones
3-8 (winter annual; planted in fall, overwinters, flowers in spring, dies in summer)
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
The nitrogen powerhouse of cover cropping. Hairy Vetch is a winter annual vine that fixes 100-200 lbs of nitrogen per acre—more than any other annual legume commonly used in cover crop programs. Plant it in fall, let it overwinter, and by spring it produces a dense mat of vining growth and purple flowers that captures more nitrogen than most farmers need for the following crop. Paired with Winter Rye, it creates the classic two-species cover crop combination: Rye provides biomass and weed suppression while Vetch provides nitrogen.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Inoculate with Rhizobium; plant Sept-Oct
Step 2
Mix with Winter Rye (15-20 lbs Vetch/acre)
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Plant 1-1.5" deep; firm seedbed
Step 5
Rainfall usually sufficient for fall
Step 6
Terminate at full bloom (May-June) for Nitrogen
Best For
Fall-planted nitrogen cover crop (the highest-fixing annual option)|Pairing with Winter Rye for complete cover crop system|Pre-corn or pre-vegetable nitrogen building|No-till cover crop systems (roller-crimped vetch mulch)|Weed suppression (dense vining growth smothers weeds)|Pollinator habitat (purple flowers attract bees and beneficial insects)|Erosion control on bare fall/winter ground|Organic farming nitrogen programs
FAQs
1.
What is Indian mustard?
Vetch (Vicia) is a nitrogen-fixing legume used primarily as a cover crop and green manure. Two main types are available: common vetch (Vicia sativa), a spring-planted annual that matures in one season, and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), a winter-hardy variety that can be fall-planted in zones 4-8 and overwinters to provide spring growth. Both types are vigorous vining plants that fix 80-200 lbs of nitrogen per acre and produce substantial biomass for soil improvement.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Plant hairy vetch in late summer to early fall (August-September) for winter cover and spring nitrogen production. Fall planting allows 4-6 weeks of establishment before frost, after which hairy vetch goes dormant and resumes vigorous growth in spring. In zones 3-4, plant by mid-August to ensure adequate establishment. Hairy vetch can also be spring-planted (April-May) but produces less biomass and nitrogen when used as a spring annual.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Hairy vetch fixes 80-200 lbs of nitrogen per acre, with typical stands providing 100-150 lbs N. Common vetch fixes slightly less at 60-150 lbs per acre. When terminated and incorporated in spring, vetch provides enough nitrogen to significantly reduce or eliminate nitrogen fertilizer for the following crop. Research shows vetch cover crops can supply 50-80% of corn's nitrogen requirement when properly managed.
4.
What is the seeding rate for vetch?
Seed hairy vetch at 15-25 lbs per acre as a pure stand, or 10-15 lbs per acre when mixed with a cereal grain (winter rye, oats, or wheat). Common vetch is seeded at 30-40 lbs per acre due to its larger seed size. For small areas, use approximately 0.5-1 lb per 1,000 sq ft. Plant 0.5-1 inch deep. Inoculate with Rhizobium leguminosarum inoculant specific to the vetch/pea group.
5.
Can vetch be mixed with winter rye as a cover crop?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
How do you terminate vetch before planting a crop?
Terminate vetch by mowing, rolling with a crimper-roller, or tilling at full bloom stage (typically late May to early June). Crimper-rolling is preferred for no-till systems—it kills vetch without soil disturbance and creates a weed-suppressing mulch mat. Herbicide termination with glyphosate is effective when applied at early bloom. Avoid terminating too early (before bloom), as nitrogen fixation peaks during flowering and early termination reduces nitrogen contribution by 30-50%.