Common Vetch

Common vetch is a slender, viny plant that can grow to be 23-31 inches (60-180 cm). Common vetch has tendrils that terminate the leaves which are used to attach itself to other plants. Planted alone, vetch has a very prostrate growth habit but it is often planted with grasses and allowed to climb those stems for easier harvesting. Common vetch is an annual legume forage that can contribute to grass, hay, silage, or greenchop systems and is used extensively as a green manure crop.

When used as a pasture crop, it can be mixed with small grains or annual ryegrass. Common vetch is less winter-hardy than hairy vetch. It is well-adapted to moderately to well-drained, fertile soils. It is a significant producer of nitrogen, especially for crops planted late in the spring. This makes it very attractive to organic growers. Another trait of vetch is that it lowers the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in mixes with cereal grains. This quickens the process of decomposition. Growth is slow in the fall, but significant in the spring.

The full seeding rate is 20-70 lbs/ac and 0.5-2.0 inch seeding depth.
Common vetch tolerates pH of from 4.5-8.2.