Cover Crop - Hairy Vetch
Best organic soil builder for home gardeners seeking natural fertility.
Enhance your soil naturally with Sow True Seed's certified organic Hairy Vetch cover crop. This annual legume is a powerhouse for improving soil health, offering exceptional biomass production and significant nitrogen fixation. It also excels at suppressing weeds, creating a healthier environment for your next planting. Suitable for both spring and fall sowing, Hairy Vetch is an eco-friendly choice for gardeners seeking to build soil structure and fertility. Sow True Seed is committed to human-first content and offers free shipping in December.
$10.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
3
/ 5876
#3 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
+3%
Above average
Botanical Name
Vicia villosa
/ Vicia villosa
Who it's for
- Farmers working with heavy or compacted soil types
- Organic gardeners seeking natural soil fertility boosters
- Busy growers wanting to minimize manual weeding tasks
Who should skip it
- Market gardeners needing early spring planting windows
- Gardeners lacking heavy-duty equipment for biomass removal
- Precision growers worried about future crop contamination
Performance breakdown
Nitrogen Fixation
A top-tier legume for naturally boosting soil fertility and nutrient density.
Weed Suppression
Dense growth habit effectively crowds out invasive weeds during the off-season.
Biomass Production
Generates substantial organic matter to improve soil structure and moisture retention.
Planting Versatility
Adapts perfectly to both spring and fall sowing schedules for gardeners.
Seed Integrity
Certified organic and open-pollinated seeds ensure high-quality, sustainable garden inputs.
Ease of Establishment
Reliable germination makes this a straightforward choice for soil health improvement.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Vicia villosa
Planting Time
Spring or Fall
Seeding Rate
1 lb per 1000 sq ft or 35 lbs/acre broadcast
Life Cycle
Annual
Seed Trait
Open-Pollinated
Certification
Certified Organic
Size
1/2 lb
Price
$10.95
Features
- Excellent nitrogen fixer
- High biomass producer
- Effective weed suppression
- Certified organic seed
- Annual life cycle
- Open-pollinated variety
- Spring or fall planting
- Improves soil health
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise Sow True Seed's Hairy Vetch for its exceptional reliability and performance as a soil builder. Satisfaction centers on the high germination rates and vigorous establishment, quickly creating dense soil coverage. The vetch is highly valued for its robust nitrogen fixing capabilities, leading users to report noticeable improvements in subsequent cash crop yields and plant health. Its excellent winter hardiness and effective weed suppression offer dual benefits of fertility and reduced maintenance. Reviewers trust the purity and quality of the seed stock. This cover crop delivers consistent, high value, making it a staple recommendation for experienced growers seeking superior soil health results.
Know before you buy
Hairy Vetch is a nitrogen-fixing legume that naturally enriches your soil while producing significant biomass. It also acts as a living mulch, which helps suppress weed growth and improves overall soil structure for future plantings.
Yes, this variety is versatile and suitable for both spring and fall sowing. It is an annual plant, so it will complete its life cycle within one season, making it easy to manage regardless of when you start.
The recommended seeding rate is 1 pound per 1,000 square feet for garden plots. If you are planting on a larger scale, the rate is 35 pounds per acre when broadcasted.
Yes, this Hairy Vetch is certified organic and is an open-pollinated variety, ensuring it meets high standards for natural gardening practices.
Because it is an annual, you can easily terminate the crop by mowing it down or tilling it into the soil before it goes to seed. Incorporating the biomass back into the earth allows the fixed nitrogen to break down and feed your next crop.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.