Hairy Vetch
cover-crop
Top winter N-fixer — pairs well overseeded with winter rye. Mow at flowering.
At a glance
- USDA Zones
- 4–8
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hrs)
- Water
- Low — drought-tolerant once established
- Soil
- Loam, sandy
- pH
- Neutral
- Spacing
- 4 in. between plants
- Per square foot
- 9 plants per square
Planting & harvest windows
Northern Hemisphere timing. Adjust ±4–6 weeks based on your last/first frost dates.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant |
Plant Harvest
Recommended varieties
- Commonseed
Standard winter-hardy hairy vetch for cover cropping.
- Purple Bountyseed
Earlier-flowering selection, USDA-bred for the Mid-Atlantic.
Add Hairy Vetch to your raised bed — the planner handles spacing and companion warnings automatically.
Open the planner →