Common
Vetch Seeds
Vicia Sativa
Available in 30g packs - approx. 400 seeds
Common Vetch, also known as garden vetch or spring vetch, is
a versatile and hardy leguminous plant with a rich history and a range of uses.
Learn more about this remarkable species, its history, uses, and how to grow it
in the UK.
Plant Description:
- Scientific Name: Vicia sativa
- Family: Fabaceae
- Growth Type: Annual or Biennial
- Height: Typically grows to 30-90 cm tall
- Flowers: Attractive clusters of pink, purple, or blue
pea-like flowers
- Foliage: Compound leaves with leaflets arranged opposite
each other.
Historical Significance:
- Common Vetch has been cultivated for centuries and was among
the first crops domesticated by ancient humans. It played a crucial role in crop rotation systems, improving
soil fertility.
Common Uses:
- Agricultural: Common Vetch is grown as a forage crop, cover
crop, and green manure. It enriches the soil with nitrogen due to its ability
to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.
- Forage: Widely used as livestock forage, especially for
cattle, sheep, and goats.
- Wildlife Habitat: Attracts pollinators and beneficial
insects.
- Human Consumption: In some cultures, young Common Vetch
leaves and shoots are used in salads and traditional dishes.
Benefits and Features:
- Soil Improvement: Improves soil fertility by adding nitrogen
through nitrogen fixation.
- Livestock Feed: Provides high-quality forage for grazing
animals.
- Wildlife Attraction: Attracts pollinators, including bees
and butterflies.
- Crop Rotation: Useful in crop rotation systems to enhance
soil health.
Guide to Growing Common Vetch in the UK:
- Planting Time: Sow seeds in early spring or late summer for optimal growth.
- Site Selection: Choose a sunny to partially shaded location with
well-draining soil.
- Seed Preparation: Soak seeds in water for 6-12 hours before planting.
- Sowing: Plant seeds at a depth of about 1 inch and space them 2-3
inches apart in rows.
- Growth and Care: Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Common Vetch is relatively low-maintenance but may benefit
from nitrogen fertilizer if growth is slow.
- Harvesting: If grown for forage, harvest Common Vetch when it reaches
18-24 inches in height. For green manure, cut the vetch before it sets seeds and
incorporate it into the soil.
- Rotation: If used as a cover crop, rotate with other crops in
subsequent seasons for maximum soil benefits.
In Summary:
Common Vetch is a versatile plant with a rich history of
cultivation and diverse uses. Whether you're a farmer looking to improve soil
health, a gardener interested in attracting wildlife, or simply want to explore
its culinary applications, Common Vetch is a valuable addition to any landscape
or garden. With the right care, you can enjoy its benefits in the UK and
enhance your gardening experience.
Vetch is one of the species we stock on the RHS plants for pollinators list.
Please Read the Following Information
Carefully. By placing an order with us you agree to these
terms
Any advice provided is intended as a guide
only and does not guarantee success. Seeds are live products that rely on many
important factors such as grower skill, planting time, seed depth, soil type
and weather conditions to grow. Germination is affected by many things that are
out of the control of Bee Kind Reimagined and although we do everything we can
get seeds to you in the best possible condition, once you receive your seeds it
is out of our hands. Therefore, we can take no responsibility for any successes
or failures you may encounter while growing our seeds and will not be able to
make refunds once the package has been opened.
Shipping policy
Nobody likes paying extortionate postage costs or waiting ages for online purchases to arrive, so at Bee Kind Reimagined we provide FREE shipping to the UK.
Orders over £20 will be sent via a Royal Mail tracked service.
For an extra charge, we also offer a next day delivery option. A tracking number will be provided.
For items that have not been received by the expected delivery date, we ask customers to be patient when Royal Mail are experiencing delays. A refund or replacement will be given once a case has been settled successfully.
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Returns and refunds
You have the right to cancel your purchase at any time from the moment you place your online order, and up to 30 days from the day you receive your goods.
You need to inform us of your wish to cancel your order within this time period
You then have a further 14 days from the date you notify us of your cancellation to return the goods.
You are responsible for the cost of returning the item/items and we recommend using a delivery service with proof of posting.
We will only accept returns of seeds in their original, unopened, undamaged packaging
Any refunds will be issued within 2 working days of us either receiving the goods back, or you providing evidence of having returned the goods (for example, a proof of postage receipt from the post office), whichever is sooner.