Winter vetch / Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) seeds

Out of stock

Winter vetch / Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) seeds

Violet-blue flowers – an attractive source of nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Cold-hardy legume – protects the soil over winter and fixes nitrogen.
One packet (20g) is sufficient for approximately 5 m² – high-yielding and easy to sow.

60,59 Kč

incl. VAT ,

SKU: VIC05

GTIN: 4251420521903

Currently out of stock
Notify me when available

Hardy legume for green manure and soil improvement – produces violet flowers and attracts pollinators.

Winter vetch, also known as hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), is an extremely resilient, cold-hardy legume and one of the classic plants used for green manuring. Originally native to the Mediterranean region, it is now widespread across Europe. Its dense growth and vigorous root system help protect the soil from erosion and nutrient leaching – especially during the winter months.

With its delicate violet-blue flowers, winter vetch is not only practical but also attractive. It serves as a valuable forage plant for bees and attracts numerous pollinating insects during its flowering period. Its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen makes it a natural soil improver and an ideal companion for mixed cropping with cereals or grasses. As a catch crop or green manure, it contributes to long-term soil fertility and a healthy, living soil structure.

Use in raised beds

In raised beds, winter vetch is particularly effective for maintaining a living substrate over the winter. It establishes quickly, forms a protective plant cover, and prevents nutrient loss through leaching. After flowering, the plant material can simply be incorporated into the soil, adding valuable organic matter. Its frost tolerance and vigorous growth make it an excellent choice for winter cover cropping in raised beds.

Plant description

Species:	Fabaceae
Root system:	Deep roots
Plant type:	Wildflower
Flower colour:	Lilac Blue
Region of origin:	Asia Minor Mediterranean Region Asia
Use:	Green manure Good insect food plant
Characteristics:	Food for bees Winter-hardy Needs darkness to germinate
Climate:	Temperate
Lifecycle:	Annual or biennial
Eventual height:	40-80 cm
Flowering months:	May June July

Growing advice

Sunlight:	Halbschatten Full sun
Soil type:	Humus-rich Deep Nutrient-rich Free-draining
Sowing depth:	2-5 cm
Planting distance:	20 cm
Water requirement:	Low
Germination temperature:	10-18°C
Germination time:	2-3 weeks
When to sow outdoors:	August September October

Sowing & Care

Sow directly outdoors from August to October. Sow the seeds approximately 2–4 cm deep and cover lightly with soil. Winter vetch germinates reliably and withstands even severe frost without damage. It prefers sunny to partially shaded locations with well-drained, humus-rich soil. In spring, it can be incorporated into the soil as green manure or used as a forage crop. Easy to grow, adaptable and highly beneficial – a classic in organic gardening.

Note on contents: One packet (20g) is sufficient for approximately 5 m² of surface area.

Other names

Botanical name:	Vicia villosa
German names:	Winterwicke, Zottige Wicke,
French names:	Vesce velue, Vesce d’hiver
English names:	Winter vetch, Hairy vetch
Spanish names:	Veza villosa, veza peluda, veza de invierno
Italian names:	Veccia pelosa, Veccia invernale
Dutch names:	Harige wikke, Winterwikke

There are no reviews yet.

Contact data

E-Mail

Manufacturer information: Magic Garden Seeds GmbH | Junkersstraße 7 | Regensburg, Germany, 93055 | service@magicgardenseeds.com | https://www.magicgardenseeds.com