Hairy vetch is a great planting for wildlife. This legume produces great forage for deer carrying up to 20% protein. Hairy vetch is easier to grow than many other legumes, handling acidic soils well. This crop is also a great soil builder. It is noted for its nitrogen fixing qualities, producing up to 120 pounds of Nitrogen per acre. A common application is to use hairy vetch as a spring/summer crop followed by a fall food plot of Nitrogen loving plants such as turnips, rape, wheat, oats, and rye. Hairy vetch can also be planted in the fall. It is a great companion crop with clover and cereal grains. It winters well even in the Northern US with a cover crop or snow cover.
Plant seeds on a well-tilled seed-bed covering 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Fertilize and lime according to soil test. The recommended planting rate is 15 to 20 pounds per acre.
