I am at a loss. I planted Hairy Vetch in my raised garden beds last month after I cleaned up for winter. It's come in nicely. Now, when I mow it down in the spring; do I till it in or leave it on the surface as a mulch?
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I am at a loss. I planted Hairy Vetch in my raised garden beds last month after I cleaned up for winter. It's come in nicely. Now, when I mow it down in the spring; do I till it in or leave it on the surface as a mulch?
Hairy vetch is grown as an annual or winter annual. In spring, the plant produces 3 to 10 long, weak, branching stems or vines 3 to 6 ft long. The leaves have 12 to 20 leaflets and terminate with tendrils. When hairy vetch is spring sown, it will bloom and produce some seeds.
Hello cdaly1971. Ken here with The Home Depot in the Chicago area.
Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) is a great cover crop. In the spring, mow it to
the ground and do not till it in. It will provide nitrogen and act as a mulch,
which will prevent weeds and maintain moisture content in the soil. Good
luck with your spring planting. Take care.