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About the Author & Content Disclaimer
The advice in this post is based on 10+ years of hands-on experience testing seeds in our sandy Suffolk Garden.
While I love sharing my journey and the things I discover, please understand that I am not a certified professional in gardening or wildlife. I ground my content by deep-diving into reliable books and expert resources, but please use my advice only as a guide for your specific garden.
I use and sell the same UK-sourced, wildlife-approved seeds in my own garden that you see throughout this site. Shop the seeds here.
If you notice any inaccuracies or have additional insights to share, please feel free to contact me via this website's contact forms.
Type of weed: annual
Family: Leguminosae
Uses: Edible
Poisonous: Uncooked seeds are toxic
Vetches are considered weeds by most gardeners, but they are a beautiful and versatile plant that can be used for a variety of purposes. They are known for their scrambling habit of growth, their tendril-tipped leaves, and their nitrogen-fixing abilities.
Personally I find common vetch very attractive and don't mind leaving the one or two that pop up in my garden every year to do their own thing. Especially as they are so good for wildlife and the soil.
Vetches are members of the legume family, which also includes broad beans, peas, and sweet peas. This means that they have the ability to fix nitrogen from the air into the soil, which can help to improve soil fertility.
Common vetch (Vicia sativa) was a widely grown species that was often used as a green manure crop. It was sown densely in the autumn to smother weeds over the winter. When dug in before the plants set seed, common vetch adds nitrogen and organic matter to the soil.
Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) is another popular species that is known for its copious production. This makes it a valuable plant for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Hairy vetch can also be used as a green manure crop or as a forage crop for livestock.
Vetches are beneficial for wildlife in a number of ways. Their flowers provide food for pollinators, and their seeds are eaten by birds and other small animals. Vetches also provide cover and shelter for wildlife. Common vetch also has an abundance of pollen-rich flowers, it even produces ''extrafloral nectaries'' producing even more nectar in drops along the stems.
Vetch seeds are technically edible, but they are not very tasty and require careful preparation as the uncooked seeds are toxic to humans. They are best used as a green manure crop or as a forage crop for livestock.
Vetches are versatile and helpful plants that can be used to improve soil fertility, attract pollinators, and provide food and shelter for wildlife. They are a valuable addition to any garden.
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