Quick Guide Latin Name: Vicia villosa Hardiness: Hardy Annual or Winter Annual (planted in fall) Growth Rate: Slow Germination: 7-14 days Planting Dates: Feb 21-Jun 1 or Jul 25-Sep 15 Seeding Rate: 300g-600g per 1000 sq. ft (26-30kg per acre) Max Planting Depth: 0.25 0.5 or Broadcast and lightly tamp into soil Growth Habit: Mature into 4-7 foot long vines that produce small stalks of purple blooms Benefits: Adds nitrogen to the soil (150 lbs/ac), roots loosen soil to improve tilth, tolerates cold temperatures. Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full sun Usual Seed Life: 5-6 years Cover Crop Management: Best mowed once flowering has started and before seeds have developed