Veza peluda / Veza de invierno (Vicia villosa) semillas

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.