Vetch

Vetches are leguminous plants, so they do not require nitrogen fertilization. Seed costs are higher than for cruciferous crops, however. In Belgium, vetches are sown exclusively as green cover crops. On drought-sensitive soils or in dry years in general, the rate of soil cover can be disappointing.

Summer vetches

Summer vetches are sown in the period from July to 10 August. The crop will then certainly not flower and it will freeze very easily. In addition to the application of organic matter, the speed of soil cover and the resistance to lodging plays the most important role in the selection of varieties.

The Belgian variety list does not include summer vetch varieties.
Winter vetches

Winter vetches are sown from September 15 to October 15. This later sowing date offers an alternative to sowing a green cover crop after an early maize harvest. Winter vetches have good frost resistance, provide an average to good ground cover and can still fix nitrogen themselves, although the period is less suitable. In any case, they can retain nitrogen, so that leaching is limited.

The Belgian variety list does not include winter vetch varieties.

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