Vicia sativa

Plant Details

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General Information

Scientific name: Vicia sativa

Also known as: Winter Tares, Garden vetch, Subterranean vetch

Images: Google Images

Plant Properties

Layer: Climb

Format: Smal

Height: 1.20 m

Width: - m

Growth Rate: Fast

Leaf: -

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 4-8

Soil Moisture:
Moist

Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)

pH:
Acid Neutral Basic

Light:
Half shade, Sun

Usage properties

Edible part:
Leaves, Tea, Seed

Edibility:
(3)

Medicinal:
(0)

Features:
Nitrogen

Description

Cooked seeds are not very tasty or easy to digest, but they are highly nutritious. The seeds can be dried, ground into powder, and mixed with grain flour to make bread, cookies, pastries, and so on. The protein in the grain is complemented by the beans, providing complete nutritional value. However, caution must be exercised; see the information above about toxicity. The leaves, young shoots, and young pods can also be cooked. The leaves can be used as a substitute for tea.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/08

End of Harvest: 30/09

Guilds

Guild Information

Click on a plant in the diagram for more information.

Guild Details

Guild	Description
Prunus domestica Plum	Vicia sativa fixes nitrogen in the soil, benefiting the growth of Prunus domestica, which is a heavy feeder.
Vicia sativa Winter Tares, Garden vetch, Subterranean vetch	The canopy of Acer saccharum provides shade, which can help reduce stress on Vicia sativa during hot weather.
Corylus avellana Hazel	Corylus avellana helps provide a degree of shelter, promoting healthier growth for Vicia sativa through protection from wind.
Sambucus nigra European elder	Sambucus nigra attracts beneficial insects that can help in pollination, boosting Vicia sativa yields.
Thymus vulgaris Common Thyme, Garden thyme, Wild Thyme	Thymus vulgaris can help deter pests that might harm Vicia sativa while also improving the flavor of crops nearby.