Plant Details

Vicia sativa

Winter Tares, Garden vetch, Subterranean vetch

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Vicia sativa.

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General Information

Scientific name: Vicia sativa
Also known as: Winter Tares, Garden vetch, Subterranean vetch

Plant Properties

Layer: Climber
Size: Small
Height: 1.20 m
Width: - m
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf: None

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 4-8
Soil Moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Usage properties

Edible part:
Leaves, Tea, Seed
Edibility:
(3)
Medicinal:
(0)
Features:
Nitrogen fixer

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