Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
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Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Common vetch: when and how to prune
Vicia sativa
Common vetch is best pruned in June–August.
| Pruning months | June–August |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–August |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Common vetch: when to prune it?
In July–August, after the seed has set; as green manure in June, when flowering begins.
Common vetch: how to prune it?
- In a flower strip: only mow once most of the pods are ripe, leave the cuttings for a few days and then remove them.
- As green manure: cut the plants when flowering begins and dig them in shallowly or leave them as mulch.
- Leave the roots in the soil: as they break down, the nitrogen from the nodules becomes available to the next crop.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: June–August.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not eat the pods or seeds, even though they look like peas.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Common vetch · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.