Common Vetch (Vicia sativa)

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Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; tolerates cool, open grassland conditions; avoid intense midday sun in hot climates

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Watering Keep soil evenly moist during active growth; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot

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Temperature Thrives in cool temperate conditions; tolerates light spring frost but not extreme summer heat above 28°C

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Leaf: Pinnately compound with 4–8 pairs of linear to oblong leaflets; terminates in a branched tendril for climbing
Flower: Pea-like, purple to pale pink, clustered in axillary racemes of 1–4 blooms
Stem: Slender, angular, trailing or climbing via tendrils for support

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Watering

Keep soil consistently moist; water when the top 2 cm of soil feels dry

Fertilization

Diluted balanced feed once every 2 weeks. Use low-nitrogen feed to support flowering and seed production without excessive foliage growth

Banana peel compost tea：Fully compost banana peels to eliminate odor; dilute 1:20 with water for root drenching to support bloom development

Pruning

Trim trailing stems to prevent overcrowding in garden beds and improve airflow
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage extended flowering when grown as an ornamental
Cut back foliage to ground level after seed harvest for cover crop residue management

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Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: Ingestion may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and mild lethargy

Humans: Raw seeds may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities due to alkaloid content

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Culture: N/A

Usage: Forage crop for livestock, cover crop to improve soil nitrogen levels, ornamental wildflower