Common vetch

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny position if the soil is reliably moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best grown in semi-shade. The sub-species V. sativa leucosperma. Ser. is the form usually grown for food. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information Temperature Converter Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit: Celsius Fahrenheit: The PFAF Bookshop Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants , Edible Perennials , Edible Trees , Edible Shrubs , Woodland Gardening , and Temperate Food Forest Plants . Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical) . Shop Now

Edible Parts: Leaves Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Tea Seed - cooked[22, 74]. Not very palatable nor very digestible but it is very nutritious[2, 115]. The seed can be dried, ground into a powder and mixed with cereal flour to make bread, biscuits, cakes etc. The beans compliment the protein in the cereal making it more complete[K]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Leaves, young shoots and young pods - cooked[105, 177, 183]. The leaves are a tea substitute. References More on Edible Uses

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in situ from late winter to early summer and again in the autumn.