Their ability to make rapid growth in cold weather makes them useful as an early smother crop and short-term spring green manure. In most of New England, field peas will continue to produce biomass throughout the summer. The crop should be turned under just before flowering when nitrogen fixation is at its peak. If winter survival is a necessary trait then chose Madison, otherwise the VNS type will suffice. Hairy vetch is a viny crop and will make a thick vegetative mat unless sown with a grain or other erect plant for support.
Incorporation can be a problem if matting occurs.
Requires garden combo inoculant. The plant develops a primary, which dies before or during the second year of growth. Perenniality eventually depends upon the secondary root systems from the nodes of stolons and upon the proportion and rate of auxiliary buds developing into stolons rather than flowers. Contains a high percentage of crude protein and amino acids. Bloat is particularly associated with grazing of lush green legumes, such as white clover, but proper management and methods of control can minimize the danger.