What's a straightforward legume to add nitrogen to a paddock over winter?
We recommend our VNS Field Peas as a practical winter legume for green manure or cover cropping. They fix nitrogen when inoculated with a Group E (pea) inoculant, and produce useful biomass to protect and feed the soil. Sow in autumn to early winter after a reliable break and avoid waterlogged ground. Talk to us about the sowing rate for your purpose.
What does VNS mean on field peas?
VNS stands for "variety not stated". Our VNS Field Peas are sold without a named variety, so they are best suited to general uses such as green manure, cover crops and grazing, where specific varietal traits are less important. If you need known disease or salinity tolerance, our Coogee Field Peas are the named option.
What legume can I put in a winter cover crop mix with oats or rye?
Our VNS Field Peas are a good legume to add to a winter cover crop with oats or Cereal Rye (Ryecorn). The peas fix nitrogen, which helps offset nitrogen tie-up from the cereal, and the cereal gives the vines something to climb. Our Cover Crop Plus Winter Mix and Green Manure Mix are ready-made alternatives.
When should I sow field peas in WA?
We suggest sowing field peas such as our VNS Field Peas in autumn to early winter, after a reliable break when there is good soil moisture. Inoculate the seed with a Group E (pea) inoculant before sowing. Sow at a depth where the large seed reaches moisture, and avoid waterlogged ground or sowing too early into warm, dry soil after a false break.
Can I graze a pea crop, and are there any stock issues?
Yes, we recommend VNS Field Peas as grazing for sheep and cattle. Introduce stock gradually, as with any new feed. Peas are usually sown with oats or cereal rye, which gives the vines something to climb and balances the feed. They can also be cut for hay with oats or brown-manured at flowering.
Do field peas cope with waterlogging?
Field peas, including our VNS Field Peas, generally don't like waterlogging and do best on well-drained soils. Wet feet can cause root disease and poor growth. For wetter paddocks, consider Cereal Rye (Ryecorn), which tolerates limited waterlogging, or a waterlogging-tolerant clover. For ground that drains but has low pH or salinity issues, our Coogee Field Peas are a better named option.
Can VNS field peas be cut for hay?
Yes, field peas such as our VNS Field Peas can be cut for hay, often in a mix with oats to improve drying and bulk. Cut before the pods fill too much to balance quality and yield. Peas add protein to the hay. Our Silahay Pasture Mix, a ryegrass and clover blend, is also designed with silage and hay in mind.
What's a good green manure to brown manure before a canola crop?
Field peas are a common choice, and our VNS Field Peas suit this well. Brown manuring means spraying out the crop at flowering and leaving the residue on the surface ahead of canola or cereal, which captures nitrogen, conserves moisture and helps control weeds. Inoculate the seed with a Group E (pea) inoculant so the peas fix nitrogen, and spray out before weeds set seed.
Do field peas regenerate the next year like clover?
No, field peas are annuals and don't regenerate like a hard-seeded clover, so we recommend resowing our VNS Field Peas each time. Some volunteer plants may appear, but they won't form a reliable stand. For a self-regenerating legume pasture, look at our sub clovers or our Self Regeneration Mix.
I want a winter legume for a mixed cover crop on a lifestyle block, what's easy to grow?
Our VNS Field Peas are easy to grow and a good choice for small blocks. They fix nitrogen when inoculated with a Group E inoculant, suppress weeds and can be grazed or dug in. Sow them in autumn with a cereal such as oats. Our Green Manure Mix or Cover Crop Plus Winter Mix make it even simpler.
