Onobrychis viciifolia - seeds

Onobrychis viciifolia
Green manure

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Marcel, 22/03/2025

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per pack of 100 seeds approximately (500g)

15,90 €

Sku: 215451

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

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A perennial legume cultivated as a forage plant and a green manure. Like all legumes, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil while protecting it from rain erosion. Sainfoin is known for its high hardiness (-10°C) and is particularly well adapted to shallow, limestone, and dry soils. Sow from March to late April at a rate of 400 to 500 grams per 100 m².

Ease of cultivation

Beginner

Height at maturity

80 cm

Spread at maturity

30 cm

Soil moisture

Dry soil

Germination time (days)

14 days

Sowing method

Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat

Sowing period March to June

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Flowering time July to October

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Harvest time April to November

JAN J

FEB F

MAR M

APR A

MAY M

JUN J

JUL J

AUG A

SEP S

OCT O

NOV N

DEC D

Description

Cultivated Sainfoin or Onobrychis viciifolia is a perennial legume that grows to about 80 cm tall, grown as a forage plant and a green manure. Like all legumes, it can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil while protecting it from rain leaching. Sainfoin is known for its good hardiness (-10°C) and is particularly well-suited to shallow, chalky, and dry soils. Sow from March to late April.

Cultivated sainfoin or Onobrychis viciifolia, is a herbaceous plant in the Fabaceae family. It is an upright plant with pinnate leaves, with 6 to 14 pairs of oblong to linear leaflets. The flowers appear in the axils of the upper leaves in long pendulous clusters. They are pink, marked with purple veins. The fruits are small toothed pods. Sainfoin has a strong root system. The plant measures 50 to 70 cm high.

Green manures like cultivated flax are widely used in organically cultivated gardens and have many advantages. They nourish and improve the soil by providing it with various nutrients and stimulating the soil's microbial life. Their roots will loosen the soil, break up compacted areas, and improve aeration. Additionally, the presence of a vegetative cover protects the soil from leaching (nutrient loss in sandy soil), rain compaction (crusting in loamy soil), and erosion (caused by runoff on sloping terrain during heavy rain). This vegetative cover also helps control weed growth. Finally, green manures are often nectar-rich and attract pollinators.

Green manures are sown on uncultivated plots or between rows of vegetables. They are either naturally destroyed by frost or cut before seed formation. Once destroyed, they can be left in place as mulch, shredded and incorporated into the top layers of the soil, or collected and added to compost.

A gardener's tip: just like with vegetable crops, it is important to consider rotations for green manures: don't always sow the same ones in the same place!

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Family sheet

Modified the 5 November 2025 by Solenne 10 min.

White mustard: sowing, growing

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Cultivated in France since the 14th century, white mustard, Sinapis alba, is an annual herbaceous plant that produces large pale yellow seeds used in the making of strong mustard. While their taste is bitter, it is less pungent than that of black or brown mustard. Grown as a green manure, Sinapis alba transforms into organic matter once destroyed by frost or by crushing, which naturally enriches the soil. White mustard covers the ground with its dense clumps, and leaves no room for weeds that it smothers. Its root system also allows water and air to penetrate the soil well, and effectively retains nitrates. This helps prevent pollution of groundwater. The roots of mustard have properties similar to garlic. They are thus a very effective and natural bactericide and nematicide. The plant therefore allows for the disinfection and sanitisation of the soil for a future vegetable garden. Mustard in general includes species from the genus Sinapis, as is the case with white mustard, and species from the genus Brassica. The Sinapis alba (white mustard) is the most suitable as a condiment, although Brassica nigra (black mustard) is also used for this purpose. Prepared mustard is generally made using a mixture of white mustard seeds and black mustard seeds, which are mixed with vinegar, must, or verjuice. [caption id="attachment_86417" align="aligncenter" width="1172"]<a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.com/blogwp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Graines-de-moutarde-blanche-et-noire-1.jpg"><img class="wp-image-86417 size-full" src="https://www.promessedefleurs.com/blogwp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Graines-de-moutarde-blanche-et-noire-1.jpg" alt="White and black mustard seeds" width="1172" height="780" /></a> Mixture of white mustard seeds and black mustard seeds.[/caption] With a melliferous flowering, white mustard is also effective in repelling aphids in the garden. It is grown in open ground in sunny or semi-shaded conditions. Easy to grow, Sinapis alba requires very little maintenance, limited to light watering to keep the soil moist. Here are all our tips on this perfect green manure to improve the quality of your soils.

Harvest

Harvest time April to November

Type of vegetable Green fertilizer

Size of vegetable Medium

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm

Spread at maturity 30 cm

Growth rate normal

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous

Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Onobrychis

Species

viciifolia

Family

Fabaceae

Other common names

Green manure

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Perennial

Product reference • 21545

Planting and care

Direct sowing

Seeds are best sown from February to March or in early September in autumn. Sow by broadcasting on well-prepared soil. Cover the seeds with 1 cm of fine soil or compost, then firm with the back of a rake and water

Maintenance

Water generously in case of prolonged drought.

Cut the young plants before they flower and shred them before burying them where you want to improve your soil.

Seedlings

Sowing period March to June

Sowing method Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat

Germination time (days) 14 days

Care

Soil moisture Tolerant

Disease resistance Good

Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location