If you allow the vetch to set seeds it can regrow, but if you cut it before it sets seeds you won't. Very often I will find vetch growing where I seeded Cereal Rye because very often that is grown with Cereal Rye and the same with Buckwheat, but that is because there is Hairy Vetch seed in with the other seed not because it self seeded, in my garden. It is not a big problem, and it helps add organic matter to your soil and is a legume which means it may also contribute some Nitrogen.

kimmsr, thanks for answering. I've never even seen hairy vetch and not even sure it will grow here but like I said I've been reading alot about it, to improve soil, smother out weeds and to use as mulch. Do you know if its harmful to pets? I have 3 dogs that like to eat on stuff growing in my yard occasionally.

Thanks,
Gemfire

I've not seen that Hairy Vetch would cause any more distress to a dogs digestive system than any other green plant material. Just why dogs, and some cats, will eat grass or other green plants which will cause them to vomit is unknown, but they do. Cocoa bean hull mulches are far more likely to cause problems with pets then the vetches, grasses, or clovers.

It should grow in Arizona. Try it and see what happens, then report back. Just weedwhack it to the ground and plant through the debris.

The 1-3 foot deep taproot is not impressively deep. Okra will go down 6 feet, and some squash will too.

Not toxic - it's used to feed livestock in Europe.

Thanks for the answers everyone. Lazygarden, when I was thinking of the long taproot to maybe break up caliche I wasn't just thinking about in my garden, I was thinking about my whole back yard. I just don't think I could eat that much okra. LOL. If I can get some Hairy Vetch seed reasonably priced I'll try some in a small area and another small area with Alfalfa and see which does the best. Will wait until later in the year as its too hot to plant anything here right now. Will post again next Spring and let everyone know the results.

Thanks Again,
Gemfire

Johnny's has reasonable prices on hairy vetch and other cover crops. I'd follow their advice and get some inoculant as well.

They're also very knowledgeable and a good company to deal with.

I got hairy vetch, sweet clover, red clover, summer alfalfa all from Johnny's and pre-inoculated.

How deep is the caliche? And is it real caliche or just real hard dirt?

One way to break through it in a few spots if the drainage is totally blocked and the caliche is close to the surface is dig to the caliche, use a pick or crowbar to knock a small hole and fill the hole with pool acid (HCL preferred).

Let it stop foaming, add more acid to the hole. It's dissolving the caliche.