Fernald's Milk Vetch

Fernald's Milk Vetch should be watered deeply and infrequently. Watering should depend on the season. In the spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, it should be watered 1 to 2 times per month or when the soil becomes dry. In the fall and winter, watering should be reduced to 1 time per month or when the soil becomes dry. Too much water can cause root rot in Fernald's Milk Vetch so it is important not to over water.

Fernald's Milk Vetch is a perennial plant native to the western United States, and it requires full sunlight in order to thrive. In the wild, this plant can be found in open, sunny places where it absorbs as much light as possible. It does best in full sun, and in areas where it receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Morning sun is preferred, as midday and afternoon sun can be too intense in some environments. In order to flourish, Fernald's Milk Vetch should not be planted in shady areas or places that get less than 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

The best time to prune Fernald's Milk Vetch (Astragalus robbinsii var. fernaldii) is in late winter or early spring. Pruning should be done shortly before the start of new growth in the spring, which typically occurs in early April. Pruning can be done to reduce the overall size of the plant, remove dead, diseased, or broken branches, or shape the plant. Depending on the desired end product, pruning can range from light to heavy. For most applications, light to moderate pruning is recommended. Be sure to sanitize pruning equipment after each use to prevent the spread of disease.