Prickly Milk Vetch

Prickly Milk Vetch should be watered when the soil surface is dry to the touch, usually twice weekly during the growing season. Make sure soil is well drained and not soggy, and water until moisture is seen on the surface. During the summer, water more frequently due to higher temperatures and faster evaporation. During winter, reduce watering to once a week or less, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. If the plant goes dormant, reduce watering to once every month or 2. However, extreme conditions may require more frequent watering to keep the soil from drying out too much. It's best to err on the side of caution and slightly overwater instead of underwatering for best plant health.

Prickly Milk Vetch prefers full sunlight and can tolerate short periods of partial shade. It does best when planted in an area with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. It can tolerate temperatures from -40°F to 115°F and grows in a variety of soils, including rocky ones. Watering should be done during periods of drought or when the soil is dry. It prefers moderate to occasional irrigation, and it can grow in areas that are very dry.

Pruning of Prickly Milk Vetch should be done twice a year: once in the spring and once in the late summer. In the spring, the plant should be pruned to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as any flowers that may have emerged in the dormant season. Pruning at this time helps to promote healthy growth of the plant during the growing season and allows the plant to produce more flowers. In late summer, a harder pruning should be done; this will help ensure that the plant will retain its shape and form. All shoots from the main canes should be carefully pruned back to a length of 6-8 inches, up to 1/3 of the entire plant should also be pruned to encourage healthier growth. Pruning at this time will also help ensure that the plant will produce more vibrant flowers in the spring.