Sainfoin Onobrychis vicifolia – Sainfoin provides a superb forage for grazing animals. Unlike many other legumes, it is non-bloating and is known to have anthelmintic properties, so reducing the problems associated with livestock worms. Sainfoin contains condensed tannins, and it is these that protect animals against bloat. It is much more intolerant to water logging than other forage legumes. So, clayey soils with a bad drainage should be avoided. Also acidic soils are not appropriate for the cultivation of Common Sainfoin.
Widely recognised as a sustainable alternative to Alfalfa, Sainfoin offers multiple benefits to livestock farmers and land managers. Its name, derived from the French “sain foin” meaning “healthy hay,” highlights its reputation for promoting animal health, particularly in ruminants. Rich in protein and naturally containing condensed tannins, Sainfoin helps reduce bloating in livestock and supports efficient digestion, while also displaying strong anti-parasitic properties.
Native to parts of Europe and Central Asia, Sainfoin thrives in dry, calcareous conditions and is remarkably drought-tolerant. It performs best in areas with well-drained soils and moderate to low rainfall. Unlike many legumes, Sainfoin does not tolerate waterlogging, making it unsuitable for heavy clay or compacted soils. It prefers alkaline to neutral pH levels and excels in chalky, limestone-rich ground. Once established, it demonstrates excellent persistence and productivity without the need for nitrogen fertilisers, thanks to its natural ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
To ensure optimal growth, Sainfoin should be sown in early spring or late summer to avoid competition with aggressive weeds. It establishes more slowly than other forage crops but offers long-term productivity and sustainability. Full establishment typically occurs within 12–18 months.
Flowering Season: July – September
Flower Colour: Pink or Purple
Size
Height: 10-50cm.
Spread: 10-50cm.
Time to reach full height: 2-5 years.
Growing Conditions
Soil Type: Chalk, Loam, Sand.
Moisture: Moist but well drained, well drained.
Position
How much sun: Full sun.
Aspect: East, South, West facing.
Planting Information
Sainfoin Onobrychis vicifolia seeds should be sown in the autumn or spring either where they are to flower or in seed trays. Cover lightly with soil or compost.
Plant Sainfoin plugs into well drained soil in a sunny position for best results.
Delivery Information
This item will be despatched as soon as stock is available.
Seeds available all year round subject to availability.
All Plants, Bulbs and Seeds are despatched separately from other items and may arrive on a different day via a different carrier.
Produced in the UK from cultivated stock.
Your Delivery
Turf Online aims to give its customers the best possible experience by delivering the best quality products for sale in the UK. Therefore, all our perishable products are harvested fresh to order the day before delivery!
Delivery charges and services vary by different types of turf and delivery location. Charges are confirmed at checkout before payment. If your order includes grass turf, topsoil, Wildflower Turf or Sedum mats, you can choose your delivery day. You should arrange for live products to be delivered on the day you will lay them. Reducing the amount of time the product is stored means significantly less potential nuisance when it comes to installation; certain issues will not have had a chance to rise. All other products are delivered within 5 working days (or usually sooner!).
How Is Your Product Delivered?
We recommend that you only make arrangements for tradespeople to carry out work on your behalf after your turf or other products have been delivered.
PLEASE NOTE: Turf, Wildflower Turf, Sedum Mats and bulk Bag products are delivered on a pallet and can only be delivered to the kerbside.
Most of our products for sale in the UK will be delivered by being transported by a pallet courier that primarily uses 18-tonne rigid trucks that are built for reaching the majority of UK addresses. However, it is possible that your delivery could be made on a larger vehicle. If access or other restrictions prevent vehicles above a certain size reaching your address, or there are other offloading or parking restrictions which could affect the delivery, let us know in the delivery notes section of checkout so that special delivery arrangements can be made. Please make sure you double check the delivery postcode and address carefully as after your order has been shipped, it is likely we will not be able to make any amendments to your order or address.
Delivery is unloaded using a manual pallet trolley which is lowered to the road by the tail lift on the truck. Unfortunately, we do not offer Hiab (truck-mounted crane) deliveries. To offload the pallet, the surface must be flat and level. Since Turf, Wildflower Turf, Sedum and topsoil can be heavy, and the pallet trolley pulled by the driver has small wheels, pallets cannot be delivered onto soil, grass or gravel – a tarmac or paved surface is required.
Kerbside delivery means that our products for sale in the UK is delivered as close as possible to the delivery address you provide. Our helpful drivers will do their best to place your delivery where you wish, such as a driveway, but this is at their discretion. If your delivery address is hard to find or the property is a new build, consider using what3words to pinpoint your delivery location. More information on what3words can be found in our Help Centre.
For more information on how The Pallet Network delivers our different types of products, please watch this short video.
What Issues Could Arise With Delivery?
If your product delivery cannot be made due to a reason you failed to make us aware of, the full cost of distribution and products will still be charged to you. We are proud that most of our turf deliveries arrive on time. Sometimes, circumstances beyond our control (extreme weather, road accidents, vehicle breakdowns or IT failures) can delay delivery, but we will make every effort to keep you updated in such an event.
