Crimson clover: varieties, growing and uses

A legume with a visible purpose

Root nodules can enable nitrogen fixation. This makes crimson clover interesting, but gives no fixed number of grams of nutrients to each bed. Growth, soil and management matter. Do not choose it solely to avoid fertilising ever again. If it survives winter and flowers, you will see distinctive red elongated heads. Allow enough time instead of sowing hastily just before the next early vegetable.

Soil and insects require consideration

A small flowering patch brings colour and visitors to your garden, while a larger young patch may be incorporated sooner. Decide where both functions belong. Mixtures may provide more flowers but sometimes contain mustard or other families to consider. Label a mixture honestly as a mixture; it is not a new clover cultivar. Single-species seed makes identification, termination and comparison easier in a small bed.

Scent, flavour and use

This selection is intended for green manure and flowering. The flower colour is not a recommendation to eat unchecked leaves or seeds.

Care, cutting and harvesting

Sow Trifolium incarnatum within the chosen batch’s window. Prepare a fine seedbed surface for the small seed and keep dry germination moist. Winter survival depends on location and conditions.

No fixed fruit pruning schedule; end the crop according to development and growing plans.

Cut or incorporate the cover when it suits the following crop. Leave flowers only if you deliberately manage the space and possible seed formation.