Green Manure Crimson Clover Seeds
Green Manure Seeds from Sow Seeds
Crimson Clover Green Manure is a good choice for smothering weeds, fixing nitrogen from the air and is a fast-growing bulky green manure. It has deep roots that penetrate the soil and bulky furry foliage that once dug in helps to improve soil structure.
It is not always winter hardy especially if it is particularly cold, but if it does get frosted just leave the foliage on the soil surface as a mulch, then dig in during spring. When it does make it through winter it will produce lovely crimson flowers that are very attractive and loved by bees and other beneficial insects. Cut down or dig in before setting seed.
Clover is part of the pea family and fixes nitrogen from the air in its root nodules. (These are the little pink nodes found on the roots of the legume family). When chopped up and dug into the soil the nitrogen store is released fairly quickly.
If sown with a 'nitrogen lifter' like Italian Rye or Forage Rye the nitrogen will be released at a slower rate sometimes up to 6 months later so use will depend on when the following crop will be planted and the nitrogen needed. This is very important to large scale farmers and useful for small home/allotment growers. Sow clover before brassicas in a crop rotation plan to release nitrogen to the following leafy greens.
Need Some Help On Green Manure?
Then we have 2 invaluable resources on our website that will provide the answers to all of your Green Manure questions:
1. A Beginners Guide that covers everything you ever wanted to know about Green Manure in 5 quick and simple steps - read it [HERE]
2. How To Choose Which Green Manure To Sow...a summary of all the Green Manures showing which soil types, plant families, and benefits that each Green Manure can bring to your veg patch or allotment - read it [HERE]
Crimson Clover Green Manure Seed Information
When to Sow: | April, May, June, July, August, September. | |||||||||||||||||
Growing period: | 3-18 months. Grows to a height of c.40cm |
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Ideal Soil Type: | Loamy, Sandy. | |||||||||||||||||
Nitrogen fixer: | Yes. | |||||||||||||||||
How to Sow: | Prepare the soil by roughly digging it over and removing any weeds. Lightly tread the soil, and then sow the seeds by broadcast sowing (i.e. scattering evenly) for good coverage. Rows can be sown but are not as good for weed suppression. Rake the soil and water well. In dry periods you may need to water until the green manure is established. | |||||||||||||||||
Care: | The green manure should be cut down before flowering when the stems are nice and soft as they decompose quicker, retain more beneficial nutrients and are easier to incorporate into the soil. They can be dug into the soil by turning over into the top 15cms or left on the top as a mulch, the worms will drag down the organic matter and help to aerate the soil. | |||||||||||||||||
Sow Rate: | 1.6 grams per square metre. | |||||||||||||||||
Pack Weight / Area: |
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When to Sow Crimson Clover Green Manure Seeds
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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