As a homesteader, you are likely always looking for ways to improve your land. One of the best ways to do that is by using cover crops. Cover crops can help improve soil health, suppress weeds, and provide food for livestock.
One of the most popular cover crops is crimson clover. In this post, we will show you how to use crimson clover in your garden or yard.
Keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents:
What is Crimson Clover?
Crimson clover is a type of legume that is commonly used as a cover crop or green manure.
It is a short-lived perennial that is often grown in winter or spring, and it gets its name from the deep red color of its flowers.
Crimson clover is relatively easy to grow, and it can be used to improve the soil in a number of ways. For example, it helps to add organic matter to the soil, increase moisture retention, and suppress weeds.
In addition, crimson clover can be used as forage for livestock, and it is also a popular choice for bees and other pollinators.
Overall, crimson clover is a versatile and useful plant that offers many benefits for farmers and gardeners alike.
Why is Crimson Clover a Good Cover Crop?
Crimson clover is a tap-rooted, annual legume that grows to a height of 12-24 inches. It has dark green leaves with a slight purple hue and produces crimson flowers in the spring.
Crimson clover is mostly drought tolerant (it may require some water while getting established) and can be grown in a variety of soil types, making it an ideal cover crop for a range of agricultural applications.
One of the primary benefits of crimson clover is its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. This process, known as nitrogen fixation, helps to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields.
Crimson clover also suppresses weeds and helps to prevent soil erosion.
In addition, the deep roots of this plant help to break up compacted soils and improve drainage. As a result, crimson clover provides a wide range of benefits for both farmers and the environment.
What Exactly is a Cover Crop? Benefits of Cover Cropping
A cover crop is a type of crop that is planted in order to protect the soil from erosion and to add nutrients to the soil.
Cover crops are typically planted in the fall, after the main crop has been harvested.
They are then grow over the winter and are typically killed in the spring before the planting of the next crop. Some common cover crops include rye, oats, clover, vetch, and wheat.
Cover crops can be left to grow on their own, or they can be mowed down and turned into mulch. Either way, they help to improve the health of the soil and to prevent erosion.
Cover crops are an important tool for any farmers. They can provide a number of benefits, including (again) improving soil quality, reducing erosion, and suppressing weeds.
Cover crops can also help to improve water infiltration and increase the organic matter content of the soil.
In addition, they can provide a valuable source of food and shelter for wildlife.
Deer, in particular, love crimson clovers! With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that cover crops like crimson clover are becoming increasingly popular with farmers across the country.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Crimson Clover Cover Crop
In order to achieve the most possible benefits of growing crimson clover, it is important to ensure that crimson clover has the ideal growing conditions.
Crimson clover prefers full sun and well-drained soil. In most places, it can withstand winter weather and will re-emerge in the spring.
Most of the time, crimson clover (also referred to as scarlet clover) I’ll be a perennial but it can also be grown as an annual.
Once established, crimson clover will tolerate drought and cold temperatures. With proper care, crimson clover can provide a number of benefits to your garden or farm.
How to Plant Crimson Clover Seeds
The first step is to prepare the soil. Crimson clover needs well-drained, loamy soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0.
Once the soil is ready, the seeds can be sown. For best results, plant the seeds in early spring, around the same time you would plant peas or beans.
The seeds should be sown at a depth of 1/2 inch and spaced 3-4 inches apart.
Once they are in the ground, water them gently and keep the soil moist until they germinate. With proper care, crimson clover seeds will sprout in 14-21 days.
You can thin the seedlings later on if you’d like, but this isn’t necessary.
When Should You Plant a Crimson Clover?
Though it is often planted as an ornamental flower, crimson clover can also be used for crop rotation and as a soil-enhancing green manure crop.
When deciding when to plant crimson clover, it is important to consider the climate in which it will be grown.
In general, crimson clover grows best in cool weather and does not tolerate heat well. It is typically planted in the fall in most regions, as this gives the plant a chance to establish itself before the hot summer months.
However, in areas with mild winters, crimson clover can also be planted in early spring.
Regardless of when it is planted, crimson clover should be given plenty of water so that it can establish a strong root system.
With proper care, crimson clover will provide your garden with beautiful blooms for many seasons to come.
Caring for Crimson Clover
Caring for crimson clover is relatively easy. The plant does best in rich, loamy soil that is well-drained. Crimson clover also prefers a moderate amount of water.
Gardeners should water the plant deeply and allow the soil to dry out somewhat between watering.
Crimson clover is a fairly low-maintenance plant, but it will benefit from occasional fertilization.
A slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring will help the plant to develop strong roots and produce an abundance of blooms throughout the growing season.
That said, you don’t have to provide your crimson clover with any fertilizer if you don’t want to – it will do just fine on its own.
With a little care, crimson clover will provide color and beauty to any garden.
Common Crimson Clover Pests and Diseases
Crimson clover is a popular cover crop and attractor of beneficial insects, but it is not without its pests and diseases.
One of the most common problems is powdery mildew, which appears as a white powder on the leaves and stems. Left unchecked, powdery mildew can severely damage the plant.
Another common disease is root rot, which can be caused by several different fungi.
Root rot usually starts in wet or poorly drained soils and can quickly kill the plant. As for pests, aphids are the most common problem.
These small insects feed on the sap of the plant, causing leaves to yellow and wilt.
Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for both pests and diseases. Most of the time, crimson clover, when properly planted and cared for, will require no pest or disease control.
It is a hardy plant that doesn’t need a lot of attention.
Making sure your soils are well-draining and ferrite is your best line of defense against most pests and diseases.
Killing Crimson Clover Cover Crops to Plant
Crimson clover is often planted as a cover crop, providing valuable nutrients and able to improve the soil structure.
However, in order to take full advantage of its benefits, crimson clover must be killed off before planting the main crop.
There are a few ways to do this, but the most common method is to simply mow it down. This can be done with a standard lawn mower, set to a high setting.
Another option is to use a weed whacker or other similar tool.
Whichever method you choose, make sure to do it at least two weeks before planting the main crop. This will give the clover time to decompose and release its nutrients into the soil.
In addition, it will also help to prevent any competition between the clover and the main crop.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your crimson clover cover crop provides maximum benefit to your garden.
You can also harvest crimson clover, if you choose.
Crimson clover in the spring, before it sets seed. The entire plant can be cut down and used as mulch or compost.
Alternatively, the leaves can be harvested and used as greens, while the flowers can be used to add color and flavor to salads.
Other Varieties of Clover to Use as Cover Crops
In addition to crimson clover, there are a number of other varieties of clover that can be used as cover crops. These include the following:
White Clover
White clover is a forgiving plant that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It is also quick to establish itself, making it an ideal choice for covering bare ground quickly.
In addition, white clover is known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it an excellent choice for boosting fertility.
Dutch Clover
Dutch clover is another option for those looking to add nitrogen to the soil. It is also very tolerant of dry conditions and heavy soils.
However, Dutch clover can be aggressive, so it is important to monitor its growth closely.
Alsike Clover
Alsike clover is another good option for areas that are prone to drought. It has a deep root system that helps to aerate the soil and increase water infiltration.
In addition, Alsike clover produces white flowers that are rich in nectar, making it a good choice for attracting pollinators.
Red Clover
Red clover is yet another variety of clover that can be used as a cover crop. It is also known for its nitrogen-fixing ability. It is an excellent choice for crop rotation.
In addition, red clover cover crops help to improve soil structure and drainage while also suppressing weeds.
Is Crimson Clover a Good Cover Crop?
If you’re looking for a cover crop that can fix nitrogen levels in the soil, suppress weeds, and provide grazing for livestock, crimson clover should be at the top of your list.
These tips will help you plant and manage this legume to get the most benefit from it.
Have you tried growing crimson clover? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
Rebekah is a high-school English teacher n New York, where she lives on a 22 acre homestead. She raises and grows chickens, bees, and veggies such as zucchini (among other things).