GREEN MANURE Crimson Clover Seeds
Botanical Name: Trifolium incarnatum
Nitrogen-rich legume.
Bee-friendly and fast-growing.
Cool-season annual cover crop.
Crimson Clover is a vibrant, soil-enhancing legume ideal for cool-season cover cropping. With its bright crimson flower spikes and dense leafy growth, it fixes nitrogen, builds organic matter, suppresses weeds, and draws in pollinators. It’s a popular choice for orchards, veggie gardens, pasture rotations, and erosion control in temperate and subtropical climates.
- Excellent nitrogen fixer for reducing synthetic fertiliser use.
- Forms dense ground cover to suppress weeds and protect soil.
- Bright crimson flowers support bees and beneficial insects.
- Ideal for soil improvement, rotations, and boosting biodiversity.
- Hardy and easy to grow in a wide range of well-drained soils.
Plant Details:
- Plant Type: Cool-season annual legume
- Height: 30–60 cm
- Frost Tolerance: Yes – performs well in cooler climates
Sowing Information:
- Sow When:
Temperate: March–September
Subtropical: April–July
Tropical: May–July (dry winter season)
Cool: March–May or August–October - Germination: 7–14 days
- Depth: 0.5–1 cm deep
- Position: Full sun
- Sow Where: Broadcast or drill into prepared garden beds or cropping fields
- Soil Type: Well-drained loam or clay loam, pH 6.0–7.0 preferred
- Spacing: 20–30 cm between rows if drilling
When to Sow Crimson Clover in Your Climate
| Climate Zone | Best Planting Time | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Temperate | March–September | Ideal for cool-season rotations; mow before flowering to retain nitrogen. |
| Subtropical | April–July | Plant in cooler months to avoid humidity stress and seedling damping-off. |
| Tropical | May–July | Best grown in the dry season for strong flowering and root development. |
| Cool | March–May or August–October | Sow when frost risk is low; protect young seedlings from harsh chill. |
| Arid | Autumn | Sow with rainfall or irrigate during germination; mulch for moisture retention. |
Quick Growing Guide
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Germination Time | 7–14 days |
| Sowing Depth | 0.5–1 cm |
| Watering | Keep soil moist during establishment; drought-tolerant when mature. |
| Growth Period | 6–10 weeks before incorporation |
| Incorporation | Cut before flowering and dig in 3–6 weeks before replanting. |