Description

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is an unbeatable companion plant. It fixes atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules which is released into local neighboring plants as it decomposes.

They are very resilient and act as living mulch, encouraging soil friability. Red clover grows in many different types of soil and under many different conditions.  

Red clover produces beautiful dark pink flowers attracting many beneficial insects to your crop. 

Red Clover grows upright in long shoots and has a shorter life-cycle than white clovers.

When planting red clovers, it is best to plant a mixture of red and white clover together.

 

Benefits 

Nitrogen Production

• The ability to improve nitrogen in soil is one of Red Clover's most popular uses. This happens through the process of nitrogen fixation. Red Clover is a legume, which forms a symbiotic relationship with a type of mycorrhizae bacteria in the Rhizibium Genus which forms nodules on the plants roots. The nodules formed by the bacteria take in nitrogen from the atmosphere and make it into proteins that the plant can use to grow. The interaction between the plants roots and the soil leads to improved soil quality without the need for fertilizer, making Red Clover a great choice for your garden.

Resilient & fast growing

• Red Clover is the most resilient of the clover genus. This makes Red Clover an excellent ground cover crop as it withstands high traffic areas, harsh conditions and can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions, including lower quality soils.
• Red Clover also works well as a low maintenance ground cover as it can tolerate drought conditions and high temperatures.

Soil Compaction

• Red Clover works well to prevent top soil compaction and helps to break up soil because of its deep and interconnected root system.

Attracts Beneficial Insects

• Red Clover rarely attracts harmful pests and is helpful in attracting beneficial insects to your garden with its flowers. These insects include bumblebees and honeybees which aid in pollination of plants. As well as this, Red Clover attracts parasitoid wasps which help to control pests like aphids and whiteflies. 

Erosion Prevention

• The deep and complex root system of Red Clover make it a great option when trying to prevent soil runoff and erosion, keeping key nutrients for your plants and soil in place.

Weed Suppressant

• Anyone who has tried to get rid of a clover patch in their garden know that the plant can be competitive. Because of its complex root system once it is established, Red Clover competes well with weeds and is great at keeping unwanted weeds at bay.

Living Mulch

• Planting Red Clover as a ground cover works great as as a living mulch system as the plants do not grow very tall, allowing the soil to retain moisture and remain moist.
• Protects the soil from exposure to heat and radiation  
• For the living mulch system to be most beneficial, management is the key. Ensure that the living mulch system does not compete with the main crop for light, nutrients and moisture. Consider planting White Clover once the main crop is established.

 

How to Use

• Season: Spring to Autumn
• Germinate 7-10 days
• Depth: 1 cm
• Spacing: 25 x 25 cm
• Harvest: 60 – 70 days
• Height: 20 - 80 cm
• Flowering Season: Summer
• Exposure: Full Sun/Partial Shade

Ideal Growing Conditions:

• For the living mulch system to be most beneficial, management is the key. Ensure that the living mulch system does not compete with the main crop for light, nutrients and moisture. Consider planting White Clover once the main crop is established. Therefore sow in spring or summer as soon as the main crop has established itself.
• Mulching: Sow in autumn so that plants can become established before cold weather comes. Cut the clover just below the surface, late in winter/early spring and allow the foliage to die down naturally into the soil surface, or alternatively take the green matter / green manure and give your compost pile a high organic nitrogen boost. 
• Red Clover often requires a little bit of phosphorus and potassium fertilization in early spring, before seeds are sown.
• Clovers get Nitrogen from the air.
• Common diseases that attack red clover are brown spot and powdery mildew.
• Fungal infections can also affect the condition of leaves – plants wilt, turn yellow and wither.

 

 For placement of large orders contact us at: office@greenhouston.co.za