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...
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
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:
25g
15m2
50g
30m2
100g
60m2
250g
150m2
When to Sow Crimson Clover Green Manure Seeds
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
UK & Ireland Deliveries
All orders are usually dispatched the next working working day and are delivered either via Royal Mail 2nd Class Delivery (3-5 working day service) or 48 Hour Parcel Courier (depending on size and weight). These delivery times shown are to be used as a guide and are not guaranteed.
Please note, we are unable to deliver seeds to countries outside the UK and Ireland.
Review by John T. on 23 Oct 2015review stating Crimson Clover Green Manure Seeds
I sowed the above in August and they have been more or less a total failure. And yet they have had the same treatment and weather conditions as the mustard seed I bought at the same time, and they have thrived. Your comments would be appreciated. John Thompson
Review by Stephen C. on 20 Sep 2015review stating Crimson Clover
I've recently grown this on my allotment as a soil conditioner; germination was good despite very dry weather, and there was good growth resulting in a worthwhile body of material to harvest. The roots clearly developed well as the soil is now beautifully loose and friable, which is something for London clay overlaying on a gravel bed.
Review by Lyn P. on 10 Jun 2015review stating Does what it says on the tin
Accidentally ordered too much seed but worked out great in the end. I had a few problems in that I sewed too soon and the frost got the first seeds. I then reseeded the patch, followed the instructions to broadcast and rake in but ended up with a few clumpy patches and the weeds gave the clover a good run for the money. Having said that, in the en...Read MoreRead more about Accidentally ordered too much seed but
d, I had a great weed-suppressing crop of clover but did have to add wire and foil over the allotment to keep the pigeons at bay. Overall, fab service, fast delivery, very fertile seeds and all my little problems you can put down to inexperience. So, rake in carefully to spread evenly, provide bird deterent and don’t plant in cold weather! Thanks team I’ll be back next year :) Read LessRead less about Accidentally ordered too much seed but
Review by Simon R. on 30 Oct 2015review stating None came up
Planted in late August and early September in good conditions on good soil. No plants came up at all. Am hoping a sowing in April with the remaining seed will do better, otherwise I will be very unimpressed.
Review by John T. on 23 Oct 2015review stating Crimson Clover Green Manure Seeds
I sowed the above in August and they have been more or less a total failure. And yet they have had the same treatment and weather conditions as the mustard seed I bought at the same time, and they have thrived. Your comments would be appreciated. John Thompson
Review by Stephen C. on 20 Sep 2015review stating Crimson Clover
I've recently grown this on my allotment as a soil conditioner; germination was good despite very dry weather, and there was good growth resulting in a worthwhile body of material to harvest. The roots clearly developed well as the soil is now beautifully loose and friable, which is something for London clay overlaying on a gravel bed.
Review by Lyn P. on 10 Jun 2015review stating Does what it says on the tin
Accidentally ordered too much seed but worked out great in the end. I had a few problems in that I sewed too soon and the frost got the first seeds. I then reseeded the patch, followed the instructions to broadcast and rake in but ended up with a few clumpy patches and the weeds gave the clover a good run for the money. Having said that, in the en...Read MoreRead more about Accidentally ordered too much seed but
d, I had a great weed-suppressing crop of clover but did have to add wire and foil over the allotment to keep the pigeons at bay. Overall, fab service, fast delivery, very fertile seeds and all my little problems you can put down to inexperience. So, rake in carefully to spread evenly, provide bird deterent and don’t plant in cold weather! Thanks team I’ll be back next year :) Read LessRead less about Accidentally ordered too much seed but
Review by Simon R. on 30 Oct 2015review stating None came up
Planted in late August and early September in good conditions on good soil. No plants came up at all. Am hoping a sowing in April with the remaining seed will do better, otherwise I will be very unimpressed.
