Days to Maturity: 60 to 90
Non-GMO Clover Trio Cover Crop is an organic, affordable, and sustainable way to rejuvenate garden soil, including in container gardens and raised beds. This blend of perennial varieties works in tandem to restore nutrients, suppress weeds, control erosion, and improve tilth and soil structure, including compacted soils.
This clover mix can be used as a long-term perennial ground cover as well as a short-term cover crop for soil improvement. It attracts wildlife and is often chosen for forage and food plotting. The combination of three different species of clover prevents a monoculture from taking over. And it does the job beautifully with its white, pink, and red flowers, which also attract beneficial pollinators. But, if allowed to flower, you may see volunteers return to the garden after termination.
Clover is a nitrogen fixer. Clover roots put nitrogen back into the soil as it grows. Once decomposed, it becomes organic matter, or "green manure," which increases nutrients in the soilreducing the need for fertilizersand improves nutrient delivery as well as moisture retention and drainage.
Clover seeds mature quickly. Traditionally, clover is planted in the fall as summer temperatures are waning, tilled back into the soil around the first frost, and allowed to decompose for spring nutrients. However, clover seeds can be sown nearly any time of year as a nitrogen-rich companion plant.
To plant, scatter or broadcast seed, lightly rake in, firmly tamp down soil on top, and water in. Keep watering if rainfall is insufficient. Once established, clover tolerates drought conditions and temperatures into the negative 20s Fahrenheit, but extremely hot weather will slow its growth.
This cover crop can be terminated at any time after at least 30 days of growth, but perennial cover crops can be left in place as long as needed, with no pressed timeline for termination. However, this cover crop should be terminated at least 3 weeks before growing a crop for harvest to give the plant matter time to decompose.
To terminate this clover cover crop organically, the root system must be disrupted. Tilling is one of the most effective ways to disrupt roots. Mowing will not kill these clovers, and this mix will not winter-kill.
Clover Trio Cover Crop Includes:
Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum) 35%
White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens) 35%
Medium Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) 30%
This premium seed is free of fillers and weeds. 1-2 lbs covers approximately 1,000 square feet.
