In the right location, clover species such as red clover or meadow clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens) are quite frugal ground cover and forage plants. With their flowers in summer, they also fulfill an important biological purpose as nectar suppliers for bees, bumblebees and butterflies.
Clover makes a lovely groundcover and a treat for many rodents
Reasons for growing clover
There are various reasons that can speak for a clover cultivation. In agriculture, clover is not only used as a fodder plant. It is also planted as green manure because the nodule bacteria on its roots can bind nitrogen from the air and carry it into the soil. The types of clover used for fodder cultivation are hardy, apart from extremely cold locations and frosts, and can be used for several years. The fodder obtained from cutting contains a lot of protein, but clover can even be eaten by humans. Red clover in particular is traditionally used as a natural remedy.
Sow the clover correctly
When sowing clover, compacted soil does not have to be particularly loosened, since this important work is performed by the roots of the clover anyway. However, the floor should at least be leveled a little after the conversion. For even sowing, it is advisable to mix the clover seed with some finely crumbly seed soil and then spread the mixture evenly over the planned cultivation area. The sowing depth should be a maximum of 1 to 2 cm. So that the clover can overwinter well under the snow cover, sowing should not take place later than the beginning of September. Sowing from March to May or in August usually produces ideal results.
The clover as a lawn substitute
If the lawn in your garden does not want to grow as it should for various reasons, then using clover as a lawn substitute may be the best solution. After all, various factors speak in favor of using clover as a ground cover:
- Clover improves the soil
- also copes with nitrogen-poor soils
- Klee is hardwearing
- blooms continuously from May to October
In order for the clover to grow optimally in your garden, the pH value of the soil should be between 6.0 and 6.7. In addition, fertilizing with phosphate and potash fertilizers can be useful.
tips
Red and white clover also grow in nature along many roadsides and on forage meadows. For consumption and as a medicinal plant, you should rather grow the clover yourself in the garden. This way you can be sure that it is free from pesticides and other contaminants.