Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)

Flowering Annual - Edible?: Inedible

Chiltern Seeds say: "Whenever the ground is left bare for more than about six weeks, Green Manure seeds can be sown to add nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Green Manuring naturally improves all soil conditions, helps to suppress weeds, and protects the soil from erosion by adding structure. Seeds are quick growing (2-3 months) and can be sown from March through to August/September for over-wintering in all but the coldest areas. The resultant crop should be dug in before flowering when it is fresh and green. Before re-planting the area, the plant material should then be left for about a month to enable it to breakdown into rich organic matter, allowing nutrients to be released slowly over a period of time. One of the best nitrogen fixers and a fast growing weed suppressant. Tolerant of heavy clay soils, but prefers sandy or light soil. If a few plants are retained and not cut-down, the flowers produced attract bees and other beneficial insects."

This was dug (we grew it as a green manure) in by Loothfur and Luu on the 24.09.11

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