The larger 1 kg package of annual crimson clover is designed for the serious gardener or small-scale farmer wishing to cover a wider area. This clover, featuring pale red flowers, is a highly valued natural soil improver, or green manure. Thanks to its deep-penetrating root system and specific nodule bacteria, the plant is capable of fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and delivering it directly into the soil, thereby reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
The plant typically grows to a height of 40–100 cm, providing not only soil enrichment but also strong competition against weeds and cleansing the soil of harmful pathogens. The intense red tone of the long summer inflorescences offers more than just aesthetic value; it is a true magnet for beneficial insects. Abundant nectar production makes this species a valuable forage plant for bees, helping to maintain and support local biodiversity.
Usage and Cultivation Instructions:
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Sowing time: For use as an ornamental plant and to attract pollinators, sow in May. When growing as green manure or a soil healer, sow the seeds immediately after harvesting early vegetables or the main crop (August-September). With autumn sowing, a strong root system and green mass develop, but the plant will not bloom.
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Application rate: 1 kg of seeds is sufficient to cover an area of approximately 660 m².
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Growing site: Prefers a sunny location but can also manage in light partial shade. Unfussy regarding soil type.
Tips and recommendations:
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To ensure the best germination, sow seeds in moist soil or time the sowing just before rainfall. During a dry spring, the emerging plant definitely requires additional watering.
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When using as a cover crop, mow down the green mass when the first flower buds begin to show color – at this point, the plant’s nutrient content is at its highest and the stems are soft enough to decompose quickly in the soil.