Crimson Clover Seeds - Trifolium incarnatum

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 3-11 - Crimson Clover is grown as a cool-season annual across all zones. Its planting time and lifecycle depend on the climate.

Best Performance (as a winter annual) in Zones 6-11 - In these milder climates, it is planted in the fall. It establishes a root system, overwinters, and then puts on explosive growth in the spring, culminating in a spectacular bloom before being tilled in as green manure.

Northern Zones (3-5) - In regions with cold winters, Crimson Clover is planted as a spring/summer annual. Sow seeds as early as the soil can be worked in the spring. It will grow quickly, fix nitrogen, and bloom in the summer before being winter-killed by the fall frosts.

Hot Climate Zones (8-11) - Perfectly suited for use as a winter cover crop. Planting in early to mid-fall allows it to thrive in the mild, wet winters and provide maximum soil benefits before the intense heat of summer arrives.

Soil Temperature - Germination is best in cool soil, with an ideal temperature range of 50-75 degrees F. It can germinate in soil as cool as 40 degrees F.

Growing Season - As a cover crop, it grows for several months. When planted in fall, it provides soil cover for winter and is ready to be incorporated in spring (approx. 180-210 days). When planted in spring, it can be ready for incorporation in as little as 60-90 days.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
The timing is crucial and depends on your climate zone.

Zones 6 and warmer (for overwintering): Sow seeds in late summer to early fall, about 4-8 weeks before your first average frost date.

Zones 5 and colder: Sow seeds in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.

Where to Plant:
Choose a location with full sun to light partial shade. Crimson Clover is adaptable to a wide range of soil types but performs best in well-drained loamy or sandy soils.

How to Plant:

Preparation: Clear the desired area of weeds and debris. Rake the soil surface to create a loose, even seedbed. For best results, use a nitrogen-fixing inoculant specific to clover and treat the seeds just before sowing.

Sowing: Broadcast the seeds evenly over the prepared area. A typical seeding rate is 1/2 to 1 pound of seed per 1,000 square feet.

Covering: After broadcasting, gently rake the area so that the seeds are covered with about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil. This ensures good seed-to-soil contact.

Watering: Water the area thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist until the seeds have germinated and seedlings are established.

Care & Maintenance (as a Cover Crop):

Watering: Once established, Crimson Clover is quite drought-tolerant and typically requires little to no supplemental watering, especially when grown through a wet winter or spring.

Management: The primary goal is to let it grow and enrich the soil.

Termination/Incorporation: To get the maximum nitrogen benefit, you must terminate the crop and incorporate it into the soil. The best time to do this is in the spring when about 10-25% of the plants have started to flower, but before they set seed. Cut or mow the clover down, let it wilt for a day, and then till or turn it into the top 4-6 inches of your soil. Allow the tilled-in matter to decompose for 2-3 weeks before planting your main season vegetable or flower crop.