A$3.50
Availability: In stock
Trifolium incarnatum
OTHER-CRIMSON CLOVER is a vibrant flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae, offering numerous benefits for both agricultural and ornamental purposes. Its deep tap roots improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen and breaking up compacted soil, making it ideal for remediating impacted land. In crop rotation systems, crimson clover effectively suppresses weeds and provides natural nutrients to the soil. Additionally, it serves as high-quality forage for livestock and attracts pollinators like bees, supporting biodiversity. Prized for its stunning crimson flowers, crimson clover also enhances the beauty of gardens and landscapes, making it a versatile and valuable choice for farmers and gardeners alike.
Crimson clover offers several advantages and considerations for gardeners and farmers. Its allelopathic compounds can inhibit the growth of certain weeds, though they may also affect desirable companion plants, necessitating careful monitoring and adjustments. As a legume, crimson clover fixes atmospheric nitrogen with the help of symbiotic bacteria, enhancing soil fertility, although this process can be influenced by environmental conditions. The plant’s tendency to self-seed can be beneficial for naturalising areas but requires management to prevent unwanted growth. Its vibrant flowers attract pollinators, supporting biodiversity and potentially increasing bee activity. While moderately drought-tolerant once established, crimson clover requires adequate soil moisture during early growth stages, with supplemental irrigation during dry spells to maintain health and vigour.
Crimson clover is native to southern Europe, originally cultivated as a forage crop to improve soil fertility and feed livestock. Its vibrant crimson blooms have also made it a cherished ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes worldwide. Its role as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop has been integral to sustainable farming practices, promoting soil health and reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers. Over time, its versatility and adaptability have earned it a place in crop rotation systems, contributing to the sustainability and resilience of agricultural ecosystems. Crimson clover’s legacy continues to evolve as farmers, gardeners, and conservationists recognize its valuable ecological and agronomic benefits.
SHOP Garden Supplements
Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height (cm)
30-50 cm (12-20 inches)
Season of Interest
Spring / Early Summer
Temperature Range (°C)
10-25°C (50-77°F)
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Annual
Frost Hardy / Tender
Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun / Partial Shade
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
Sow Direct
Soil
Well-drained loamy soil
pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Temperature (°C)
10-25°C (50-77°F)
Seed Preparation
No special preparation required
Sowing Depth (mm)
1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 inches)
Plant Spacing (cm)
10-15 cm (4-6 inches) apart
Row spacing (cm)
Variable depending on planting method and equipment
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist, approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week
Germination Time (Days)
7-10 days
Harvest Time (Days)
Harvest for forage when plants reach 30-50 cm (12-20 inches) or leave to flower for ornamental purposes.
Good Companion Plants
Annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), White Dutch Clover (Trifolium repens), Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa), Winter Rye (Secale cereale), Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), Alfalfa. (Medicago sativa)
Bad Companion Plants
Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, Other legumes competing for nitrogen fixation, High-growing crops that may overshadow or compete with crimson clover
Pests
Aphids, Clover root curculio, Clover leaf weevil, Grasshoppers, Cutworms
Diseases
Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt, Powdery mildew, Root rot, Sclerotinia , stem rot
ABSeeds is an Australian owned business trading under the umbrella of Direct Compost Solutions which is owned and managed by Victoria Brun.
We as a company endeavor to provide to the public, Organic, Old Fashioned, Heritage, and Open-pollinated seeds that have not been genetically modified.
We purchased the business in November 2018 and renamed it to ABSeeds (All ‘Bout Seeds) to make the title shorter and represent what we hope to achieve with this business in the years ahead.
Seeds that we can’t grow ourselves we will acquire from people who grow for us, or we may purchase seeds from reputable heritage seed companies.
ABSeeds is an Australian owned business trading under the umbrella of Direct Compost Solutions which is owned and managed by Victoria Brun.
