How to Raise Red Clover for Green Manure
Using a green manure means growing a cover crop and then plowing it under the soil surface to enrich the soil. Green manures aid in controlling erosion and garden pests such as root knot nematodes. In addition, green manures attract beneficial insects and control weeds. Some green manure crops enrich the soil by pulling nitrogen from the air and fixing it in their roots. Red clover is an example of a nitrogen fixing green manure and, unlike other clovers, red clover responds to light fertilization. Plant in the spring where the ground freezes in winter and late summer everywhere else. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rake
- Granulated organic fertilizer
- Red clover seed
- Topsoil
- Bucket
- Water
Instructions
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1
Clear the area where you are planting the red clover. Use a rake to rid the area of all leftover garden debris. Remove weeds or grasses that can compete with the red clover. Don't pack down the soil so the red clover seed will have good contact with the soil.
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2
Spread granulated organic fertilizer over the area at the rate recommended on the fertilizer package, which is usually 20 pounds per 1000 square feet. Use granulated organic fertilizer because it degrades slowly and helps enrich the soil. Do not use a fast acting high nitrogen fertilizer as red clover does not grow well in soils with a high nitrogen content.
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3
Mix the red clover seed with topsoil in a bucket at the rate of 1 part seed with 4 parts topsoil.
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4
Broadcast the seed and soil mixture over the planting area at the rate of one-half pound of seed per 1000 square feet of garden space. Walk over the seeded area after planting to push seed into the soft soil. Water over the planted area to settle the seeds into the soil. Keep moist by watering every few days if there in no rain.
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Tips & Warnings
Red clover grows best in soil with a Ph of 6.0 to 6.5.
Plowing red clover under the soil before it goes to seed will prevent it from becoming a weed in cooler areas where it grows throughout the growing season.
