Red Clover

What you'll need:

Red clover seeds (you can find these at garden centers or online)

A patch of soil in your yard, or a large pot if planting in containers

Regular garden soil or potting mix

A rake or your hands for leveling the soil

When to start:

Red clover is pretty hardy and can be planted either in spring or fall. If you're planting in spring, aim for when the ground has thawed but isn’t too dry yet. For fall planting, get the seeds in the ground about 6-8 weeks before the first frost so they have time to establish.

Finding a good spot:

Red clover loves sunlight but can also handle some shade. Pick a spot that gets at least 4-6 hours of sun a day. It’s not too picky about soil—just make sure it’s not waterlogged. If your soil is heavy clay or very sandy, mix in some compost to give it a little boost.

Bonus Tip: Red clover is often used as a cover crop because it helps enrich the soil with nitrogen. So, if you’re looking to improve your garden soil naturally, this is a great plant to grow!

Step-by-Step Planting Guide:

1. Prepare the Soil: Clear the area of weeds or debris. Use a rake to loosen the top layer of soil—about an inch deep. This will help the seeds settle in nicely.
2. Sow the Seeds: Sprinkle the red clover seeds evenly over the soil. You don’t need to bury them deep—just lightly press them into the soil with your hand or the back of a rake. They should be covered by about ¼ inch of soil.
3. Water Gently: After sowing, give the area a light watering. You want the soil moist but not soaking wet. A gentle spray from a watering can or hose nozzle works best.
4. Spacing: If you’re planting in rows, space the rows about 6-12 inches apart. If you’re scattering seeds across a larger area, just make sure they aren’t clumped together too much.

Tip: Red clover seeds are tiny, so a little goes a long way. Don’t sow too thickly—you’ll be amazed at how quickly they sprout and fill in the space!

After Planting: Keep the soil moist until you see the first sprouts, which usually happens within 7-14 days. Once they’ve sprouted, you can ease up on watering unless it’s particularly dry.

Watering:

Red clover doesn’t need a lot of babysitting once it’s established. Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can cause root rot, so let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. If you’re getting regular rain, you might not need to water at all!

Weeding:

Since red clover grows relatively fast, it can outcompete many weeds. However, while it’s still young, keep an eye out for any aggressive weeds that might steal nutrients or sunlight. Pull them by hand or use a small hoe to clear the area around your clover.

Fertilizing:

Here’s the cool part—red clover doesn’t need extra fertilizer! It’s a legume, which means it can pull nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil itself. This makes it a great plant for improving soil health naturally.

Sunlight and Temperature:

Red clover thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers cooler weather, so if you live in a hot climate, it might do better in a shadier spot or during the cooler months. It’s quite hardy and can survive light frosts, so don’t worry too much about temperature swings.

Pruning:

If you’re growing red clover as a cover crop or forage, you may want to mow or cut it back after it flowers. This encourages new growth and prevents it from going to seed too early. Just leave the clippings on the ground—they’ll break down and add nutrients back into the soil.

When to Harvest:

Red clover is typically ready to harvest when it’s in full bloom, usually around late spring to early summer. The flowers are what you’re after—they’re the most useful part of the plant. Look for the bright reddish-purple flower heads; that’s when they’re at their peak.

How to Harvest:

• Use scissors or pruning shears to snip the flower heads off. You can also cut the entire top portion of the plant, leaving about 6 inches of stem behind so it can regrow.
• Alternatively, you can pluck the flowers by hand, but be gentle to avoid damaging the plant.

Drying Red Clover:

If you’re planning to use the flowers for tea or herbal remedies, you’ll want to dry them. Here’s how:

1. Spread the flowers out on a clean, dry surface (like a tray or paper towels) in a well-ventilated area.
2. Keep them out of direct sunlight to preserve their color and nutrients.
3. Once fully dry (this usually takes 1-2 weeks), store them in an airtight container.

Using Fresh Red Clover:

You can also use fresh red clover flowers in salads or as garnishes. They have a mild, sweet flavor and are packed with nutrients.

Repeat Harvesting:

Red clover will continue to bloom throughout the growing season if you keep cutting it back. So, after the first harvest, give it a little trim, and it will likely produce more flowers for you to enjoy later in the season.

Q: Is red clover easy to grow for beginners?

A: Absolutely! Red clover is one of the easiest plants to grow. It’s low-maintenance, enriches the soil, and doesn’t require much watering or fertilizing. Perfect for beginners!

Q: Can I grow red clover in containers?

A: Yes! While red clover is typically grown in gardens, it can thrive in large pots (at least 12 inches wide). Just make sure the container has good drainage, and keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Q: Does red clover attract bees?

A: Yes, it does—and that’s a good thing! Bees love red clover flowers, and having them around can help pollinate other plants in your garden. Plus, red clover is a favorite of honeybees, which can lead to delicious clover honey.

Q: Why is my red clover turning yellow?

A: Yellowing leaves could mean overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure the soil isn’t waterlogged. Red clover likes moist soil but doesn’t like “wet feet.” Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Q: How do I prevent red clover from spreading too much?

A: Red clover can self-seed if left unchecked. To control its spread, simply mow or cut it back before it goes to seed. If you’re growing it as a cover crop, till it under before it sets seed to prevent it from spreading.