Where to Buy Crimson Clover?

Author Ella Bos

Posted Oct 11, 2022

Reads 47

Library with lights

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is a flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia, but has been introduced to North America, Africa, and Australia. Crimson clover is a short-lived perennial or annual plant, growing to 20–80 cm (8–31 in) tall. The leaves are trifoliate, oval to lanceolate, 10–40 mm (0.4–1.6 in) long and 5–25 mm (0.2–1.0 in) broad, with a petiole up to 10 cm (4 in) long. The flowers are dark pink to red, 15–30 mm (0.6–1.2 in) long, and borne in dense cylindrical racemes 5–15 cm (2–6 in) long. Crimson clover is an important nectar source for bees, and the flowers are often used in floral arrangements.

Crimson clover is widely cultivated as a cover crop and green manure. It is used as a pasture herb in many temperate countries, and as a source of nectar for bees. Crimson clover is also used as a soil biofilter.

You can buy crimson clover online from a number of different suppliers. Here are a few recommendations:

1. One of the most popular places to buy crimson clover is from Nature Hills. They offer a wide variety of plants, including many native to North America.

2. Another great option for buying crimson clover is from Gurney's. They offer a wide selection of both annual and perennial plants, including many varieties of clover.

3. You can also find crimson clover for sale at many local nurseries and garden centers.

4. Finally, you can also grow your own crimson clover from seed. While it takes a little bit more effort, it can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Where is the best place to buy crimson clover?

There is no definitive answer to this question as the best place to buy crimson clover may vary depending on individual needs and preferences. Some people may prefer to buy crimson clover online, while others may find that their local nursery or garden center offers the best selection and pricing. Ultimately, the best place to buy crimson clover is the source that can provide the highest quality plants at the best price.

What is the best time of year to buy crimson clover?

Crimson clover is a cool season annual legume that is often used for forage, wildlife food plots, and cover crops. It is a very hardy plant that can survive in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. It has a deep taproot system that helps to improve soil structure and increase water infiltration. Crimson clover is also known for its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil, making it an excellent choice for sustainable agricultural systems.

The best time to buy crimson clover is in the fall, after the plants have had a chance to establish themselves and produce a good root system. This ensures that the plants will be able to withstand the colder winter temperatures and maintain their nitrogen-fixing capabilities.

How long will crimson clover last?

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is a herbaceous annual or biennial in the pea family Fabaceae, native to Europe and Asia. The flowers are dark pink with a paler area at the base of each petal, and appear in early summer. The leaves are trifoliate, often with a whitish or yellowish central chevron. Crimson clover is an Old World clover, and is not related to the similar North American plant known as red clover (Trifolium pratense).

Crimson clover is often grown as a cover crop, particularly in winter, as it is able tosurvive heavy frosts and light snow cover. It is also used as a green manure, as it is able to Fix atmospheric nitrogen. When grown for hay or silage, it is usually cut in early summer. It is sometimes used as a ornamental plant in wildflower gardens.

The plant can grow to a height of 60 cm (24 in), but is typically shorter, being anywhere between 15–30 cm (6–12 in) tall. The leaves are alternate, trifoliate, and borne on long petioles. The leaf blades are ovate to ± circular with a rounded to truncate base and an acute apex; they are 15–50 mm (0.6–2.0 in) long and 10–30 mm (0.4–1.2 in) wide with a network of conspicuous white veins. The stipules are linear to lanceolate, 10–30 mm (0.4–1.2 in) long, and often fringed with hair along their margins.

The flowers are 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) in diameter and borne in loose inflorescences on peduncles 10–30 cm (4–12 in) long. They have a dark pink to reddish color with a paler area at the base of each petal. The calyx is campanulate and has five lobes that are imbricate in bud. The corolla is papilionaceous with a standard, two wings, and two keel petals; it is 20–30 mm (0.8–1.2 in) long. There are 10 stamens that are unequal in length with the longer ones being twice the length of the shorter ones

What are the drawbacks of crimson clover?

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is a winter annual legume. It is considered a weed in some areas, particularly in the southern United States, and can be difficult to control once established. Additionally, crimson clover can be toxic to humans and animals if consumed in large quantities.

How do I care for crimson clover?

Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) is a short-lived herbaceous perennial in the legume family that is grown as a winter annual in many areas. It is a good source of nitrogen for the soil and is often used as a cover crop, catching crop, or green manure. It can also be used as a ornamental plant in flower beds and borders. Crimson clover is a cool-season annual that germinates in the fall, lies dormant over the winter, and blooms in late spring or early summer. It is relatively tolerant of frost and can be seeded as early as late August in most areas.

Seeding rates for crimson clover are 3-4 pounds per 1000 square feet or 10-20 pounds per acre when broadcast seeding. Crimson clover can also be seeded in drilled rows at a rate of 1/2-1 pound per 1000 square feet or 1 1/2-3 pounds per acre. For a cover crop, seed at twice the rate used for a lawn. Seeding depth should be 1/4-1/2 inch deep.

Crimson clover prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. It grows best in well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Crimson clover will fix nitrogen in the soil, so it is often used as a cover crop in fields that will be planted to tomatoes, corn, or other nitrogen-hungry crops the following year.

Crimson clover is a short-lived perennial, so it will need to be reseeded each year. The best time to seed is in the fall, just before the first killing frost. In areas with mild winters, crimson clover can be seeded in early spring.

Crimson clover will self-seed, so if you don't want it to come up in your flower beds or vegetable garden, pull up the flower heads before they go to seed. You can also mow crimson clover down before it seeds.

To harvest crimson clover for hay or forage, cut the plants when they are in full bloom. For hay, cure the clover in the sun for a few days before storing in a dry place. For fresh forage, feed the clover to livestock immediately.

To dry crimson clover for use as an herbal tea, cut the plants when they are in full bloom and

Frequently Asked Questions

How to grow crimson clover for cattle in winter?

If you want to grow crimson clover as a winter grazing crop, start by sowing it at 1/2 lb - 3/4 lb per 1,000 square feet or 20 to 30 lbs per acre. This will give your cattle enough biomass to eat but not so much that they will overgraze. Crimson clover can grow well in mixtures with small grains, grasses and other clovers, so select a plot that has room for them all.

Is crimson clover good for pecan trees?

Crimson clover is a good green-manure crop for pecan and other orchard crops and can also be used in agroforestry, double-cropping, and no-till farming systems. In Georgia, crimson clover can be a self-reseeding cover crop in pecan, peach, and other orchards. So yes, the crop is beneficial to pecan trees.

What is crimson clover used for in Michigan?

Crimson clover is traditionally used further south, MSU researchers and southern Michigan farmers have used this annual clover effectively as a cover crop in corn, soybeans and wheat.

Is crimson clover good for reseeding?

Yes, crimson clover is a good reseeding candidate because it produces a heavy seed crop and has a good potential for reseeding.

Can you plant crimson clover in the fall?

Yes, crimson clover can be planted in the fall

Ella Bos

Ella Bos

Writer at CGAA

View Ella's Profile

Ella Bos is an experienced freelance article author who has written for a variety of publications on topics ranging from business to lifestyle. She loves researching and learning new things, especially when they are related to her writing. Her most notable works have been featured in Forbes Magazine and The Huffington Post.

View Ella's Profile