Clover

The Trifolium genus is home to more than 300 species, and most are native to the northern hemisphere. Clover is versatile, performs well in Maine’s cool humid climate and acidic soils, fixes atmospheric nitrogen, and attracts pollinators. The taller red clovers are better hay plants, with a more erect habit and greater biomass, and they dry more easily. Red clover blossoms, fresh or dried, make one of our favorite teas. White clovers perform better in pastures and lawns, as they tolerate close mowing (or nibbling) and heavy traffic.

No matter what kind of clover you choose, be sure to plant plenty to increase your chances of finding those lucky four-lobed specimens: a survey of approximately 7 million clovers found that 1 in 5,000 clover leaves exhibit this trait!

Clover may be planted from late winter through early fall. Seedlings are slow to establish and will benefit from a nurse crop of oats. If annual weeds come up with your clover, all is not lost: keep the plot regularly mowed and by midseason the clover will have outcompeted the weeds.

Some of our clovers are pre-inoculated and clay-coated with an OMRI-approved coating, but for best results with all clovers, we recommend using Alfalfa/Clover Inoculant.