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How to Grow Clover (Cover Crop)

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Clover (Cover Crop)

Trifolium species

grass

Clover is a nitrogen-fixing legume commonly used as a cover crop to improve soil health and prevent erosion. It establishes quickly, suppresses weeds, and can be incorporated into soil as green manure to boost fertility. Multiple species are available for different climates and purposes.

Looking for a specific variety?

Red Clover White Clover Crimson Clover Hairy Vetch Arrowleaf Clover Alsike Clover

When should you plant Clover (Cover Crop) in your zone?

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Example Clover (Cover Crop) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Clover (Cover Crop)

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Clover (Cover Crop)

    Around May 17

    ≈ 30 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Clover (Cover Crop) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 4-6 hours daily minimum; tolerates partial shade
💧
Water: Moderate moisture needed during establishment (1-1.5 inches weekly); once established, quite drought-tolerant. Avoid waterlogging.
📏
Spacing: Broadcast seed at 8-15 lbs per acre (0.2-0.3 lbs per 1000 sq ft); spacing between plants naturally adjusts inches
📅
Days to maturity: 30-60 days to significant growth; 120-180 days to full cover and nitrogen fixation
🌱
Planting depth: Surface to 0.25 inches; press seed into soil contact

Soil

Type: Adaptable to most soil types; prefer well-draining loamy to clay loam soils
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Lime if soil is acidic below pH 6.0 Phosphorus and potassium for better establishment Inoculant containing Rhizobium bacteria for nitrogen fixation

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Varies by species; red clover (zones 3-8), white clover (zones 4-9), crimson clover (zones 6-10), hairy vetch blend (zones 4-9)

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Emergence

1-2 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with first true leaves appearing within 7-14 days

Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Protect from heavy foot traffic and grazing animals.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-8 weeks

Rapid leaf and stem development; plant forms characteristic trifoliate (three-leaflet) leaf clusters and shallow root system

Ensure adequate moisture, especially during dry spells. Light nitrogen fertilizer is not necessary if inoculant is used; avoid excess nitrogen which inhibits nodulation.

3

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Flower heads (white, red, pink, or yellow depending on species) emerge; nitrogen fixation reaches peak activity

Do not cut or graze if maximizing nitrogen accumulation. Allow flowering to complete for maximum biomass and nutrient content.

4

Mature Cover & Senescence

4-12 weeks (until incorporation)

Plant reaches full height (12-36 inches depending on species); biomass accumulation plateaus; senescence begins as plants age

Monitor for pest pressure. Plan incorporation timing based on crop rotation and spring planting schedule.

5

Incorporation & Decomposition

2-4 weeks before next crop

Cover crop is terminated and tilled or mowed into soil; decomposition begins, releasing nutrients

Incorporate 2-4 weeks before planting spring crops to allow decomposition and nutrient availability. Use proper equipment (moldboard plow or disc harrow) for thorough incorporation.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Cereal rye (in winter cover crop blends) Hairy vetch (in cool-season blends) Oats (in annual blends) Radish (forage radish for soil structure)

Avoid planting near:

Legume crops in following season without sufficient fallow (nitrogen overload) Heavy feeder crops immediately after incorporation without soil rest

Common Pests

  • Mow or graze at susceptible growth stage; allow beneficial insects to manage; rotate to non-legume years

  • Rotate away from legumes for 1-2 seasons; plow deep to bury larvae; encourage predatory beetles

  • Spray with water to dislodge; encourage beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings); avoid excess nitrogen

  • and

    Remove crop residue shelter; encourage ground beetles; use copper barriers if severe

Uses

🍳

Clover honey and edible flowers

Culinary

Clover flowers are a primary source for clover honey, a mild and popular varietal honey. Fresh clover flowers are also edible and can be used in salads or as garnish. [source]

💊

Red clover herbal remedies

Medicinal

Red clover has a long history in traditional herbalism and is used in teas and supplements, particularly for women's health and respiratory support. [source]

🏠

Soil nitrogen fixation and fertility

Household

Clover's symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria fixes atmospheric nitrogen into soil-available forms, adding 50-200+ lbs of nitrogen per acre annually without synthetic fertilizers. This reduces fertilizer costs and improves soil health. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and beneficial insect support

Wildlife

Clover flowers are a key nectar and pollen source for honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. A clover cover crop supports pollinators and predatory insects that control agricultural pests. [source]

🎨

Green manure and soil organic matter

Craft

When incorporated as green manure, clover adds significant organic matter to soil, improving structure, water retention, and microbial activity. This increases long-term soil health and reduces erosion. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For cover crops, do not 'harvest' in the traditional sense. Terminate by mowing when flowering is complete (peak biomass and nitrogen content), typically 4-6 months after planting. For spring-planted clovers, mow and incorporate 2-4 weeks before planting spring crops to allow decomposition. For fall-planted clovers, either winter-kill naturally (crimson clover in cold zones) or spring-terminate. If harvesting as forage for livestock, cut at early bloom stage and allow regrowth if multi-cut system.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Clover's nitrogen-fixing ability is so powerful that a single acre of mature clover can add 50-200+ pounds of usable nitrogen to soil annually—equivalent to several bags of synthetic fertilizer—all without external inputs.
  • 🌱 Red clover and other clovers have been used as cover crops and green manures for over 2,000 years; Roman and medieval farmers recognized their soil-building properties centuries before modern soil science.
  • 🌱 A single clover plant can produce up to 300 flowers in one growing season, and honeybees can visit a single clover flower dozens of times, making clover pastures incredibly productive for honey production.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cover Crop Full Sun Green Manure Partial Shade True Leaves
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