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How to Grow Clover (Cover Crop)

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Clover (Cover Crop)

Trifolium spp.

grass

Clovers are leguminous cover crops that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, enriching soil while suppressing weeds and preventing erosion. They're fast-growing, cold-hardy plants valued in sustainable agriculture for soil improvement and livestock forage. Multiple species exist, each suited to different climates and soil conditions.

Looking for a specific variety?

White Clover Red Clover Crimson Clover Alsike Clover Sweet Clover Arrowleaf 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 Jun 1

    ≈ 45 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 to partial shade, minimum 4-5 hours daily
💧
Water: Moderate moisture; tolerates drought once established; needs consistent moisture during germination and early growth
📏
Spacing: Broadcast or seed at 10-15 lbs per acre; in gardens, direct sow densely for cover crop effect inches
📅
Days to maturity: 45-120 days depending on species and climate; flowers and sets seed within 90 days typically
🌱
Planting depth: Surface sow or lightly rake in seeds to 1/4 inch depth; needs light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil; tolerates poor to moderate soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Inoculant with Rhizobium bacteria (if not previously grown) Phosphorus for root development Potassium for overall vigor

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Hardiness varies by species; white and red clover thrive in zones 3-9; crimson clover in zones 6-10; alsike in zones 3-8

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

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Growth Stages

1

Germination & Seedling

7-21 days

Tiny clover seedlings with cotyledons emerge within 7-14 days; first true leaves appear as small trifoliate (three-part) leaflets

Keep soil consistently moist; avoid foot traffic; ensure good seed-to-soil contact; light enhances germination

2

Vegetative Growth

3-6 weeks

Rapid foliage expansion with multiple stems and trifoliate leaves developing; low rosette growth pattern in most species

Minimal intervention needed; allow natural growth; monitor for weeds competing early; light grazing acceptable

3

Flowering

2-4 weeks

Dense flower heads appear (pink, red, white, or purple depending on species); nitrogen fixation peaks during this period

Flowering indicates peak biomass; ideal time to assess cover before incorporation; attracts pollinators and beneficial insects

4

Seed Set & Maturation

2-3 weeks

Flowers fade; seed heads dry and harden; plant transitions from active growth to seed production

Decide whether to allow full seed set or terminate early; if harvesting seed, allow full maturity; typically 60-80 days from planting

5

Incorporation & Decomposition

14-42 days

Cover crop is tilled, mowed, or left to naturally decompose; organic matter and fixed nitrogen integrate into soil

Best incorporated 2-4 weeks before planting next crop; allow time for organic matter breakdown; nitrogen becomes available gradually

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Grasses (for erosion control) Hairy vetch Annual rye Oats Other legumes (in polyculture mixes)

Avoid planting near:

Alfalfa (disease and pest issues) Established perennial crops during same season Black walnut trees (walnut toxicity)

Common Pests

  • Destroy cover crop residue; rotate away from legumes; encourage natural predators; usually not economically damaging in cover crop systems

  • Timely incorporation; no chemical needed in cover crop systems; rarely a problem in short-season cover crops

  • Spray with water; encourage beneficial insects; usually self-limiting; rarely requires intervention in cover crops

  • and

    Remove debris; encourage predatory beetles; hand-pick if heavy; typically minor in cover crop contexts

  • Improve air circulation; allow drying between waterings; fungicide not needed; often present but not economically harmful

Uses

🍳

Edible Sprouts & Microgreens

Culinary

Clover sprouts are nutritious, mild-flavored additions to salads and sandwiches. Rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, they're easy to grow indoors in jars and ready in 5-7 days. [source]

💊

Herbal Tea & Folk Medicine

Medicinal

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is traditionally used for women's health, respiratory support, and general wellness. Dried flowers are steeped into tea with documented phytoestrogen content. [source]

🏠

Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Enrichment

Household

Through symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria, clover converts atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms, naturally fertilizing soil and reducing synthetic fertilizer needs. This biological process improves soil health for subsequent crops. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & Beneficial Insect Habitat

Wildlife

Clover flowers are essential nectar and pollen sources for honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Establishing clover supports pollinator populations and improves farm biodiversity. [source]

🎨

Livestock Forage & Pasture

Craft

High-protein clover is a preferred forage crop for cattle, sheep, horses, and other livestock, improving meat and milk quality. It reduces feed costs and supplements grass-based grazing systems. [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 seed harvest: Allow full maturation (late summer/fall), cut when seed heads brown and seeds separate easily from pod, dry completely before storage. For forage: Harvest at early bloom for highest nutritional value. For soil incorporation: Terminate when flowering or at late vegetative stage, 2-4 weeks before planting next crop; mow or till in. Timing depends on goals—earlier termination maximizes root nodules left in soil.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Clover can fix up to 150 lbs of nitrogen per acre per season without any fertilizer input, making it one of nature's most efficient fertilizer factories.
  • 🌱 White clover (Trifolium repens) is the only plant legally protected in New Zealand—it cannot be removed from public lands because it's culturally and agriculturally significant.
  • 🌱 Some clovers are claimed to have four leaves naturally (mutations), but the odds are about 1 in 5,000, making the four-leaf clover a rare genetic variation.

Gardening Terms

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

Cover Crop Full Sun Germination Partial Shade pH True Leaves
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