[arh]

I'm thinking of sowing red clover in my cauli/brussels section,( or, should I put it in the pea/bean section, or both) as a green manure and to deter the weeds. Does anyone do this?, and can anyone give me advice about doing it, (or not doing it), and are they deep rooting? Thanks for any comments. arh

[Christine]

I've used red clover as a green manure. Given its head it grows vibrantly if left and is super for attracting pollinators. I'd not be planting it where I want to crop in the next few months as it doesn't wilt easily and I found it not easy to turn in - prefer to compost it myself but then I do have a huge composting space near a hedge where crops won't grow (keeping the hedge down lets the sun in and the heap covered lets it rot down with not a lot of effort).

[arh]

Thank you for that, Christine, I was planning to put it in the brassica patch, with "collars" round the vegetables to stop it crowding them, then turn the whole lot over after the brussels have finished. What does everyone think?

[Christine]

Nah    - put it somewhere else - once it gets going it will make good cover for slugs and snails methinks.

[arh]

Good point hun, methinks it may stay in the packet!!, thank you. arh

[seaotter]

I use crimson clover as green manure, usually sowed in September. Red clover is weedy. At least here on Canada's west coast, but I expect it's the same in the UK.

[arh]

Thank you Seaotter, (lovely name, by the way, oh how I wish I was back in Washington State). I think I will also wait till the fall before I plant the clover. arh

[Robster]

I'm going to use crimson clover this year on the paths that I walk on between the beds. I'm after the roots to bind the soil together and something for the pollinators as well and that I don't mind walking on.

[Puenktchen]

I would not grow green manure and vegetables together in the same bed as most green manures including red clover are too vigorous. I think it is always better to leave the area around vegetables clear of any other plants to reduce competition (and slug damage as already mentioned). As red clover is a perennial I would assume it is not easy to get rid off once it is established.

[victoria park]

I'm going to use crimson clover this year on the paths that I walk on between the beds. I'm after the roots to bind the soil together and something for the pollinators as well and that I don't mind walking on.

What an excellent idea. Never thought of that. Once it's up and running it's tough stuff.
A sort of chamomile lawn thing. 
That could really work, and potentially more beneficial than my woodchip thing. I tend to snake, wind and move some of my paths every couple of years. Food for thought. Thanks Robster.

[arh]

Thank you for that idea Robster, I think I'll do that as well, sow it between the rows where i will walk up and down weeding the veggies, then in the fall, turn it all over. Hmm, worth a thought.

[al78]

I would not grow green manure and vegetables together in the same bed as most green manures including red clover are too vigorous. I think it is always better to leave the area around vegetables clear of any other plants to reduce competition (and slug damage as already mentioned). As red clover is a perennial I would assume it is not easy to get rid off once it is established.

I have found white clover and trefoil worked fine when broadcast around brassicas. They are both low growing and the clover adds nitrogen to the soil. The foliage helps stop the soil drying out during summer, and smothers any weeds that might think about popping up. As for slug damage, that is going to happen anyway without any preventative measures, and a cover crop is as likely to provide shelter for slug predators as for slugs.