Durgan, need info

[pinetree]

Dh & I were talking about fertilizer for the garden and would like more info on your clover you plant in the fall, we are thinking about trying it, we are in zone 5 so thought maybe it would help here. Thanks!

[Durgan]

Dh & I were talking about fertilizer for the garden and would like more info on your clover you plant in the fall, we are thinking about trying it, we are in zone 5 so thought maybe it would help here. Thanks!

I use red annual clover single or double cut is fine. Spread the seed after the summer crop of produce is removed, late August or early September is fine. The idea is to get as much growth before the Fall freeze-up. In my area usually the vegetation is killed by the Winter weather, but not always. If the stand is too high, I simple weed whack in the Spring and rototill under. The nodules of the clover fix nitrogen, but it is also desirable to get as much green vegetation into the soil if at all possible. I always consider the clover to be beneficial in the home garden, in that it inhibits erosion and gives the earthworms some Winter food, plus fixes nitrogen for the following year's crop.

Be aware of white clover since it propagates by roots and is a misery to eradicate if planted by accident.

[Contrary Housewife]

That doesn't bind up your tiller in the spring?

[Durgan]

That doesn't bind up your tiller in the spring?

The weed whacking if done about two days before rototilling causes the clover to break into small pieces. The vegetation does not act like a tough vine and clogging of the tines does not take place. I must admit this was a concern the first year that I practiced the procedure.