Crimson Clover

Crimson Clover

I planted a cover crop of crimson clover and KY-31 tall Fescue in the vineyard last fall and the weather of late is such that the clover has taken off like a rocket. I broadcast the inoculated seed in the vineyard and orchard in October to provide green manure for the vines and fruit trees this spring.

I love the look of crimson clover when the deep red blooms show up in spring. The clover also does much to improve the soil, leaving behind the equivalent of up to 100 pounds of nitrogen. I make a practice of spraying an 18-in. wide strip under the vines with glyphosphate to kill all weed and grass growth. I would like to hold off mowing and spraying until the clover matures, as I would like the clover to reseed itself for next year.

It is my fervent wish that the clover does not encourage visits from the local deer population. I have so far had no problem with deer predation, and I am not anxious to get that—and the resulting deer fencing tasks—started.