Trifolium pratense

Germination

Sow indoors Feb-May. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil. Place in a propagator or seal in a polythene bag to maintain humidity. Ideal temp. 20°C. Germination takes 2-4 weeks approx. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots and grow on. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed. Can be sown as a green manuring crop in autumn, prepare the soil, when the soil is dry sow, directly and thickly, rake into the soil and then tread in. The resulting plants will fix nitrogen in the soil. Manuring crops will need to be terminated.

Growing

Ornamental sowings prefer a moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Will tolerate partial sun. Requires little attention. If sown as a manuring crop, usually sown in autumn, the resulting plants will need to be terminated in spring ideally. Either mow or hoe the plants down, the foliage can be dug into the soil, no dig gardeners can simply cover the crop with cardboard and compost.

Cultivation

Propagate by seed or via division in autumn or spring. Requires little attention. Can be cut back hard if the plant becomes untidy.