Guest post by Katrina & Clayton
Clover is one of the most valuable and adaptable plants in the garden, serving as a nitrogen fixer, pollinator attractor, soil improver and even an edible flower and leaves. In Scotland’s cool, damp climate, clover thrives naturally and has long been used both in traditional pastures and modern permaculture systems. Whether used as a living mulch, green manure, ground cover or edible flower, clover contributes to healthy soil and supports biodiversity. There are several types of clover worth growing, each with its own benefits and preferred conditions.
The most common species include white clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). Each plays a valuable role in sustainable gardening and all are well suited to Scotland’s environment.
Clover is more than just a soil improver, it’s also an edible and nutritious plant. Both the flowers and leaves of red and white clover are edible and have long been used in traditional cooking and herbal remedies.
Flowers can be eaten fresh in salads, used as a garnish, or dried for teas. Red clover blossoms have a sweet, mild flavour reminiscent of honey and are rich in vitamins and minerals. They make an excellent herbal infusion that is both calming and detoxifying. White clover flowers are milder and slightly grassy but equally pleasant when used in herbal teas or baked goods.Leaves are also edible, though they should be eaten in moderation due to natural compounds that can be hard to digest in large amounts. Young leaves can be added to salads, soups, or smoothies, offering a mild, slightly pea-like taste.
Growing Clover
Clover is exceptionally well adapted to Scotland’s climate. It grows best in cool to mild temperatures with regular moisture and full to partial sunlight. Scotland’s long summer days and moist soils provide ideal growing conditions. Clover is a perennial or annual herb depending on the species. White clover, the most common lawn and pasture type, is a hardy perennial that spreads by creeping stems known as stolons. Red clover, a short lived perennial or biennial, grows upright and taller, often used in meadows and for green manure. Crimson clover, an annual, produces striking crimson flowers and is commonly grown as a cover crop.
Clover’s deep root systems make it resilient and drought tolerant once established, while its natural nitrogen fixing ability enhances soil fertility. It forms a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria on its roots, which capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into a plant available form. This means clover both improves the soil and reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, a major benefit for organic and regenerative gardening.
As clover is hardy, it can grow in a range of soils and weather conditions, from lowland gardens to upland meadows. In Scotland, it grows vigorously from late Spring through Autumn, sometimes even remaining green throughout mild winters.
Planting Clover in Scotland
Clover can be sown directly outdoors in Spring or Autumn, depending on soil conditions. In Scotland, Spring sowing from April to May ensures quick establishment, while Autumn sowing in September to October helps prepare green cover for the following year. The key is to plant when the soil is moist and temperatures are above 7°C.
To plant clover, prepare the soil by lightly raking or cultivating to a fine tilth, removing large weeds or debris. Clover seeds are small and need good soil contact but should not be buried deeply. Scatter the seeds evenly and lightly rake them in or press them into the soil surface. Water gently to help them settle. Germination typically occurs within one to two weeks. We sprinkle Caledonian Green Goodness over the area to help with growth.
For lawns, a mix of white clover and grass seed creates a low maintenance, drought tolerant and pollinator friendly lawn. For green manure or ground cover, red or crimson clover can be sown thickly to quickly cover bare soil. Clover establishes best in open ground but also works well under fruit trees or among vegetables as a living mulch.
In poor or compacted soils, mixing in compost or well rotted manure before sowing will improve germination and root development. Avoid high nitrogen fertilisers, as these reduce clover’s nitrogen fixing activity.
Care of Clover
Regular cutting or mowing keeps clover compact, encourages regrowth and prevents it from becoming too dominant in mixed plantings. In lawns, mow clover when it reaches around 10–15 cm tall to maintain a neat appearance and stimulate new leaves and flowers.
In meadows or green manure plots, cutting clover before it sets seed prevents self seeding and maintains soil structure. Red and crimson clover used as green manure can be cut back before flowering and the foliage incorporated into the soil to release nutrients. Alternatively, cutting after flowering allows pollinators to benefit before the plant naturally dies back.
Companion Planting
Clover is one of the best companion plants for a wide range of crops. Its nitrogen fixing ability enriches the soil for nearby plants and its flowers attract bees, hoverflies and other pollinators. This makes it a valuable addition to vegetable gardens, orchards and herb beds.
White clover works particularly well as a living mulch beneath fruit trees and shrubs. It suppresses weeds, maintains soil moisture, and provides habitat for beneficial insects. Its low growing habit means it won’t compete heavily for light or space.
Red clover is an excellent companion for brassicas such as cabbage and kale, helping deter pests like aphids and cabbage white butterflies. Crimson clover pairs well with root crops such as carrots and beetroot, improving soil fertility and structure between plantings.
Avoid pairing clover with other legumes, such as peas and beans, as they can compete for the same nitrogen fixing bacteria. Otherwise, clover is an exceptionally beneficial companion plant in almost any setting.
Clover is one of the most valuable and adaptable plants for Scottish gardeners. Its ability to thrive in cool, damp climates, improve soil fertility, attract pollinators and serve as both a ground cover and edible herb makes it an indispensable part of any sustainable garden. Whether growing white clover for lawns and living mulch, red clover for green manure and forage or crimson clover for vibrant cover cropping, each type contributes uniquely to soil health and biodiversity.
Katrina & Clayton
Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.
They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine. Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.
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