Clover has long been used as a green manure to prevent weeds and stop soil erosion. There are many benefits to companion planting clover in both the orchard and the vegetable bed.
What is Clover
Clover is a member of the legume family and grows easily in the UK. There are several types of clover and they will all fix nitrogen in the soil if dug in. White clover is low growing and good for suppressing weeds. Red clover produces lots of foliage which can be used as a mulch, once it has been cut back it will regrow.
Companion Planting Cover
By companion planting clover with your plants you will benefit from visits by bees, butterflies, hoverflies, ladybirds (bugs), and lacewings. Most of which are very useful pollinators and the rest are predator insects which will keep the pests away.
Clover and Apple Trees
Grow clover around apple trees to attract pollinators and predators of the woolly aphid. According to Wikipedia woolly aphids are small to medium aphids that feed on apple trees and can cause serious diseases and infections. Lacewings, lady birds (bugs) and hoverfly larvae all consume woolly aphids.
For more detailed information about woolly aphids click here to link to the university of Kentucky.To find out more about companion planting apple trees click the link.
Clover and Pear Trees
Companion planting clover around pear trees will have exactly the same benefits as with apple trees. Your pear trees will produce more fruit and be woolly aphid free. click this link to find out more about companion planting pear trees.
Clover and Grapevines
Growing clover around your grapevines will attract many pollinators and predatory insects all of which will be beneficial to you. For a more in depth look at companion planting grapes click the link.
Clover and Cabbage
Using clover as a companion plant with cabbage will keep many cabbage eating pests away from them as clover attracts their predators. You will also benefit from weed reduction and once the clover is dug into the soil, extra nitrogen. According to the NCBI companion planting clover with cabbage leads to less insect damage in cabbage due to increased predatory insects click here for their report.
This little plant has many uses, not just as a green manure, so try companion planting with clover and benefit from these scientifically proven results in your garden.
What Not To Grow With Clover
There is always at least one fly in the ointment and companion planting clover is no exception.
Clover and Gooseberries
Never grow clover near gooseberries because clover can play host to a tic like insect that causes fruit to drop. As you only grow gooseberries for the fruit this would not be ideal.
Clover and Camellias
The minute tic responsible for gooseberry fruit drop, also causes camellias to bud prematurely. Leading to a short flowering period or worse still, no blooms at all. Never allow clover to grow with camellias.