The Crimson Plant You Can Grow To Get Rid Of Weeds

If you're sick of pulling weeds in your garden each spring, crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) may be just the plant you need. A fall planting will give you a thick blanket of clover in the spring, giving it a head start on weeds which it will easily out-compete. Many cover crops will help you suppress weeds, but crimson clover can also work great in an area of your yard where nothing other than weeds ever seem to grow. Tolerant of shade and poor soil, you can grow this plant almost anywhere besides acidic soil or standing water. And because crimson clover is a nitrogen fixer, it will help improve the soil for future plants.

If you're wondering how to bring more pollinators to your yard and garden, crimson clover should be on your list, as it also attracts pollinators. However, crimson clover can get anywhere between 1 and 3 feet tall — quite tall if you plan on using it in your lawn. So be sure to use this plant strategically. Also, be aware that this pretty clover is listed as an invasive species in West Virginia, and so may not be appropriate in all locations. Mississippi has also stopped using it on roadsides as it is a secondary host to corn earworm and cotton bollworm. Still, for most people, the benefits of crimson clover will outweigh the downsides.

Crimson clover can grow in USDA Zones 3-9, however, it will grow as an annual up to Zone 5, and as a perennial in Zone 6 and above. Depending on your use, this may be good or bad. If you want to cover up bare patches in your yard, you'll probably want a perennial plant, but if you're using it as a weed-suppressing cover crop in your veggie patch, annuals might be preferred. Luckily, they're easy to cut back.

Any well-drained soil will do, but they do require cool (not cold) nights and moisture to germinate. Direct sow at a depth of no more than a ½ inch in the fall for spring germination. You can plant in spring, however, it may not be as successful at suppressing weeds. Give crimson clover a head start on unwanted competitors. If it's rainy, you may not need to do much watering, but keep an eye on your seed, as moisture is key to germination. 

Full sun may get you better results, but these plants can take a bit of shade. If you're using crimson clover as a cover crop to suppress weeds and build soil health, simply mow it — preferably after flowering — and the plant will die back, leaving you to plant your crops. You can let it go to seed if the goal is to cover up previously-weedy bare spots in the yard. If crimson clover doesn't seem quite right for you, explore these six weed removal hacks as an alternative..