Alexandrina Clover

Alexandrina clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) is an annual legume native to northeast Africa and southwest Asia, growing up to 75 cm tall with trifoliate leaves and creamy-white flowers. It is primarily cultivated as a green manure crop, fixing atmospheric nitrogen into the soil and suppressing weeds when grown as a cover crop. It establishes quickly and builds soil fertility effectively in one season.

Growing

Direct sow into prepared ground once soil temperature reaches 8 °C. Broadcast or drill seed at 1 cm depth, then firm the soil to ensure good contact. Space rows approximately 15 cm apart. No indoor start is required — direct sowing into the final bed is standard practice for green manure use.

Care

Keep seedbed moist until germination is complete. Once established, the crop is largely self-sufficient. No supplementary feeding is needed, as nitrogen fixation via root nodules satisfies the plant's requirements. Mow or cut down before flowering completes if incorporation into soil is the goal, allowing foliage to wilt before digging in.

Harvest

For green manure, cut or turn in the entire plant at the pre-flowering or early-flowering stage, when biomass and nitrogen content are highest. If seed saving is intended, allow flowers to set fully and pods to dry on the plant before collecting. The harvest window extends approximately 30 days from peak flowering.

In the kitchen

Alexandrina clover is not a culinary crop. It is grown exclusively as a green manure or cover crop to improve soil structure and nitrogen content ahead of vegetable plantings.

Storing

Store dried seed in a cool, dry, dark place in a sealed paper or cloth bag. Viability remains high for up to three years under these conditions.