What is Red Clover?

Red clover is a perennial a herbaceous and it grows good in zones 5-9. It grows to the height of 12 to 15 inches high.

This herb is found growing in disturbed areas, but it s especially fond of mountain meadows and banks of streams and rivers. It is also seen along mountain roadsides where the runoff gathers.

The seeds has to be stratify for several weeks for propagations and then they need to be sown directly outdoors. The germination will take 7 to 10 days. The clumping plants need to be space 12 inches apart. Red clover have to be water moderately.

Red clover likes to have full sun and partial shade to grow. It does not need any special soil needs.

When the blossoms are harvest they need to be picked very carefully by hand. This is time consuming, but it is necessary, because they need to do this to perserve their color and their nutrtional and medicinal benefits.

To dry red clover properly, it has to be picked in the early mornings while the blossoms still has dew on it. Red clover bruise easy. The flowers shold be laid on a screen ina single layer and let them dry. The flwoers will be a deep purplish red when they are fuly dried. They should be stored in a glass jar or paper bag, out of direct light and heat. Flowers are used both fresh or dried.

Flowers can be added to the cooking pot when you are cooking soups, oatmeal, stews, rice and dried beans. They are a rich source of nutrition.

The edible flowers can be cut fresh and they can be added to a green leafy salad for nutrition and beauty.