So a pair years again, I had examined my backyard soil and found that it was fairly low in nitrogen (N). See my preliminary soil testing article right here. I wasn’t stunned at these outcomes, as a result of I had seen that my peppers are at all times struggling and yellowish, however would enhance if I scattered a bunch of used espresso grounds round them (that are presupposed to be excessive in nitrogen). I’ve at all times learn that clover fixes nitrogen within the soil, so I made a decision to plant some as a canopy crop in a part of my backyard to see – does clover add nitrogen to soil by a big quantity?

For this experiment, I used White Dutch Clover seed that I bought from Outsidepride.com. Within the spring of 2022, I simply scattered a few of this seed across the identical vegetable mattress the place I had taken the earlier soil pattern from in 2021. I made it some extent to not add any compost or fertilizer on this mattress all yr. I wished to see what clover might do alone in including nitrogen.

I let the clover do its work and develop throughout the big tomato plant I had in that spot. Then this spring (2023), we tilled that mattress, digging the clover below, since I had learn that that’s one of the simplest ways to include probably the most N into the soil. Ideally, I ought to have waited a number of weeks for the clover to decompose within the soil earlier than I examined it once more, however we had been a bit late in getting all the things tilled and I wanted to begin planting, so I took a pattern of the soil most likely per week or so after the tilling.

Clover Cowl Crop Nitrogen Testing Outcomes

For comparability, right here is a photograph of the soil take a look at I did in 2021:

And right here’s a photograph of the soil take a look at I did this spring:

The outcomes are somewhat complicated. My nitrogen ranges do look somewhat higher. They’re most likely round a “low” degree as a substitute of “very low” like they had been earlier than. So some enchancment. My potash degree additionally appears a lot improved. However by some means my phosphorus ranges at the moment are nearly non-existent. Though if I shook the container once more, the liquid turned far more blue, the colour had all settled to the underside. However the directions stated to place the powder within the water, shake nicely after which wait 10 minutes. So I assumed they had been presupposed to be left to settle. So I’m not likely certain what the true studying for phosphorus is.

Conclusion:

Clover does appear so as to add nitrogen to soil, nevertheless, it’s an extended course of and would most likely work greatest you probably have areas of backyard that you may depart fallow for a whole yr. My yard is so small that I actually don’t have that luxurious, so I’ll most likely stick to composting and including some good natural fertilizer. I’ve been making an attempt out a vegetable fertilizer this summer season and thus far loving the outcomes. See my article “Does Dr. Earth Fertilizer Develop Larger Veggies? I Examined It.”