White clover may not be entirely feared as a weed in the lawn. However, the wild herb also has many positive properties, so it can be worthwhile to sow it in the garden. What options are there for using white clover in the kitchen and garden?
What uses are there for white clover?
White clover can be used in the garden as green manure, bee pasture, edible ingredient in the kitchen, medicinal plant and animal feed. The plant contributes to soil improvement and insect diversity and provides edible flowers, leaves and seeds.
Uses for white clover
- Green manure
- Bee Pasture
- Kitchen
- Medicinal plant
- Animal food
Improving Garden He alth with White Clover
White clover forms very long roots with nitrogen bubbles at the ends and many small white individual flowers with sweet nectar. White clover makes a valuable contribution to garden he alth.
As green manure, white clover is sown on prepared areas until September. The plant germinates very quickly. Before flowering, the white clover is mowed down, leaving the roots in the ground. They loosen and fertilize the soil sustainably.
The white flowers form the basis of nutrition for many insects. White clover is particularly popular as a pasture for bees. However, white clover is not so good in the lawn, especially if children run around barefoot on it. The stings of bees attracted to the flowers can be very unpleasant.
White clover is edible
The flowers and leaves of white clover are edible. They can be used raw or cooked in salads or vegetable dishes. The flowers can be pickled or used to decorate vegetable plates. Due to their mild taste, white clover flowers even brighten up desserts. The seeds can also be brought to the table fresh or as seedlings.
White clover, like all types of clover, contains some valuable ingredients. These include: essential oils, tannins, glycosides, isoflavones and phenolic substances. White clover teas and extracts are used for colds, digestive problems, headaches and even poisoning.
The use of white clover as animal feed
If you keep rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs at home, you should provide a small bed for white clover. The wild herb enriches the diet of many small animals.
Grazing animals also eat white clover in meadows. However, white clover grows creeping on the ground, so the plant is not easy to eat.
Tip
The plants sold as lucky clover on New Year's Eve or other occasions are not white clover. Types of wood sorrel are used for this.
