This biennial relative of White Dutch clover improves soil structure, fixes nitrogen, provides nutritious pasturage, and feeds honey bees. Its widely branched taproots penetrate the subsoil deeply, drawing up nutrients unavailable to other plants. Continue reading below for tips on how to grow Yellow Sweet Clover from seed.
Latin
Melilotus officinalis
Family: Fabaceae
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Timing
Yellow sweet clover does best from spring or fall sowing. Direct sow during the eight weeks after the last average frost date. Or sow six to eight weeks before the first average frost date. This sweet clover is hardy to Zone 4: -34°C (-29°F).
Starting
Sow seeds 5mm (¼") deep.
Growing
Plants will reach 30-90cm (12-36”) tall in the first year of growth. In year two growth (including flower stalks) starts from the base. At full maturity, they can reach 1.2–1.8m (4-6’) tall. We recommend tilling under when the second year growth reaches 15cm (6”).