Living Mulch Clover
IPM3 / CIPM3
Our Living Mulch clover seed, including AberAce and Rivendel varieties, is a high-performing solution for under-sowing arable crops and improving soil health. These varieties are ideally suited for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) actions CIPM3 and IPM3, where companion cropping can reduce input reliance and enhance biodiversity.
AberAce is a small-leaved, prostrate white clover bred for persistent ground cover, low competition with cash crops, and high stolon density
Rivendel is another small-leaved white clover known for excellent persistence, shade tolerance, and compatibility with reduced herbicide systems
Together, these varieties form a reliable living mulch that remains below crop canopy height, helping to:
Suppress weeds
Improve nitrogen fixation
Enhance soil structure and organic matter
Support beneficial insect populations and soil microbiology
Living mulches are particularly effective in systems focused on regenerative agriculture, reduced tillage and sustainable nutrient cycling, and are being increasingly adopted across both research and commercial farms in the UK.
Sowing and establishment
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Sow in spring or late summer, ideally when soil temperatures are consistently above 8°C
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Seed rate - 6–8kg/ha when drilled alone as an understorey / living mulch or 3–5kg/ha when mixed with other companions
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Sow at no more than 10mm depth for optimal emergence.
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Performs best in well-drained soils with a neutral pH, though both varieties are adaptable to a range of conditions.