Why Chickens, Bees & Your Backyard Need Clover — and How It Restores Soil Health

- By Tiffany Jenkins, Founder, Honey & Hatch

Regenerate Your Backyard Naturally

Looking to give your chickens better forage, help your bees thrive, and fix tired soil? Our premium clover and cover crop seed mixes do it all—naturally.

Packed with nitrogen-fixing clovers like ladino, crimson, berseem, balansa, and Persian varieties, our blends aren’t just beautiful—they actively restore your soil and support a healthier backyard ecosystem.

4 Big Benefits of Clover & Cover Crops

Prevents Soil Erosion

Bare ground is a recipe for disaster—mud, runoff, gullies and compacted messes.
Clover’s dense root system acts like a living net, holding soil in place even on slopes, chicken runs, and high-traffic areas.

Fixes Nitrogen Naturally

Tired of buying fertilizer? Clover’s got you covered.  As a nitrogen fixer, clover pulls nitrogen from the air and stores it in the soil, feeding your plants and reducing your need for chemical inputs—saving you money and protecting your animals and pollinators.

Suppresses Weeds

Clover grows low, thick, and fast - crowding out unwanted weeds like crabgrass and thistle.
Instead of weedy bare spots, you’ll get a lush, edible groundcover that your chickens can snack on and your bees can buzz through.

Repairs & Restores Soil Health

Years of neglect, overgrazing, or compaction can destroy soil health.
Clover increases organic matter, loosens compacted dirt, and boosts microbial life—transforming dead ground into rich, living soil in just one season.

Why We Chose These Clovers

Each clover in our two blends brings something special to the table:

Cluck & Clover Mix (For Chickens)

• Caucasian x Kura Clover (Perennial) – Extremely hardy, spreads slowly with dense sod, long-lived, erosion-resistant, very tolerant of cold, great for heavy grazing.
• Ladino Clover (Perennial) – Nutritious, resilient, productive, stays green and long-lasting forage.

Beekeeper’s Blossom Mix (For Bees & Soil)

• Crimson Clover (Annual) – Fast-growing, boosts soil health, with stunning red blooms that attract bees and fix nitrogen fast.
• Berseem Clover (Annual) – Warm-climate favorite, high protein forage, with rapid growth to improve soil rapidly.
• Balansa Clover (Annual) – Cold-hardy, flood-tolerant, excellent nitrogen fixer with long taproots to break hardpan and speed deep soil repair
• Persian Clover (Annual) – Delicate blooms and forage bees love, thrives in wet soils, adds diversity and resilience.

Why Chickens & Bees Love Clover

Chickens

• High-protein forage
• Lowers feed costs
• Keeps flocks them active & engaged

Bees & Pollinators

• Nectar-rich blooms in early & late spring
• Supports honey production
• Helps reverse pollinator decline

How to Transform Your Backyard

Whether you want:

✔ A healthier foraging space for your chickens

✔ More blooms to feed your bees & pollinators

✔ A low-maintenance, erosion-resistant pasture

✔ A lush, weed-smothering living groundcover

Our premium clover and cover crop mixes deliver all that—and they rebuild your soil for long-term health.

How to Get Started

• When to plant: Early spring or fall, depending on your region
• Prep: Lightly loosen soil, broadcast seed, and water regularly until established
• Maintenance: Optional mowing encourages dense, lush growth

You’ll start seeing results in just weeks. And you'll feel good knowing you’re supporting your animals, pollinators, and the planet.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When should I plant clover?

A: Early spring or fall are ideal, when soil is cool and moist.

Q: Is clover safe for my chickens?

A: Yes! All clovers in our blends are safe and nutritious for chickens.

Q: How quickly will it improve my soil?

A: You’ll see noticeable results in a single season, with continued benefits over time.

Q: Do I need to mow clover?

A: Light mowing can encourage denser growth, but it’s optional.

Q: Can I overseed into my lawn?

A: Absolutely. Clover integrates beautifully with grass and helps improve turf health.

Ready to Transform Your Backyard?

Shop our premium regenerative seed blends:

👉 Cluck & Clover - Tailored for chickens
👉 Beekeeper’s Blossom - Designed for pollinators and soil health

Give your chickens, bees, and soil the thriving home they deserve—naturally.