Hello,
I live in Brittany, France (USDA 9B). This year, I've tried to set up a permanent cover crop in my home garden using dwarf white clovers.
So far:
In the greenhouse:
The tomatoes, the zucchinis have grown perfectly without troubles.The beets have had a really slow start but are huge by now.The white clovers have started to died because of the heat inside the greenhouse.
In the outside, everything has been fertilized with comfrey juice:
Tomatoes have all failed (except cherries) because of blight (too many moisture on the leaves).Potatoes are going well but I'm not sure of the quantity I'll harvest (Probably lower than earthing up).About the pumpkins, only one seed has managed to grow because of concourse. I've finally grown some in the greenhouse before replanting them. The fruits are really in late this year.
There are many weeds that have managed to grow into the clovers. I've not been able to remove them on time as they're barely visible throw the cover...
I've tried to chop and drop some of the clovers (since spring) but I can't see any noticeable differences between those which have been cut and those which haven't.
Did I make something wrong with the clovers ? Should I try another perrenial living mulch ?
I was also wondering if it exists some alternatives to Moringa oleifera and Ice Cream Bean Tree (Inga Edulis) that would grow in my climate area ?
I've also planted miscanthus grass in the garden. I hope they will provide enough mulch in a few years.
Also, I have some Cerastium tomentosum in my garden, that seems to grow well in very poor soil and have tiny roots, but maybe a kind of Sebum would be more efficient (and lower) ?
Thanks for your time