Our camping meadow is also used by our local farmer to grow silage crops for his animals, to feed over winter. As part of this crop we now have a beautiful field of clover - mostly white but with some red - providing some much needed sustenance for our honeybees.
The bees have not been enjoying the weather so much this year, and honey production will be down, but the happy sounds from the clover today signal a change to some better weather. And Teal had to get involved with her photobomb!
Clover is part of the pea family (a legume), and is well known for it's trefoil leaf pattern. And occasionally you may find a lucky 4 leafed one. As well as feeding our farm animals and bees, clover is also eaten by woodmice and the common blue butterfly, and can be added to baked goods and tea, giving a subtle vanilla-like flavour.
It's herbal properties can include anti-inflammatory and respiratory applications, as well as soothing the skin
Our meadow full of clover, with Willow Pitch in the distance, and Canaston Woods beyond.
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