Crimson clover is a popular cover crop and that's exactly what I've used it for. When my summer garden was done I tilled the soil and planted clover seed in the fall. It came up pretty quick and the rabbits kept it mowed down all winter long. As it got warmer the clover grew faster than the rabbits could eat it and it has finally bloomed.
Clover adds nitrogen back into the soil so it's a good plant to use during the cool seasons and it gets your soil ready for next summer's plantings. I think it's nice to just have something green and hardy growing during those winter months.
Crimson clover is an annual that is often planted on roadsides for erosion control or planted for livestock to eat. It can be cut for hay but only once as it will not flush back out. It often reseeds so you may see it again next year but it is easy to pull if you do not want it.
