RED CLOVER

Extremely versatile, multipurpose clover that establishes easily and rapidly. Not as drought-tolerant, winter-hardy or long-lived as alfalfa.

Best Use: Pasture, haylage, dry hay or cover crop

Adaptation: Grows on all types of soils, but better adapted to heavier soils. Performs better than alfalfa on wet and low pH soils.

Pasture & Hay: Hay dries slowly, but improved varieties (Ruby Red, Freedom! MR) drydown faster. Can cause livestock bloat when high-percentage stands are grazed.

Planting Date: February – May, July 15 – August 30. Best clover for frost-seeding.

Seeding: 8-12 lbs/acre drilled, 15-18 lbs/acre broadcast; 2-5 lbs/acre in a mix. Drill or broadcast and roll. Plant 1/4″ to 1/2″ deep.

Cutting/Grazing: Medium red clovers recover after being cut. Don’t cut after September 1 in the seeding year to allow root reserves to build for winter survival. Graze or cut for hay when 25% – 50% of the red clover stand blooms. Leave at least 2″ growth after each harvest.