Seeding clover

[S Putnik]

Hi all,

I do brush clearing and rototilling as a side business. Over time I have an increasing number of customers asking me to provide additional services such as reseeding. The latest is a customer who wants me to reseed with clover. I've done some research and found a good variety for the application. What I haven't found is how to spread the seed. I understand that clover seed is very fine. Do I need a grass drill? Can clover be broadcast? The end goal for the project is a low maintenance, low fire hazard ground cover for a 2 acre former pasture.

Any information or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Deerherd]

I plant a lot of clover and use a bag seeder and yes it is very fine. Try and get the seed with the innoculant already on. Here is a picture of the seeder I use:

 

[bcjmmac]

I generally add it to grass seed or broadcast small areas by hand. Anyhow, you could also mix the clover seed with an annual, such as annual rye grass, to enable you to use your current equipment. They both germinate quickly so should suppress most weeds.

 

[Piston]

Someone told me that clover is a good thing to plant in unhealthy soil, as it grows well but also puts a lot of nutrients back into the soil, improving it. is this true?

 

[Deerherd]

Clovers have the ability to obtain Nitrogen from the atmosphere and "fix" it to the nodules on the roots. Some call it "green manure" and depending on the species can put back from 100 to 200 lbs of nitrogen per acre.

 

[cqaigy2]

We use a broadcaster like Dave's. There's a number of different clovers, annual and perennial. One we've had good comments about, is crimson clover thickly sown it make a brilliant crimson field, it's an annual but will somewhat reseed and eventually get replaced. Like bcjmmac says, mix in some perennial clover and it will take over where the crimson doesn't come back. Your still going to have some blackberry maintenance because those pesky birds insist on eating them and spreading the seed from over head. Around here it works best if sown in fall to take advantage of the moisture and mild winter temps, come spring, your field will have a good start and come up pretty lush.

 

[DT86]

Clovers have the ability to obtain Nitrogen from the atmosphere and "fix" it to the nodules on the roots. Some call it "green manure" and depending on the species can put back from 100 to 200 lbs of nitrogen per acre.

That was almost word for word for what I was going to reply, until I read yours! Actually alfalfa, beans and clover; which are all legumes, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.

 

[Piston]

That was almost word for word for what I was going to reply, until I read yours! Actually alfalfa, beans and clover; which are all legumes, fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Good to know, thanks! Does it do well in acidic soil? I have a pine forest that I'm slowly clearing.

 

[yomax4]

Clover is not clover.There are a bunch of types. All will grow simply by throwing out by hand but some are annual ( crimson ) some are tall and spindly perennial ( sweet ) some are dense and tall perennial ( red ). Make sure you buy the correct type for your situation. For ground cover I like White Dutch. It grows fast and spreads fast and stays low to the ground. If it will be used for deer food you will want Ladino and or Alsike.The creatures including Turkeys love those 2 types. All perennial clovers will reseed for more bulk next year lasting up to 5 years before you need to re-seed. You can buy clover at nearly any farm seed store and you don't really need it coated with innoculant just buy an extra pound. Regular ladino is around $3.00#..Inooculated is 3x that.. Sow just before a rain so the birds don't eat half of your seeds. Mow 2-3x yr about 10" tall the 1st mowing and 8" after that. It will look shotty the 1st year but will really impress you the 2nd year.. Good Luck..

 

[DT86]

Good to know, thanks! Does it do well in acidic soil? I have a pine forest that I'm slowly clearing.

I think it depends somewhat on the type of clover as to how well they do. If I remember right a pH of 5.5-8 is about right but they do not do well in soil that is very damp and retains water. I'll need to check in my forges book or online. Hum, wonder where that book is.....