When do i plant clover

Clover seedlings are not competitive once they have emerged and it is at this stage that weeds may need to be controlled.

Clover leys can be sown in the spring or autumn. To germinate, clover seed needs a soil temperature in excess of 6 degrees centigrade. This is usually reached in mid March. Spring sown clover usually establishes well and seed mixtures can be undersown to cereals. Sowing rates of spring cereal should be reduced by one third otherwise the undersown ley may be smothered. When sowing in the autumn, clover seedlings can be vulnerable to slugs and weevil damage.

It is therefore essential to sow by mid September to ensure fast establishment. Once sown it is vital to consolidate the seedbed by rolling. This is important because the roller presses the seed into intimate contact with soil particles which leads to a faster transfer of soil moisture to the seed and ultimately faster germination and establishment.

To achieve this high clover content the seed mixture will need to contain 1. Grasses should be included at around 10 kg per acre; any higher and they may smother the clovers as they are more competitive as seedlings. For example, in permanent pasture systems the prospect of ploughing and reseeding may not be welcomed in order to add clover to the sward.

However, white clover seed with its grazing potential can be oversown into existing pasture with little interruption to grazing management. Durana was developed to be persistent year after year and to withstand heavy grazing pressure and periods of heat and drought common to most wildlife food plots.

The theory behind frost seeding is that during winter, the soil surface freezes and thaws causing the soil to "honeycomb" or loosen. Broadcasting clover seed over these loose soils in mid to late winter late January - early March allows for excellent seed-soil contact. There are several advantages of planting clover by frost seeding.

It is easily done without expensive or complicated equipment. Also, frost seeding occurs in mid-winter when clover insect pests are typically low or non-existent. In addition, by mid-winter, established food plots are usually grazed low thus allowing better soil surface exposure and less competition for the clover seedlings. The best way to overseed is using an interrow cultivator or a torsion weeder. If there are a lot of bare patches in the meadow, it is best to add 10 kg of grass seed to ensure these patches are quickly covered.

Young clover plants need some time to establish. A good start is therefore definitely half the work. Within two months after sowing: cut or graze If you cut or graze the meadow within two months after sowing, plenty of sunlight will reach the young clover plants and they will grow well.

Limit fertiliser applications with autumn sowing This will prevent the grass from becoming dominant and crowding out the clover so it stops growing or disappears. Clover needs sunlight to develop well. Mechanical weed control As the capacity for weed control is limited in a meadow with grass and clover, mechanical weed control is the best option. Chemicals are permitted but have a limited result or need a long time to produce a good result.

Clover does not like nitrogen. Clover does need potassium, which is a good fertiliser to apply in summer. You can create a good grass and clover meadow by adapting how much slurry is applied to suit the percentage of clover! Avoid quality losses when ensiling When harvesting, shake or create windrows at a low RPM to avoid damaging the fragile clover leaves, as the leaves have a high nutritional value and contain a lot of protein.

Never shake dry crops. This will cause unnecessary losses. As a grass-clover mix is often a more protein-rich crop, conserving it is more complex than a customary grass-only crop. A silage additive ensures better conservation and maintains the protein quality. Home Forage News Tips for successful clover growing. Successful clover growing? Here's how!

Click here for an overview of our clover mixtures. Red clover and white clover can be encouraged to grow in different ways.