| Clover is a high protein legume that benefits the | | | | up a bit. |
| animals that feed upon it and contributes nitrogen | | | | Since clover seed is so small, a seeding rate of 12 |
| to the soil. In today's markets seed companies all | | | | to 20 pounds to the acre makes it difficult for |
| claim to have the best variety. What do you | | | | birds to do much damage. Scatter the seed and |
| think? We all heard or read about the white and | | | | let the rain bury it or you can drag it in with a |
| red clovers, crimson clovers, the white tail | | | | section of chain link fence. The ideal depth is |
| clovers, high protein clovers as well as the 38 | | | | about ¼ to ½ inches this will allow sun |
| percent protein clovers. Every seed company | | | | light to penetrate for germination. |
| claims that theirs is the best, but only a few tell | | | | If you have a seed drill learning how to use it will |
| you in what regions that their clover is the best. | | | | result in an even stand, however a small seeder |
| The trick is the region in which these clovers are | | | | like the cyclone seeder will do very well. Only a |
| planted. Whether cool climates or warm climates | | | | few hunters know that planting clover seed to |
| some will do very well in the south in wet sandy | | | | deep results in poor stands. Avoid disking clover |
| areas, and some will do well in the north in wet | | | | seed in 5 or 6 inches deep because it results in |
| and sandy areas as long as there is enough sun | | | | poor emergence. |
| light to allow the photosynthesis process to work. | | | | Always try and use the recommended amount of |
| No matter what people claim, the solution is to | | | | seed to eliminate competition. Too many seeds |
| plant a variety that is suitable for your region, | | | | will not allow a plant reach its potential making the |
| take the time to correct ph levels to those | | | | process expensive. Not enough seed, on the |
| suitable for the seed that is planted, adequate soil | | | | other hand will make it easy for weeds to take |
| preparation, and of course proper fertilization. Soil | | | | over your food plot. |
| preparation along with a good solid fertilizer | | | | Use herbicides in your clover fields when needed |
| program and adequate moisture will certainly help | | | | to eliminate the grasses that compete with the |
| produce suitable yields. | | | | clover. |
| When you plant clover always use the | | | | Diversity is the key to any successful hunting |
| recommended inoculants for that particular | | | | area. A successful hunting area may contain |
| variety. When planting clover or any other type | | | | several types of clover. This will help insure |
| of wild life planting, in addition to fertilizer, I prefer | | | | adequate feed for the wildlife at different times |
| to use Bio Stimulants like RACKMAX because it is | | | | of the year. When one variety of clover matures |
| so cost effective. Bio stimulants are plant growth | | | | and dies, another will be ready. Here in Alabama I |
| hormones that enable a plant to manufacture | | | | prefer the crimson and Yucci Arrow Leaf |
| natural sugar giving a plant more early season | | | | varieties. These varieties are beneficial to quail and |
| vigor, better stands, faster germination, and more | | | | turkey poults in the spring as well as prime white |
| leaf area sooner. You get much sweeter plants | | | | tail forages in the fall and winter. |
| by increasing the starch and sugar production, | | | | Clover is a safe bet on planting for forage crops. |
| making a plant resistant to freeze, drought, | | | | One of the really great things about clover is that |
| overgrazing, and erosion. Bio stimulants increase | | | | it makes it own nitrogen. When you plant other |
| the root system up to 300% and have a positive | | | | crops with clover the clover will help provide |
| impact on plant health. | | | | nitrogen for other grasses in the area. Nitrogen is |
| Most of us know a clover seed is very small and | | | | essential in the production of wild life forages. |
| does not produce a very large root system. | | | | Two overlooked aspect about any clover is the |
| Whenever you can help a plant increase the way | | | | need to refertilize several times during the year. |
| that it absorbs moisture and nutrients, that alone | | | | Fertilizing will help to feed the plant for the growth |
| will help the survival rate of the plant. One word | | | | process keeping it succulent. A simple ph test |
| of caution when using a Bio Stimulant on clover. | | | | should be done annually and corrections should be |
| Make certain you plant enough or the deer will | | | | made based on the results. |
| decimate it! | | | | Is the clover that is planted an annual or a |
| The inoculants for the type of clover that you | | | | perennial? Annuals will need to be planted every |
| purchase can be purchased separately. If you | | | | year but perennials will reseed itself for several |
| have a seed that has been pre-inoculated, it will | | | | years provided the fields are not grazed to short |
| not hurt to add additional inoculants. This will insure | | | | during the blooming stage. |
| that all of the seed has a good dose of inoculants | | | | If you would like some good solid information on |
| on them. | | | | clover in your area go to your extension office, |
| When planting clover try to plant on a good | | | | or simply call. They will be glad to help. So now |
| seedbed Use a culti-packer if you have one. If | | | | you can see some of the benefits of clover. It |
| you don't you should prepare the ground a week | | | | provides good solid forage for you wildlife. And |
| before planting, and try to get the ground level to | | | | always remember that our youth need to be |
| avoid small shaded areas in the field. Advance | | | | involved with our time in the field. |
| preparation will allow the dirt to settle and tighten | | | | |