About Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend
The clover-chicory perennial blend is one of the most popular and productive long-term food plot combinations available, leveraging clover's rapid establishment and high palatability with chicory's summer drought tolerance and deep taproot to create a diverse stand that remains attractive from spring through fall. When ladino white clover and chicory are properly established at a 6.0–6.5 pH, the stand can persist 4–6 years with mowing and fertilization, providing consistent protein (18–30%) across multiple seasons. The blend also provides weed suppression through canopy closure and requires no nitrogen input because the clover component fixes atmospheric nitrogen.
How much Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend seed per acre?
The standard broadcast seeding rate for Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend is 6–9 lbs per acre, dropping to about 5 lbs per acre when drilled. Typical component split: ladino or red clover at 4–6 lb/ac + chicory at 2–3 lb/ac. Total broadcast 6–9 lb/ac; some blends add 2–4 lb/ac alfalfa. Cultipacking after broadcast is strongly recommended for small-seeded species. The calculator above scales this to your exact plot size and converts it into the number of retail bags to buy.
When to plant Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend
Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend is a cool-season crop. In the northern US, plant in Aug–Sep (fall preferred) or Apr–May (spring); farther south, plant in Sep–Oct. Sow it 1/4" deep and plan on 45–90; full productivity second season.
Soil, pH & fertilizer
Aim for a soil pH near 6.5(don't go below ~6). No N; inoculate clover seed. Apply P and K per soil test; 250–300 lb/ac 0-20-20 or 5-10-15 at establishment. Not sure where your soil sits? Read our soil test & lime guide.
Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend blends well with alfalfa, orchardgrass, cereal rye (for nurse crop) if you want a more diverse, resilient plot.
Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend FAQ
- How much Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend seed do I need per acre?
- Broadcast Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend at about 6–9 lbs per acre, or 5 lbs per acre if you drill it. Typical component split: ladino or red clover at 4–6 lb/ac + chicory at 2–3 lb/ac. Total broadcast 6–9 lb/ac; some blends add 2–4 lb/ac alfalfa. Cultipacking after broadcast is strongly recommended for small-seeded species.
- When should I plant Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend?
- In the northern US plant in Aug–Sep (fall preferred) or Apr–May (spring); in the South plant in Sep–Oct. Expect 45–90; full productivity second season.
- What soil pH does Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend need?
- Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend does best at a soil pH around 6.5 (minimum ~6). No N; inoculate clover seed. Apply P and K per soil test; 250–300 lb/ac 0-20-20 or 5-10-15 at establishment.
- Do deer like Clover + Chicory Perennial Blend?
- Deer preference: high — clover provides spring–fall forage; chicory extends summer attraction and drought resilience; 18–30% protein combination.