About Red Clover
Red clover is a short-lived perennial legume (typically 2–3 productive years) that establishes faster than ladino white clover and is more tolerant of poorly drained soils and lower pH. It produces high-protein forage attractive to deer from spring through early fall and serves as an excellent nurse crop or companion to chicory and cereal grains. Seed should be inoculated and planted shallow — no deeper than one-quarter inch — for reliable stand establishment.
How much Red Clover seed per acre?
The standard broadcast seeding rate for Red Clover is 12–15 lbs per acre, dropping to about 9 lbs per acre when drilled. Use 12–15 lb/ac broadcast for pure stand; 5–7 lb/ac in mixes with cereal grains or chicory. Mammoth red clover rates are the same. The calculator above scales this to your exact plot size and converts it into the number of retail bags to buy.
When to plant Red Clover
Red Clover is a cool-season crop. In the northern US, plant in Aug–Oct (fall) or Apr–May (spring); farther south, plant in Sep–Nov. Sow it 1/4" deep and plan on 30–45.
Soil, pH & fertilizer
Aim for a soil pH near 6.5(don't go below ~6). No N; inoculate seed. Apply P and K per soil test. 300 lb/ac 5-10-15 at establishment is a common starting point. Not sure where your soil sits? Read our soil test & lime guide.
Red Clover blends well with ladino clover, chicory, oats, cereal rye, winter wheat if you want a more diverse, resilient plot.
Red Clover FAQ
- How much Red Clover seed do I need per acre?
- Broadcast Red Clover at about 12–15 lbs per acre, or 9 lbs per acre if you drill it. Use 12–15 lb/ac broadcast for pure stand; 5–7 lb/ac in mixes with cereal grains or chicory. Mammoth red clover rates are the same.
- When should I plant Red Clover?
- In the northern US plant in Aug–Oct (fall) or Apr–May (spring); in the South plant in Sep–Nov. Expect 30–45.
- What soil pH does Red Clover need?
- Red Clover does best at a soil pH around 6.5 (minimum ~6). No N; inoculate seed. Apply P and K per soil test. 300 lb/ac 5-10-15 at establishment is a common starting point.
- Do deer like Red Clover?
- Deer preference: high — preferred spring and summer forage; protein up to 20%.