Clover is a popular choice for food plots because it offers a perennial food source that can last for several years with proper care. As a legume, clover is highly attractive to animals and provides a high protein content, which is especially beneficial for herd health and antler development. Its ability to persist across multiple seasons makes it an economical and highly productive option for land management.
Preparing the Plot Site and Soil
The chosen site should receive a minimum of four to six hours of direct sunlight each day to support vigorous growth. Adequate drainage is equally important, so you should avoid low-lying areas that tend to hold standing water, as clover does not tolerate overly wet conditions well.
Clearing the area of existing vegetation is the next preparatory step, which can be accomplished through methods like mowing, tilling, or applying a non-selective herbicide. Many experienced managers prefer to use a knockdown herbicide application followed by a waiting period to ensure a clean slate before any soil disturbance. This initial effort significantly reduces competition from weeds and grass once the clover seeds begin to germinate.
Soil condition is the most important factor for a clover plot’s success, and it should be revealed through a laboratory soil test. Sending a soil sample to a local extension office provides an analysis of the existing pH level and identifies any deficiencies in macronutrients like phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Clover thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, with an optimal target of 6.5 to 7.0 for maximum nutrient uptake.
If the test results indicate a low pH, agricultural lime must be applied to the soil to raise the alkalinity to the preferred range. This amendment is time-sensitive, as it can take several months for the lime to fully react and change the soil chemistry, so it should be done well in advance of planting. Following the soil test recommendations, you must also apply the necessary amounts of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to ensure the young clover plants have the nutrients required for strong root development.
Executing the Planting Process
Clover can be planted in a few different windows, with late summer or early fall being ideal in many regions, allowing plants to establish deep roots before winter dormancy. Alternatively, a spring planting is also effective, or you can opt for frost seeding, where seed is broadcast onto frozen ground in late winter, relying on the freeze-thaw cycle to work the seed into the soil.
Selecting the right seed variety is important, with options like Ladino, white, and red clover being popular choices, often blended for diversity and resilience. Clover is a legume, meaning it must be inoculated with the correct strain of Rhizobium bacteria before planting, which allows the plant to fix atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. This inoculation is often pre-applied to coated seeds, but should be confirmed before planting.
The final step in preparing the ground involves creating a firm, smooth seedbed to ensure shallow planting depth and proper seed-to-soil contact. After initial tilling or light disking to incorporate the lime and fertilizer, the ground should be rolled or cultipacked to firm up the soil surface. Clover seeds are very small and must not be planted too deeply, with a maximum depth of one-quarter inch or less being the goal.
The typical broadcast seeding rate for white clover is approximately 8 pounds per acre, while red clover requires a slightly higher rate, often around 15 pounds per acre. The seed should be broadcast evenly over the prepared, firm seedbed using a hand or ATV spreader. Immediately following the broadcast, the area must be cultipacked or rolled again to press the seeds into the soil surface, ensuring necessary seed-to-soil contact for successful germination.
Long-Term Maintenance and Management
Weed control is a continuous effort, as aggressive grasses and broadleaf plants will naturally try to choke out the delicate clover. Regular monitoring allows for the timely application of selective herbicides, which are designed to target weeds without harming the clover.
For instance, grass competition can be effectively managed with a grass-specific herbicide containing an active ingredient like clethodim. Broadleaf weeds, which are dicots like clover, require a different selective herbicide, such as 2,4-DB, which controls the weeds while the clover remains unharmed. Application timing is important, as applying these products when weeds are small is much more effective than waiting until they are mature.
Mowing is another important maintenance practice that helps control taller weeds and encourages the clover to produce fresh, palatable growth. The plot should be mowed when the clover or competing weeds reach a height of 12 to 15 inches, setting the mower deck high enough to clip the tops of the plants. This clipping action suppresses weed seed production and stimulates the clover to spread laterally through its runners, known as stolons.
Because clover is a nitrogen-fixing legume, it generally does not require applications of nitrogen fertilizer after establishment. Instead, annual fertilization should focus on replenishing the soil’s phosphorus and potassium levels, as determined by a periodic soil test. A common recommendation is a non-nitrogen blend such as 0-20-20, applied once or twice a year to support the plant’s root structure and overall health. With consistent management, a high-quality perennial clover plot can remain productive for three to five years, at which point a rotation to a different food plot crop can help rejuvenate the soil.