🎉 SPRING SALE: Save up to 30% on All Seed & Fertilizer | Free Shipping Over $75

Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Red Clover

Purchase

Product Overview

Description

Traditional hay grass with distinctive cylindrical seed heads. Shallow-rooted bunch grass. Excellent palatability and digestibility. Standard for horse hay. Cold hardy but not drought tolerant. Prefers fertile, moist soils.

Preferred Climate

Cool-season. Zones 3-8. Excellent cold hardiness to -40°F. Requires consistent moisture - 25+ inches rainfall. Heat sensitive - goes dormant above 85°F. Prefers fertile soils.

The Science Behind It

Scientific Name

Trifolium pratense

Best Use

Horse hay (premium market), beef and dairy hay, pasture, wildlife habitat, conservation mixes

Nutrients Available

Zones 4-9, Northeast, Midwest, Pacific NW

How to Apply

Plant red clover in early spring (March-April) or late summer (August-September) when soil temps are 50-65°F. Drill at 8-10 lbs/acre or broadcast at 10-12 lbs/acre. Frost seeding in February-March works exceptionally well - broadcast onto frozen ground and let freeze-thaw cycles work seed into soil. Seed depth should not exceed ¼ inch. Inoculation with Rhizobium trifolii is essential for nitrogen fixation. Expect germination in 14-21 days.

Graze or cut red clover at 3-4 inch minimum height to maintain stand vigor. First cutting typically comes at early bloom stage, about 60 days after spring growth begins. Allow 30-40 day rest periods between harvests. Red clover fixes 75-200 lbs nitrogen per acre annually, reducing fertilizer needs. Mix with timothy or orchardgrass to reduce bloat risk in cattle. Expect productive stands for 2-3 years before renovation is needed.