I get my red for .89/ pound. It grows 2' and thrives on sandy soil and alluvial soil where I have standing water. Ph is never an issue and I have plot in the 5s. Hell it grows in road mat gravel along the road. Oh-the deer love it. No need to fix what isn't broken.
Dipper from my experience with a pure Red clover stand is it lasts for a couple years and fizzles out, so if a person is planting a clover plot that you want around for a while there are better choices. Now if you are going to use it for cover crop and till it under it is a good choice. From what the experts say you need a lot more Red clover seed per acre so that .89/pound is not as cheap when the rcommended rate is almost twice the rate of other clover seed. If it works for you that's great.
Here is what they say about Red Clover:
Characteristics of Red Clover
Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is grown throughout the northeastern U.S. for forage production and use in rotations for soil improvement. It is adapted to areas where summer temperatures are moderate and adequate moisture is available throughout the growing season. Unlike alfalfa, red clover will grow moderately well on slightly acid soils. However, maximum yields are obtained when the pH is 6.0 or higher.
Red clover is a short-lived perennial, which usually produces two or three hay crops per year. It is characterized by rapid spring growth and low winterhardiness which contributes to its short-lived nature.
The growth habit of red clover varies from erect to prostrate. Numerous stems with large trifoliate leaves arise from the crown region each year. Red clover has a thick tap root which grows to a length of 24-36 inches. Lateral roots which arise from the tap root are mainly concentrated in the upper 5 inches of the soil. Small ovoid, pinkish, nitrogen fixing nodules can be found on the lateral roots if it is actively incorporating atmospheric nitrogen into protein nitrogen.
Adapted Varieties
Look for good disease resistance and persistence in a red clover variety. Varieties which are resistant to both Northern and Southern Anthracnose and Powdery Mildew are recommended for use throughout the states. There are several red clover varieties marketed in Pennsylvania that have been bred for better persistence. With proper management, you can expect these varieties to persist for two to three years after the establishment year. Refer to the current Penn State Forage Trial Report for red clover variety performance and resistance information.
Red Clover Establishment
Red clover can be established as a pure stand, with or without a companion crop, seeded with forage grass, or sod-seeded into a grass sod to improve the existing stand. Each situation has special requirements that should be considered.
Seeding red clover in the spring (April to early May) alone or with a spring oat companion crop in a conventionally prepared seed bed is common. Best clover stands result from seeding the oats at about 1.5 to 2 bushels per acre. Harvesting the oats early for silage is recommended because will greatly reduce the competition with the red clover. If the oats are harvested for grain, remove the straw so that it will not shade or suppress the red clover.
Red clover direct seeded in the spring without a companion crop, will yield less total forage than when seeded with a companion crop to be harvested as a forage. However, a larger portion of the forage will be red clover when seeded without the companion crop. Use of herbicides may be necessary when direct seeded red clover without a companion crop. Direct seedings of red clover can be made either by broadcast, band seeding or fluid seeding. The success of red clover establishment by the fluid seeding technique (planting in a carrier of water or fertilizer solution) is dependent on the preparation of firm and fine seed bed prior to seeding and cultipacking after seeding. Fluid seeding requires special equipment, therefore a custom applicator is recommended.
Red clover can be no-till seeded and is the easiest legume to establish using this method. Early spring seeding in winter grains or grass pastures when the soils are honeycombed from frost has also been successful.
Red clover should be seeded at a rate of 10 to 12 lb. per acre in pure stand and 6 to 8 lb. per acre when seeded with a forage grass. Best establishment occurs when red clover is not seeded deeper than 1/4 in.
To insure adequate nodulation, red clover seed should be inoculated just before seeding with Rhizobium trifolii bacteria and a sticking agent. Pre- inoculated seed should be kept in a cool, dark place to optimize survival of the nitrogen fixing bacteria.
