Alsike clover

[Maddog66]

A friend came across a free pallet of 25 (??) year old Alsike clover seed and gave me a couple of bags. I think they are 100# each. I’ve never seen seed in cloth bags before. I’m doing a germination test on it now, but a local farmer told me he figures it’ll be fine.

Anyway, alsike is said to be great for wetter areas even flooded for up to 6 weeks, so I’m going to give it a shot on a couple of my lower plot areas. I see it gets tall…..3 feet or better…..but might not be long lived.

Anybody have any thoughts on or experience with this clover for food plots and trails? I’m in Zone 3/4.

 

[Stubborn1VT]

Germination would depend on how it was stored.

I use alsike on wet/clay areas. It's one of the easier clovers to get established for me. Mostly I frost seed it and it overwinters fine where I am in zone 4/5. Doesn't mind poor soil. Fairly tolerant of low pH. It's one of my favorites.
Good luck!

 

[Maddog66]

It was in a very old barn, said to be dry, in zone 3

 

[homerj]

Ever seen deer browse alsike? I haven't

 

[Maddog66]

The owner of my local feed mill claims deer LOVE it, but I’ve never heard of it being a huge draw for deer, either.

 

[Newbie]

I planted about 4 acres of primarily clover, about half of it was alsike. I’ve been getting 30+ deer a night on it for 3 months straight. I know that’s entirely anecdotal, and I’m sure it depends on what dinner options are in your area, but it’s working for me this year.

 

[Maddog66]

Well I’ll be out of town a few days and will see what germination rate I get out of my test

 

[matinc]

Newbie curious on what type of soil you planted the alsike? I have a buddy who has really almost like a dry peat moss area. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Hope you and your family are doing well.

 

[Westwind]

I always mix Alsike in with clover plots. It is just different enough that if I get bad growing season or less than ideal soil it may pick up the slack. Also more shade tolerant and I plant a lot of timber edge.

 

[Newbie]

Newbie curious on what type of soil you planted the alsike? I have a buddy who has really almost like a dry peat moss area. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Hope you and your family are doing well.

Hey there, friend! My soil here is primarily clay, but decent nutrient profile. I’m sure most can sympathize, but I’m fighting Mother Nature, too wet in the spring and dry as a bone by August.

I had good luck this year, but I’ll chalk that up to beginners luck

 

[bigboreblr]

Take a good sized houseplant saucer, but some soil in it. grab out 100 random seeds, see how many germinate. Some folks also do it on a wet towel w/o the soil. USed to check feed oats that way. Always came out good, so don't bother anymore.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I always mix Alsike in with clover plots. It is just different enough that if I get bad growing season or less than ideal soil it may pick up the slack. Also more shade tolerant and I plant a lot of timber edge.

That's how we used Alsike at camp too. Poor soil, shade, along big woods edges, wetter spots - it did well for us. We never planted it as a pure stand though. It was mixed in with medium red clover - for the same reason as you - picking up slack if need be.