In any place, you've probably seen a clump of red clover growing in an open area. This shrub type plant with bright red flowers is easy to grow and can adapt to almost any weather and soil type. If you have a large plot of land and want to keep it looking neat, red clover is a good choice because it doesn't require a lot of maintenance. In addition, red clover is very favored by bees.
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Question 1 of 8: When is the best time to plant red clover?
Step 1. At the end of the dry season or the beginning of the rainy season
While red clover can grow in almost any season, it does best when temperatures are still warm. Plant red clover while the temperature is still warm for best results.
Question 2 of 8: Where should red clover be grown?
Step 1. In well-draining soil
Clover doesn't pick a place so it doesn't matter if you plant it in any location. Before planting, remove all weeds by hand and make sure the soil has good drainage. You can check the condition of the soil by looking at it after it rains. If there is a puddle there, look elsewhere.
- If the soil has never been used for growing anything, it's a good idea to cultivate it first.
- Red clover can grow in almost any light condition. So, you don't have to worry about a lot of sun exposure.
Question 3 of 8: Should you inoculate red clover seeds?
Step 1. Yes, inoculate (bacterial culture at seedling) on red clover seeds 24 hours before planting
Mix peat moss inoculants containing Rhizobium bacteria with red clover seeds. These bacteria allow clover seeds to use the nitrogen in the air and grow, not die in the soil.
Question 4 of 8: How to grow red clover?
Step 1. Mix clover seeds with grass seeds
The grass seeds will prevent weeds from growing, so the red clover will grow more when you mix it in. You can use orchard grass, kalamanjana, smooth bromegrass, perennial ryegrass, or tall fescue, to mix with red clover seeds in equal proportions.
Step 2. Sow 5 to 6 kg of red clover seeds per acre (about 40 acres) of land
If too few seeds are spread, the red clover will not grow. Before planting, weigh the seeds and compare them with the available land to ensure the number of seeds is sufficient. You can water the area after the seeds have sown, but this is not a must.
Question 5 of 8: How to care for red clover?
Step 1. Apply a phosphorus-rich fertilizer right after the seeds are planted
Depending on the size of the field, about 30 kg of fertilizer may be sufficient. Sprinkle fertilizer on the area right after the seeds are planted so that the red clover grows well.
Step 2. Water the clover if the area or soil is dry
Red clover does not require much care, and can usually be left to grow on its own without being cared for. In the dry season, you can water it about once a week for the clover to grow well.
Question 6 of 8: When and how to harvest red clover?
Step 1. Harvest 2-3 times a season
Do the first harvest in 60-70 days after planting. After that, wait about 30-35 days later to do the next harvest. If you do not wish to harvest red clover, release goats or cows into the planting area so that the clover is eaten by the livestock.
Step 2. Use garden shears to cut the stems of the clover
Examine the clovers one by one, then look for the first leaf to grow just below the flower. Use garden shears to cut the stems at an angle. Next, collect the clover flowers and dry them in the sun before you use them.
- Red clover can be eaten, used as a food garnish, or cooked into soups.
- Clover will produce seeds at the end of the dry season.
Question 7 of 8: Does red clover need to be cut?
Step 1. Yes, you can cut them at the end of the dry season
It is very important to keep the clover at the same height so that the plant can produce flowers next season. After making the last harvest of the growing season (usually at the end of the dry season), prune the clover using a lawn mower to prepare the plant for the following season.
Question 8 of 8: Will the red clover grow back every year?
Step 1. Red clover will continue to grow for 2-3 years after planting
Although clover can grow back every year, its natural predators will usually attack this plant. Pests and disease will most likely kill the clover a few years later. So, get ready to till the soil and sow the seeds again.
