Clover for Sale - Cover Crop Exchange

Clover refers to several cool-season legumes (primarily crimson, red, and white clover) widely used as cover crops across the U.S. for nitrogen fixation, living mulch, and soil protection. Growers choose clovers because they reliably supply N to the next crop, fit many rotations, and provide strong erosion control and ground cover for vegetables, orchards, and field crops. (sare.org)Benefits of Clover as a Cover Crop

Erosion Control: Legume cover crops including red and crimson clover have reduced soil loss 38–69% compared with no cover, and across tillage systems cover crops have cut sediment losses by up to 20.8 tons/acre in conventional till fields. This protective effect comes from surface cover plus rooting that stabilizes aggregates. (sare.org)
Weed Suppression: Crimson clover residue in conservation-tillage corn shortened the critical period of weed control (weed-free window) from 4.9 to 2.8 weeks in one year and reduced in-season weed biomass vs. conventional till or fallow, easing herbicide pressure. In dicamba-buffer studies, cereal rye/crimson clover mixtures cut horseweed densities up to 75% vs. crimson alone, highlighting the value of pairing clover with a grass for maximum suppression. (frontiersin.org, cambridge.org)
Soil Structure Improvement: Clover roots create macropores and improve aggregation. Red clover has a branched taproot penetrating to about 2 feet; white clover forms dense, shallow stolons that armor the surface; crimson clover typically roots 12–22 inches. These rooting patterns help reduce compaction near the surface and promote stable structure. (forages.oregonstate.edu, sare.org, sarep.ucdavis.edu)
Water Management: Cover crops increase infiltration; across studies, legumes including crimson and strawberry clover increased infiltration 39–528%, and a Georgia study reported a 100% increase under crimson clover compared with no cover. Better infiltration reduces runoff and keeps soil in place. (sare.org, acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
Disease/Pest Break: Rotating out of cereals into a legume like clover breaks many grass crop disease cycles; additionally, crimson clover root exudates can stimulate hatching of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and may function as a trap crop (non-host) in some settings, though field results are mixed—useful where SCN is problematic. Conversely, crimson and some other legumes can increase root-knot nematode populations; avoid preceding susceptible crops like sweetpotato in infested fields. (apsjournals.apsnet.org, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Nitrogen Management: Typical N contributions when allowed to reach bud/early bloom are 70–150 lb N/acre (crimson or red clover) and 80–130 lb N/acre (white clover). White clover’s low C:N stems/leaves release N rapidly after termination; proper inoculation and soil pH are critical to nodulation and N fixation. (sare.org)
Biomass Production: Crimson clover commonly produces 3,500–6,000 lb dry matter/acre (and up to ~7,800 lb in favorable Mid-Atlantic trials); full-season red clover produces roughly 2–4 tons dry matter/acre (4,000–8,000 lb). (sare.org)

Planting and Management Advice

Seeding Rate (drill AND broadcast):
- Crimson clover: 15–18 lb/acre drilled; 22–30 lb/acre broadcast. (sare.org)
- Red clover: 6–15 lb/acre total; use the lower end when drilled and the higher end when broadcast. (extension.psu.edu)
- White clover (ladino/intermediate types): 5–9 lb/acre drilled; 7–14 lb/acre broadcast. (sare.org)
- Note: Many extension tables list cool-season clovers at 0.25–0.5 inch depth and show higher broadcast than drill rates; reduce drill rates 20–30% compared with broadcasting. (extension.msstate.edu)
Seeding Depth:
- All clovers: sow shallow—about 0.25 to 0.5 inch; do not exceed 0.5 inch or emergence suffers. (extension.msstate.edu, extension.psu.edu)
Soil Type and pH:
- Crimson: best on well-drained soils (especially sandy loams); nodulation and N fixation fail around pH 5.0 and are hindered by low P and K; aim for near-neutral pH. (sare.org)
- Red clover: thrives on fertile, well-drained to somewhat poorly drained soils; optimum pH about 5.8–7.5 (tolerates ~5.1–8.4). (forages.oregonstate.edu)
- White clover: performs best on clay/loam soils; tolerates pH down to ~5.5, but grows best near neutral. (sare.org)
Planting Time (seasonal windows by region):
- Upper Midwest & Northeast: Frost-seed red or white clover in late Feb–March (broadcast onto frozen ground during freeze–thaw). After small grain harvest, seed red clover or white clover in August; for white clover late-summer seedings, target ≥40 days before first killing frost. (extension.psu.edu, sare.org)
- Mid-Atlantic/North-Central: Crimson clover as a winter annual should be planted 6–8 weeks before the average first frost (often early–mid August in the northern edge of its range). (sare.org)
- Southeast and Gulf Coast (warmer Zone 8+): Plant crimson clover in September–mid November depending on location; it reliably overwinters and can be seeded until mid-November in the lower Coastal Plain. (sare.org)
- North Carolina example windows (for reference): Crimson clover—Aug 25 to Oct 1 in the Piedmont; Sept 1–30 (preferred) in the Coastal Plain. (content.ces.ncsu.edu)
- West Coast (Mediterranean climates): Fall seeding (September–October) is preferred; spring seeding usually needs irrigation and often yields poorly. (sarep.ucdavis.edu)
Termination (methods and timing):
- Mechanical: Mow crimson clover at early bud to flowering to terminate; red clover can be mowed/chopped once bloom begins and then incorporated or suppressed for no-till planting. Roller crimpers can aid termination of legumes only at late bloom and are often paired with herbicides for reliability. (canr.msu.edu, sare.org)
- Chemical: For red clover, Penn State recommends 2,4‑D LVE plus dicamba (with atrazine for residual) 7–14 days before or 3–5 days after planting corn; glyphosate alone is unreliable on established legumes. Always follow label and crop-plantback restrictions. (extension.psu.edu)
- Timing with crop insurance (NRCS/RMA guidelines): Terminate based on your zone—Zone 1 generally ≥35 days before planting; Zone 2 about ≥15 days; Zone 3 at or before planting (non‑irrigated). Irrigated systems terminate before cash crop emergence. Consult the current NRCS/RMA termination guidance for your county. (rma.usda.gov, sare.org)
- Pest “green bridge”: To reduce risk of insect pests moving from clover residue into soybeans, terminate 3–4 weeks before planting or plan for additional scouting/seed treatments if planting green. (soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu)
Rotational Considerations (what to avoid before/after):
- Herbicide carryover: Small‑seeded legumes like clovers are among the most sensitive to residual ALS, PPO, PSII, and HPPD herbicides; check rotational intervals on labels and extension tables before establishing clover (e.g., fomesafen, imazethapyr, mesotrione can injure clovers). (agcrops.osu.edu)
- Nematodes: In fields with root‑knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) history, avoid using crimson clover before susceptible crops (e.g., sweetpotato), as legume covers can increase RKN populations; consider cereals instead. Where SCN is the main concern, crimson clover may function as a trap crop, but field responses vary—monitor populations. (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, apsjournals.apsnet.org)
- Following crops: Clover is an excellent preceding crop for corn and many vegetables due to its N credit. In soybean systems with a history of white mold or high early‑season insect pressure, manage termination timing and residue carefully to reduce risk. (soybeans.ces.ncsu.edu)
Water Requirements and Drought Tolerance:
- Red clover needs roughly 25–40 inches of annual precipitation or irrigation; it is moderately drought tolerant compared with other cool‑season legumes. Crimson and white clover establish best in cool, moist conditions; white clover tolerates short droughts but performs best with reliable moisture. (forages.oregonstate.edu, sare.org)

Additional practical notes:

Inoculation: Use the correct Rhizobium (R. leguminosarum bv. trifolii for clovers) when clover hasn’t been grown recently on the field. Adequate P and K and pH near neutral are important for nodulation and N fixation. (sare.org)
Mixtures: Pairing clover with a cereal (e.g., rye or oats) improves erosion control and weed suppression, while the clover supplies N to the mix and next crop. (sare.org)
Living mulch management (white clover): Maintain 2–3 inch mowing height to avoid competition; terminate or suppress well ahead of planting if moisture is limiting. (sare.org)

These numbers reflect recent research and extension guidance and should be fine‑tuned with your local Extension office or NRCS planner for your specific soil, herbicide history, and planting dates.

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