Adaptation 



Crimson clover does well in cool, humid weather and is tolerant of 

 winter conditions where the temperature does not become severe or too 

 changeable. It may be planted from midsummer to late fall. In the 

 northern part of the region early seeding and growth are necessary for 

 the seedlings to survive the winter. It will thrive both on sandy and 

 clay soils and is tolerant of ordinary soil acidity. On very poor soils, 

 stands are difficult to obtain and the growth is stunted. The use of 

 phosphate and potash fertilizers and manure on such soils will help to 

 obtain good stands. 



Crimson clover may also be grown successfully as a summer annual 

 in northern Maine, Michigan, and Minnesota. Winter culture can 

 be extended into Kentucky, southern Missouri, southern Indiana, and 

 Ohio, provided varieties are grown that are adapted to these sections 

 and the seed is sown in fertile soils early in August. 



Seedbed Preparation 



The most important and difficult part of producing a large crop is 

 getting a stand. Enough soil moisture to sprout the seed and establish 

 the seedlings is the greatest factor in obtaining a stand. When 

 established, common crimson clover usually produces a good crop. 



Seedings may be made alone or combined with winter grains, rye- 

 grass, or grass sod. It is possible also to seed between the rows of 

 cultivated crops, but it is difficult to make an ideal seedbed. Further- 

 more, the crop plants in the row shade the clover seedlings and use 

 some of the available moisture. If the row crop is planted in wider 

 rows and seeded more thinly, the clover will become better established. 

 When planted between the rows of other crops, the seed is usually 

 broadcast on the surface and covered by cultivating or harrowing. 

 Drilling the seed after the soil surface has been stirred usually gives 

 more complete stands than broadcasting, and it may be done with a 

 small one-horse drill. The seed should not be planted more than one- 

 half to three-fourths of an inch deep, respectively, in clay and sandy 

 soils. 



Crimson clover is often seeded following a grain crop. This is a 

 surer method of establishing a stand than planting between the rows 

 of cultivated crops, provided the seedbed is well prepared. After the 

 grain crop is harvested the soil is plowed or disked and allowed to 

 settle. This is followed by light harrowing or disking to kill weed 

 seedlings. Before the clover is seeded the sod should be firmly packed, 

 because a loose cloddy seedbed will not produce good stands. The 

 seed may be either drilled or broadcast, but drilling will give more 

 uniform stands. 



Fertilizers 



Good stands and growth cannot be expected on very poor soils. 

 Soil conditions can be improved by adding phosphate and potash 

 fertilizers and manure or by turning under such crops as cowpeas, 

 soybeans, or lespedeza. In many soils of low fertility the use of a 

 complete fertilizer will encourage early seedling growth and establish- 

 ment. On fertile sods crimson clover may be successfully grown with- 

 out fertilizer, but on most sods applications of 200 to 400 pounds 



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