Trifolium hybridum Short-lived perennial, cool-season legume. A Clover for Cool, Moist, and Difficult Ground Alsike clover is a practical choice for sites that stay too cool or wet for many other forage legumes. It is well adapted to moist bottomland, poorly drained ground, and moderately acidic soils, and it tolerates cold winters and spring frost heaving. Use it in northern and cool-season regions, irrigated pastures, low spots, or other fields where dependable spring growth matters more than hot-weather performance. Plants are usually productive for about three to five years and may naturally reseed when some flowers are allowed to mature. The fine stems and leafy growth provide useful hay or grazing forage, while the white-to-pink flowers supply nectar for bees and other beneficial insects. When nodulation is active, the crop also fixes atmospheric nitrogen and contributes nitrogen-rich residue to the soil. Alsike performs best in a mixture with compatible cool-season grasses. The grass helps support its fine stems, improves stand structure, and makes the planting easier to manage for pasture or hay. Growth is strongest during cool spring conditions and slows when soils become hot or dry, so this is not the best clover for hot southern climates, drought-prone fields, or very sandy soil. Establishment and Management Prepare a clean, firm seedbed and keep this small seed close to the surface. Good seed-to-soil contact is more important than deep covering; after broadcasting, press or roll the seedbed lightly. Maintain dependable moisture through germination and early rooting, and limit competition from established sod until seedlings are secure. For pasture use, wait until plants are well rooted before the first grazing and leave enough stubble for recovery. Rotational grazing or infrequent cutting generally supports better persistence than repeated close defoliation. Because alsike clover can present bloat and photosensitization concerns, it is best used as part of a grass mixture. It should not be used as a major component of horse pasture or hay without guidance from a veterinarian or local Extension specialist. Product Details Application Rate: 15–20 lb per acre (about 0.35–0.45 lb per 1,000 sq ft) Planting Depth: About ¼ inch in a firm seedbed Planting Season: Fall or spring when cool conditions and dependable moisture support establishment Germination: Approximately 5–10 days under favorable conditions Plant Height: About 18 inches under typical management Uses: Pasture mixtures, hay, green manure, pollinator habitat, and wet-site soil cover Inoculant: No additional inoculant is needed. The seed is Nitrocoated with the appropriate Rhizobium bacteria to support nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Minimum order quantity: 50 pounds. Note for certified organic growers: Nitrocoated seed is conventionally grown, non-GMO seed with no fungicide or insecticide seed treatment applied before coating. The coating contains certified organic powdered limestone, an organically approved binder, and an OMRI-approved peat-based inoculant, applied through an OMRI-approved process on a dedicated Nitrocoated-seed treatment line.
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