How do I plant clover seeds?

[katie4]

I puchased 3 pounds of crimson clover seeds to plant as a chicken forage in my to-be orchard/extended chicken yard. The bags had no instructions or contact information for the manufacturer and the feed store couldn't offer help.

How do I plant crimson clover seeds? Do I broadcast like grass seed or do the clover seeds need soil on top? How far apart should the seeds be?

Thanks!

 

[Mac in Wisco]

It needs to be covered with a 1/4" of soil. I'd tell you to use a disc and harrow, but I'll assume your implements are limited to a garden rake. You'll need to rake up the area until the soil is loose and then drag the garden rake to create some furrows. Broadcast your seed, and use the back side of the rake to cover. Firm the soil by walking over the entire area. Keep it moist until it germinates.

The same could be said for grass seed. You can't just broadcast it and expect any success.

 

[Lyssa]

I just hand broadcast the seeds in the area I wanted. Then watered. The birds to peck around and eat them. But, I finally have some growing, hoping to have the clover start to take over. Good luck!

 

[breezy]

May I ask where you got your clover seed from? I cant find any locally.

 

[jason_mazzy]

I broadcast grass and clover together. And I have tons. Both can grow on top but has better success when protected from critters. The 1/4 inch dirt can do that or some straw or hay over top can also. If you are doing a larger section I recommend u mix the clover with dry sand as filler for the broadcaster.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Just broadcasting it works to an extent, but much will be lost to birds and poor germination rates. Seeds sitting on thatch or just barely in contact in the soil won't germinate or will germinate, dry out and die. The soil not only protects the seed from the birds but helps to hold the moisture that the seeds need until they can put down some roots.

Another possibility would be to mix your seeds with quantities of moist potting soil and then top dress the areas that you want seeded. Keep the area moist until you have seedlings a couple of inches tall.

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
Any good feed mill will have it and they sell it by the pound.

Note you need to find a Feed Mill or a Seed and Grain store not a Feed Store (like TSC).

Chris

 

[katie4]

Breezy,
I'm in Washington state. The company which distributed the seed is "Cascade Seed Company" 1106 E Montgomery Drive, Spokane, WA, 99206. Sorry, no phone number or web site listed.

Here's the store's website I purchased it from--Leitz (pronounced LEETS) Farms in Port Angeles, WA. They're a local family with great customer service and may be able to sell you some seed if you call them. There's a phone number listed on their website. 1 pound of crimson clover was $3.99 + sales tax (8.4% in this part of Washington). I don't know what shipping would be.

http://www.leitzfarmsinc.com/

Catalogs like Gurney's usually have seed products such as clover. You can also try a hunting outfitter (Cabelas at www.cabelas.com or the like) and look in the categories pertaining to food plots and habitat improvement.

 

[Lyssa]

I buy my seeds locally in Albuquerque NM, at Plants of the Southwest. www.plantsofthesouthwest.com I am sure they ship, but I would try something local first to avoid shipping costs. I am in no way associated with Plants of the SW, other than as a shopper. But, they have a big selection of cover crops and they are nice people.