MSU Extension Cover Crops

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) 

Identifying Features: 

• Large, elongated leaflets with inverted, V-shaped variegation 
• Three leaflets per leaf

Planting Tips

• Planting date: August - early September or frost seeded in late winter (February/March) 
• Seeding depth: 0.25 inches - 0.5 inches - rainfall/soil moisture needed to get good establishment
• Seeding rate: drilled = 8 - 12 lbs PLC/Ac 
• Minimum temperature for germination: 41 Fahrenheit

Termination Tips

Easy to terminate with herbicide or mechanically. www.canr.msu.edu/resources/cover-crop-termination for more information. 

Performance

• Dry Matter: 1500-6000 lbs/Ac
• Nitrogen Source: Excellent (Total N: 50-200 lbs/Ac
• Soil Builder: Very Good 
• Erosion Fighter: Very Good
• Weed Fighter: Good
• Good Grazing: Very Good
• Mechanical Forage Harvest: Very Good
• Grain Seed Harvest: Good 
• Cash Crop Interseed: Excellent
• Attract Beneficial Insects: Excellent

Additional Considerations

• Tolerant to shade, flooding and low fertility
• Good fit in weather destroyed crops or prevent plant acres
• No allelopathic affect ahead of corn
• Possible N fixer
• Low water use 

This fact sheet is a collaborative effort of Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide information on cover crops. For more information consult www.midwestcovercrops.org/michigan/. USDA participants should follow the specifications in their conservation plan and the NRCS Cover Crop Termination Guidelines.