Organic Alsike Clover - Raw Seed (lb)

Trifolium hybridum fills an important niche among clovers: it performs in cool, moist ground where many other forage legumes struggle. Alsike clover tolerates poorly drained and periodically waterlogged soils, making it useful for low areas, heavy ground, and northern climates with dependable moisture. It is very cold hardy but poorly suited to hot, dry regions.

This certified organic seed produces a relatively short-lived perennial that is often managed as an annual or biennial, although stands may persist for several years under favorable conditions. Plants generally reach about 18 inches and produce white-to-pink flowers that supply nectar for bees. Alsike can contribute nitrogen as a green manure and may be combined with upright grasses that provide support for its fine stems.

This is raw, uninoculated seed. Apply an alfalfa-clover inoculant before planting so compatible Rhizobium bacteria can form root nodules and support nitrogen fixation. Avoid placing alsike clover in dry, sandy sites or relying on it for southern heat tolerance. For green manure, terminate before mature seed develops. For forage use, manage it as part of a mixed stand rather than a dominant monoculture.

Livestock caution: Alsike clover should be avoided in horse pasture and hay because it can cause photosensitivity and liver damage. It may also present bloat or photosensitization concerns for grazing ruminants, particularly when it makes up a large portion of the forage. Consult a veterinarian or livestock nutrition professional before using it for grazing or hay.

• Scientific Name: Trifolium hybridum
• Growth Habit: Cool-season, short-lived perennial legume; often managed as an annual or biennial
• Application Rate: 15–20 lb per acre or 0.5–2 lb per 1,000 sq ft
• Inoculant: Strongly recommended for effective nodulation and nitrogen fixation, especially where this legume has not recently been grown. Use Alfalfa-Clover Inoculant (treats 50 lb) and plant promptly after treating the seed.
• Germination: Approximately 5–10 days under suitable conditions
• Plant Height: Approximately 18 inches
• Uses: Green manure, nitrogen fixation, wet-site cover cropping, pollinator forage, and carefully managed mixed forage
• Site Adaptation: Cool climates and moist or poorly drained soils; not well suited to hot, dry southern conditions
• Livestock Warning: Do not use for horse pasture or hay; obtain professional guidance before grazing other livestock