Clover Planting Methods and Planting Time Explained in Detail

SummaryPlanting time: March to April in spring or September in autumn. Seed soaking and germination: mix water and ammonium molybdate at a ratio of 5000:1, then soak the seeds for 12-13 hours. Soil selection: mix garden soil, yellow sand and organic fertilizer at a ratio of 5:3:2 for growing. Start sowing: scatter 18-20 seeds on the soil. Watering and fertilizing: apply an appropriate amount of calcium phosphate fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer. Suitable temperature: the suitable temperature for growth is 19-24°C.

1. Planting Time

Clover is suitable for sowing in March to April in spring or September in autumn. Sowing during these two periods will give a higher survival rate. First, you need to select high-quality seeds. Clover blooms from July to September every year, and clover seeds can be obtained from the flowers. If you find this troublesome, you can also buy clover seeds from the market.

2. Seed Soaking and Germination

During this period, the seeds also need to be treated. Mix water and ammonium molybdate at a ratio of 5000:1, put the selected seeds in, and soak them for about 12-13 hours. This helps promote rapid rooting and germination of the seeds and can also prevent pests and diseases.

3. Soil Selection

Clover does not have high requirements for soil. It likes to grow in soil that is loose, well aerated, good at retaining water, and highly fertile. Generally, garden soil, yellow sand and organic fertilizer can be mixed at a ratio of 5:3:2. This mixed soil can promote more robust growth of clover.

4. Start Sowing

During this period, scatter 18-20 of the treated seeds on the soil, then cover with a small amount of fine soil, spray an appropriate amount of water to keep the soil layer moist, and then place it in a shaded area for care. Wait 3-7 days for the seeds to root and sprout, then move it to a place with sufficient sunlight and care for it carefully.

5. Watering and Fertilizing

During the growth period of clover, watering should not be too much or too little, otherwise it will affect the normal growth of clover. Generally, there is no need to water if the soil is not dry. The amount of fertilizer should also be well controlled. In spring and autumn, apply calcium phosphate fertilizer once every 10-15 days. In summer, apply nitrogen fertilizer once every 1 month. In winter, no fertilizer is needed.

6. Suitable Temperature

Clover can be placed in a place with sufficient sunlight for care, which helps promote better growth and increases its ornamental value. The suitable temperature for clover growth is 19-24°C, and during this period it must not be lower than 5°C. In winter, it needs to be moved indoors, given sufficient sunlight, and the temperature controlled above 5°C, which helps clover overwinter safely.

7. Pest and Disease Control

1. Sclerotinia rot

(1) Symptoms: Sclerotinia rot is a disease that clover is relatively prone to. In the early stage of the disease, water-soaked, light brown spots appear on the leaves. If left untreated for a long time, they will quickly spread to other leaves, seriously affecting the overall appearance of clover, and white cotton-like growth will appear, causing clover to gradually wither and resulting in the death of the whole plant.

(2) Control method: If clover is found to have Sclerotinia rot, dig the clover out of the soil, cut off the rotten roots, replant it in new soil, and then spray agents such as 20% simeconazole prochloraz or 40% procymidone wettable powder for control. Spray once every 7 days, and use continuously 3-4 times.

2. White butterfly larvae

(1) Symptoms: From April to October, clover is relatively susceptible to damage by white butterfly larvae. White butterfly larvae do not suck the sap from inside clover; they directly chew the leaves of clover, causing clover to fail to grow normally. They also reduce its ornamental value, and in severe cases can cause clover to wither and die.

(2) Control method: If white butterfly larvae are found harming clover, you can manually remove all the white butterfly larvae during this period, or spray agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis powder at 1000 times dilution or Bacillus sphaericus wettable powder diluted 1000-1500 times for control. Spray once every 7 days, and use continuously 2-3 times.