Clover Seed Prices and Planting Methods Explained in Detail
Clover, also known as lucky clover, trefoil, and sweet clover, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Trifolium in the Fabaceae family. It is cultivated all over the world and grows in a semi-wild state in moist grasslands, along riverbanks, and by roadsides. The countries that have bred the most forage varieties include Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Let us take a look at clover seed prices and planting methods below!
How much does a jin of clover seed cost?
The price of clover seed is about 20-30 yuan per jin, but prices vary widely depending on seed quality, variety, and place of origin. Clover prefers a moist and warm climate, is relatively drought-tolerant and cold-tolerant, and is suitable for growing in well-drained, calcium-rich clay soil. Its growth cycle is generally 2-6 years, and under warm conditions it is often shortened to a biennial or annual, with seedling management after sowing lasting about 30-50 days.
How are clover seeds sown?
1. Sowing time: The best time to sow clover seeds is in spring and autumn, with the optimum growth temperature being 19-24°C. For spring sowing, this can be done from late March to late April, and sowing can begin once the temperature is stable above 15°C. Autumn sowing generally starts from mid-to-late September.
2. Seed treatment: Before sowing clover, the seeds should be soaked. For every 1 kg of seed, add 1.5 kg of water plus 1 g of ammonium molybdate and soak for 12 hours. Then mix evenly with 5-10 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer and 5-10 kg of fine soil or yellow sand before sowing.
3. Sowing method: There are various ways to sow clover; it can be sown alone or mixed, in drills or broadcast. For artificial grassland, sow 0.4-0.5 kg per mu, with a sowing depth of 1-2 cm in moist conditions. Note that if sown too deep, it is not easy for seedlings to emerge.
How is clover planted and managed?
1. Intertillage and soil loosening: After sowing clover and before emergence, if the soil becomes compacted, harrow and rake it promptly to break up the compacted layer and help seedlings emerge. Where seedlings are missing, reseed in autumn to restore grassland productivity.
2. Timely weeding: Clover grows slowly at the seedling stage and is susceptible to weed infestation. During the seedling stage, intertill, loosen the soil, and weed 1-2 times. In the 2-3 years after the grass layer forms and covers the ground, remove large weeds promptly.
3. Water and fertilizer management: In spring and autumn, before green-up and before regrowth after grazing or mowing, clover should be topdressed in combination with soil loosening, applying 20-25 kg of superphosphate per mu. Where irrigation is available, irrigate when the soil is dry or together with topdressing.
4. Pest and disease control: Clover has few diseases, but if harvesting is not timely, brown spot and powdery mildew may sometimes occur. It can be cut and used first, then controlled with Bordeaux mixture, lime sulfur mixture, or carbendazim.
5. Mowing and utilization: When clover is sown in September, it buds and flowers in April of the following year, reaches full bloom in mid-May, and when the grass layer is 15-20 cm high during the flowering period, this is the suitable time for mowing and utilization. After cutting, a second crop of grass layer can quickly form to cover the grassland.