Red Clover
Seed # 48
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 48
- Seed Name
- Red Clover
- Variety
- Not recorded
- Category
- Medicinal
- Plant Family
- Fabaceae
- Plant Type
- Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Feb 15
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Sep 15
- Plantable Months
- February, March, April, May, August, September
- Indoor Start
- Not recorded
- Direct Sow
- Feb 15 – Sep 15
- Transplant
- Not Recommended
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not Recommended
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- Not Recommended
- Germination Days
- 7–14 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- 45-75°F
- Planting Depth
- 1/4 in
- Plant Spacing
- Broadcast or 2–6 in
- Row Spacing
- Not recorded
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water Needs
- Requires regular moisture; performs poorly under prolonged drought
- Soil Preference
- Adaptable to many soil types; tolerates heavier and somewhat acidic soils; good drainage preferred
- Minimum Container Size
- 2 gal
- Plant Height
- 12-36 in
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Perennial
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- No
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- Yes
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Medicinal Pollinator Seed Saving TeaCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arugula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Broccoli | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Broccoli | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Brussel Sprouts | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Cabbage | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Kale | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Radish | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Mar 25 – Jun 15; Aug 15 – Sep 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 60–90 days; flowers year 1/2
Container Friendly: Yes, but best in ground
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Red clover has traditional herbal use; white clover pollinator/cover crop
Perennial?: Yes/short-lived perennial
Succession / Reusable Notes: Good living mulch, cover crop, and pollinator support.
Zone 6B Notes: Can spread; mow/contain as needed.
Companion Plants: Fruit trees, garden paths, pollinator beds, brassicas nearby, living mulch where managed
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Tiny seedlings/crops if allowed to overtake
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Red clover is well suited to the Upper Midwest. It can be frost-seeded in late winter, spring-sown, or seeded again in late summer. It is usually a short-lived perennial lasting approximately 2-3 years.
Germination: Frost seeding uses freeze-thaw cycles to work seed into the soil. Seed begins germinating as conditions become favorable around 45°F and above.
Harvest: Flower heads may be harvested when freshly open for tea or other traditional uses.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to mature and brown before collecting seed. Red clover is insect-pollinated and plants cross readily.
Special Care: As a nitrogen-fixing legume, inoculation with appropriate Rhizobium can improve establishment where compatible bacteria are absent. High heat, drought and flooding reduce persistence.
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/forage-selection/forage-legumes — Trifolium pratense identity, short-lived perennial habit, soil adaptation, moisture limitations and nitrogen fixation
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2022/03/its-time-for-frost-seeding-using.html — late-winter frost seeding and germination once temperatures reach approximately 45°F
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/edible-flowers — red clover flowers as edible and suitable for tea
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]