Crimson clover provides early spring nitrogen for full-season crops in Southern regions and rapid summer or fall growth in cool-season areas.
Species/Variety | Lifespan | Root Structure | Carbon Ratio | pH |
---|---|---|---|---|
Legumes/ Kentucky Pride Crimson Clover | A | TAP | 20:1 | 4.8-8.2 |
Lifespan: A = Annual; B = Biennial; P = Perennial
Tolerates well or is useful for
Is somewhat tolerant or is somewhat useful for
Is not tolerant or should not be used for
Crimson clover is widely used in the South for roadside cover or as a re-seeding annual clover in pastures and hay ground. It is gaining popularity as a versatile summer annual cover crop in Northern regions.
While it should be noted that Dixie Crimson Clover was an achievement in its time, plant breeding advancements give agricultural producers much more powerful and fit for purpose tools.
On average, our three alternative clover varieties had a 39% greater winter survival rate and average rooting depth than the industry standard Dixie Crimson Clover. Kentucky Pride Crimson Clover, Frosty Berseem Clover and FIXatioN Balansa Clover also averaged a 67% advantage for weed suppression than Dixie Crimson Clover.
Nitrogen Fixation | Ability to fix nitrogen into your soil for your subsequent cash crops to utilize as fertilizer for growth and energy | |
Weed Suppression | Ability to suppress weeds by shading soil and releasing allelopathic chemicals | |
Beneficial Insectary | Ability to attract beneficial insects and reduce your reliance on costly insecticides | |
Forage Quality | Ability to improve forage quality by suppressing weeds and providing highly nutritious forage | |
Nutrient Recycling | Ability to store excess nutrients from cash crops for use in subsequent plantings | |
Quick Regrowth | Ability to increase soil organic matter by accumulating biomass in a short period of time | |
Soil Compaction | Ability to increase nutrient uptake and root development by breaking up dense and compacted soil | |
Erosion Control | Ability to hold soil in place to capture and retain moisture from rainfall and prevent topsoil erosion | |
Water Management | Ability to increase field productivity by improving the drainage of wet soils | |
Nematode Resistance | Ability to suppress the growth of nematodes by interrupting their reproductive cycles |
Heat | Ability to tolerate heat stress caused by warm temperatures and/or limited water availability | |
Drought | Ability to tolerate periods of limited water availability | |
Sub-Freezing | Ability to tolerate freezing temperatures for an extended period of time | |
Shade | Ability to tolerate low light conditions caused by plant competition | |
Flood | Ability to tolerate standing water or flooded areas for a limited period of time | |
Low Fertility | Ability to tolerate soils with limited nitrogen, and other mineral resources necessary for growth |
Silage | |
Hay | |
Grazing | |
Stockpile |
Corn | |
Cotton | |
Rice | |
Soybean | |
Wheat |
Monoculture | In Mixes | |
---|---|---|
Seeding Rate | 15-20 lbs/acre drilled | 5-10 lbs/acre drilled |
Planting depth | 1/4 inch |
What is Crimson Clover?
Dixie Crimson Clover was released in 1953, its trait for hard seeds filled a huge market need for a re-reseeding pasture legume. The ability it gave producers to easily add natural nitrogen and protein into pasture quickly made it the industry standard variety – a title it still holds today
We sell wholesale seed and breed improved turf, forage, and cover crop seeds.
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