How to plant/cover clover without a seeder?

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I have been trying to successfully come up with a way to sow/plant clover. I can use a pull behind seeder that spreads things fine. How can I get them covered approx 1/4 though?

Just read a thread about the landscape rake and wondered if I flipped it backwards would that give them better soil to seed contact.

I have been tilling/discing the plot then using a seed fertilizer spreader, with my Kaw mule. Then drive over it with the mule trying to get good seed to soil contact. It hasn't been a great germination rate.

I have the same issue with wheat/oat seeds in the fall. I over seed to compensate does "ok" but not good.

Any ideas?

I am planning to plant some more clover end of the month at $180 per 25# it ain't cheap...

 

[kneedeep]

Drag a piece of chain link fence with a tire tied on over the seed bed after sowing clover.
If a good seedbed is possible, just fence drag.
I used to sow wheat, clover, oats, turnips or whatever was on sale on rough disked ground so a weighted drag was needed.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Red clover can be frost seeded, broadcast the seed and let the freeze thaw cycle do the work of getting the maximum soil contact.
Talk to your extension agent for the best time for your area.
That is if there is oportunity for freeze thaw cycles in your region.

 

[airbiscuit]

For Tiny seeds like clover, I disc and then drag the area. Then I spread the seed with a small hand crank seeder. Then, I drag the area with tire chains attached to a pipe (lightly covers the seeds). Finally, I go over the area with a heavy roller to help with seed contact.

 

[airbiscuit]

A lot of food plot seeds need to be buried fairly shallow - 1/4" - 1/2". I have a disc, a springtooth and a drag to till the soil. I needed something with a lighter touch to cover the seed. I used a scrap piece of angle iron for the front attachment point. I bolted the chains together every couple of feet with 5/16" bots. I put a piece of PVC across the center of it to keep the chains spread apart. I cut the PVC in the middle (and put a smaller diameter PVC pipe in the middle) so it could flex with the ground. It smooths and covers nicely.

View attachment 706420

View attachment 706421
View attachment 706422

Seed Drag Built with Tire Chains

 

[Rockbadchild]

get a roller,
Also do you see a abondance of birds ? they might be eating them before they germinate.

 

[nyone]

since you alreaty own a landscape rake have you tried removing every other tooth on it?

 

[HybridVigor]

If you have established cover like grass but want to add clover on a budget I second the frost seeding method.

In worked ground I think you’ll find a cultipacker or roller will greatly help. I double pack when using a brillion type or spinner seeder. Timely rain certainly helps too.

When I was younger and broker I used a chain link fence scrap set up as a drag before I bought a seed drill.

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

I do not own a landscape rake. Thought/thinking this may be the reason to get one..

I think I have a piece of chain link fence in the woods behind the barn. I will check for that.

I have tried frost seeding and get some results just not the beautiful fully populated field I see others getting.

I too try to time it for a good rain. I am planting a little earlier this year to hopefully capitalize on that rain.

Crows are a my nemesis... Well that and squirrels. I plant and the crows come and walk it I'm sure eating some of the grains I have planted.

I am bought 25# of durana clover. Has a a high forage/protein rate, drought tolerant and good traffic resistance.

I need about 15 # for my deer food plots. I am planning to use the other 10# split between the rows of my blueberry plants that's about an acre, my blackberry rows (an acre) or my orchard rows 1 acre. I have planted a taller white clover over there though so maybe not all over there. What I don't use around the blackberries/blueberries I may plant around my fig rows.

The suggested seeding rate for a new plot is 5# per acre.

I may look for a used cultipacker. I think it would be faster than me trying to cover every inch with the mule.

Thanks for the ideas!

 

[airbiscuit]