Soil pH, phosphorus, and potassium can be built up to acceptable levels over 3 to 5 years with annual surface applications. It is more efficient, however, from the stand point of building up the soil's production capacity, to apply and incorporate lime and phosphorus well before sowing. Soil amendments should always be applied based on soil test recommendations. White clovers are often sod seeded with 3 to 4 lb. of seed per acre but can be sown in fine firm prepared seedbeeds. White clover requires good soil moisture and is not productive under droughty conditions.
Production is best on fertile, well-drained soils where rainfall is abundant.
White clover tolerates wet soils better than many other legumes. In wet sites, white clover survives summer droughts better than legumes that are intolerant of wet soils. Normally 3 to 4 oz. of inoculant is adequate for 50 lb. of clover seed. White clover may produce more than 10 tons of dry matter per acre in favorable environments. Forage production during summer is dependent on summer rainfall.