This species requires a pH of 6.5 or higher and a well drained soil. Sweetclover seed typically contains a percentage of hard seed which may produce volunteer plants for many years, once the seed has been introduced into the area. Use red clover or alfalfa on land destined for future production of animal hay as sweetclover forage is not desirable for animal feeding. Red Clover Medium red clover is a widely grown legume for both forage and soil cover purposes. Red clover is more easily established and is more tolerant of a lower soil pH and of poorly drained soils than sweetclover and alfalfa.
Red clover is easier to establish in small grains than is alfalfa.
Red clover can effectively be harvested after September 1 of the seeding year. It differs from medium red in that it is later maturing and for hay purposes it is considered a single cut clover. Contrary to popular opinion, mammoth does not have a larger root system than medium red clover. As temporary soil cover it is equal but not superior to medium red clover. Alsike Clover Alsike clover is a perennial but usually behaves agriculturally as a biennial due to its susceptibility to disease.