Red clover is more tolerant of poorer drained soils and lower pH and is easier to establish than many other legumes. However, it also needs to be reseeded more often than some legumes because it is a plant that lasts about two years. The plant does not live long in central and southern Ohio and is not recommended for these areas. It is also the least palatable of the legumes. This plant is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions and will last for many years if properly managed.
Special care is needed for seeding, as the seedlings are weak and hard to establish.
Only bluegrass should be planted with birdsfoot trefoil in pastures because of its sensitivity to grass competition for nutrients. Alfalfa has the highest yield potential and the most feed value of all the perennial pasture forages. It is unexcelled in drought tolerance. However, it requires very precise seeding and grazing management because it requires excellent surface drainage, good internal soil drainage, and a pH near 7.0. As a result alfalfa is not usually included in horse pastures but is used more for hay production.