Seeding Before Winter

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This is crimson clover. We plant it (as seeds) before winter to provide forage for our cattle in the spring. Crimson Clover needs only 1/8" of sowing depth to survive, and germinates in 7-21 days, depending on the climate and the condition of the soil. It can grow to a height of between 6" and 12".
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Photo Courtesy of Collin County Adventure Camp in Anna, TX and CampGradySpruce.org

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According to the Ampac Seed Co. web site, "It (Crimson Clover) thrives in a mixture with grasses, provides excellent winter grazing, and makes a good hay or cover crop. It is high in nutritive value when harvested in the pre-bloom stage. It grows vigorously on well-drained sandy or clay soils with medium-to-high fertility. It favors a neutral soil, but tolerates medium acidity. Crimson Clover makes an excellent cover crop for improving texture, organic matter and tilth of soils. Crimson Clover will return to the soil as much as 100 lbs. of nitrogen per acre if cultivated under as a green manure."
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We (primarily Jim, with Lori's and my help) broadcast Crimson Clover seed yesterday, in anticipation of last night's and today's rains. Wise decision. This will serve as our "winter pasture". That red seeder cone on the back of Jim's tractor scatters the seed. Our goal is a seeding rate of 15 lbs. per acre. There are approximately 160,000 seeds per pound, and each pound covers 2,902 square feet.
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Lori and I were on the mule, following a few feet behind, to see if the seeder was throwing the seed evenly. Both the volume and the direction of seed dispensed are adjustable using two levers (you can't see them because they're between the seeder and the tractor). Jim got the adjustments right the first time.
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Tomorrow (Saturday, 10/10/09) we will mix ryegrass and crimson clover together, and scatter those as well, on our other pastures. I am hoping that under Jim's tutelage, I'll be competent enough to do the winter seeding next year using my own tractor . It will be interesting if that seeding happens on 10/10/10!
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