Sweetclovers are not true clovers. The two species of sweetclovers, yellow and white, are available in a number of varieties. Most are cool-seasonbiennials, though a few white sweetclover varieties are cool-season annuals. They are all legumes. Protein content averages about 15% and they are consumed readily by deer.
Sweetclover site requirements
Sweetclovers are winter hardy so they are suitable for both northern and southern food plots. They grow best in well drained clay or loam soils. They have a deep tap root so they will tolerate drought conditions. Sweetclovers will not tolerate acidic soils. A pH near 7.0 is required for best growth.
Select varieties with low coumarin content
Sweetclovers produce a chemical called coumarin which reduces palatability of the forage in cattle. Presumably, it would affect deer similarly. Ask your seed supplier for sweetclover varieties with low coumarin content, they are probably the best choice for your food plots.
Plant sweetclover with other forages
Sweetclover is most beneficial when it is planted with other annual forages. The following are suggested forage mixtures that include sweetclover:
Yellow sweetclover and soybeans or corn . (Overseed sweet clover in existing soybean or corn stands to control weeds and provide an additional forage to deer)
Yellow sweetclover and winter wheat or winter rye. (Frost-seed sweet clover into winter wheat or winter rye to provide a spring forage for deer)
Yellow sweetclover and wheat (in the north) or oats (in the south). Plant this mixture in early-fall to attract deer to a hunting food plot.
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