The most important and difficult phase of successful production of crimson clover is getting a stand. Sufficient soil moisture to germinate the seed and to establish the seedlings is the greatest factor in obtaining a stand, which when established usually produces a good crop.

Seedings are usually made in late August or early September between the rows of cultivated crops. Under such conditions an ideal seedbed is difficult to prepare, therefore careful preparation is necessary. Furthermore, the crop plants in the row shade the clover seedlings and seriously compete with them for the available moisture. Increasing the distance between the rows and planting the row crop more thinly will afford better opportunity for the establishment of the clover. When planted between the rows of other crops, the seed is usually broadcast on the surface and covered by cultivating or harrowing (fig. 2). Drilling the seed after the soil surface has been stirred will usually give more complete stands than broadcasting, and it may be done with a small one-horse drill. The seed should not be planted more than one-half to three-fourths of an inch deep, respectively, in clay and sandy soils.

Crimson clover is often seeded following a grain crop, and this is a surer method of establishing a stand than planting between the rows of cultivated crops, providing the seedbed is well prepared. After the grain crop is removed the soil is plowed or disked and allowed to settle. This is followed by light harrowing or disking when necessary to kill weed seedlings. Before the clover is seeded the soil should be firmly packed, because a loose cloddy seedbed is the forerunner of failure. The seed may be either drilled or broadcast, but drilling will give more uniform stands.