How to Grow Legumes (Clover & Alfalfa)

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Legumes (Clover & Alfalfa)

Trifolium spp. (clover), Medicago sativa (alfalfa)

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Legumes are nitrogen-fixing plants that form symbiotic relationships with soil bacteria, enriching soil naturally. Clover and alfalfa are commonly used in crop rotation and cover cropping to improve soil fertility and structure. These deep-rooted plants break up compacted soil while building organic matter and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Looking for a specific variety?

Ladino clover Dutch clover Alsike clover Crimson clover White clover Red clover Ranger alfalfa WL366HQ alfalfa

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Example Legumes (Clover & Alfalfa) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Legumes (Clover & Alfalfa)
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Legumes (Clover & Alfalfa)
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Legumes (Clover & Alfalfa) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily for optimal growth and nitrogen fixation

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Water: Moderate moisture; 1-1.5 inches weekly. Alfalfa is drought-tolerant once established with deep roots. Clover prefers slightly moister conditions. Avoid waterlogging.

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Spacing: Sow densely for cover crops (broadcast 15-20 lbs/acre for clover, 20-30 lbs/acre for alfalfa); thin seedlings to 6-12 inches if growing individual plants inches

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Days to maturity: Clover 60-90 days to flowering; alfalfa 120-150 days to first cutting

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches; very shallow seeding

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to slightly clayey soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Lime to raise pH if below 6.0 Compost or aged manure for organic matter Inoculant with Rhizobium bacteria for nitrogen fixation Rock phosphate for phosphorus

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Clover thrives in zones 3-9; alfalfa in zones 4-9. Both tolerate cool climates well.

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons and first true leaves visible within 7-14 days. Delicate, sparse growth.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect from heavy foot traffic. Light mulch can help retain moisture. Ensure adequate light to prevent leggy growth.

Vegetative Growth

3-6 weeks

Rapid leaf and stem development; trifoliate (three-lobed) leaves become prominent. Plant spreads via runners (clover) or upright growth (alfalfa). Nitrogen fixation begins.

Allow adequate spacing to prevent disease. Monitor for weeds; hand-pull early to reduce competition. Inoculated bacteria should be actively colonizing root nodules.

Flowering & Nodulation

4-8 weeks

Flower heads appear (red, white, or purple for clover; purple for alfalfa). Root nodules are fully developed and actively fixing nitrogen. Plants reach 12-24 inches tall.

Do not harvest yet if using as cover crop; allow flowers to develop fully for maximum nitrogen fixation. Monitor for pest damage. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers as they inhibit nodulation.

Seed Development & Maturity

3-4 weeks

Flowers dry to seed pods (for seed production). Peak biomass and nitrogen accumulation in roots and tissue. Plant material becomes denser and more fibrous.

If harvesting for hay/forage, cut before seed drop to maximize nutrition. For cover crops, allow plants to mature fully before incorporation. Mature stands are tougher to till in.

Soil Incorporation & Decomposition

2-4 weeks (after tillage)

Plant material is tilled or turned into soil. Biomass breaks down, releasing fixed nitrogen and organic matter into the soil profile.

Till 2-4 weeks before planting next crop to allow decomposition. Water well after incorporation to speed breakdown. Bacteria will continue fixing nitrogen during decomposition.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Grasses (as part of grass-legume pasture mixes) Root vegetables (in rotation after legumes) Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli in rotation) Cucurbits (squash, pumpkin in rotation) Cereals (oats, barley in multi-species cover crops)

Avoid planting near:

High-nitrogen fertilizer applications (inhibits nitrogen fixation) Heavy-feeding plants in same rotation immediately Continuous monoculture of legumes without crop rotation

Common Pests

Early cutting before larval damage peaks; biological control with parasitic wasps; resistant varieties; avoid late fall cutting that weakens plants
Rotate crops; destroy crop residue; grow resistant varieties; clip plants when adults are active to reduce feeding damage
Plant tolerant varieties; early cutting; natural predators; avoid excessive nitrogen; insecticidal soap if severe
Harvest before peak adult activity; crop rotation; remove debris; early spring cutting reduces populations
Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; select resistant varieties; fungicide application if necessary

Uses

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Nutritious livestock forage and hay

Culinary

Clover and alfalfa are premium livestock feed rich in protein and minerals. Dried alfalfa hay is a staple for horses, cattle, and goats worldwide, providing balanced nutrition. [source]

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Herbal remedies and supplements

Medicinal

Alfalfa is used in traditional medicine as a nutritional tonic, hormone balancer, and anti-inflammatory. Clover tea is used for respiratory health and hormonal support, particularly in women. [source]

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Nitrogen fixation for soil improvement

Household

Legumes form symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable soil nitrogen, reducing fertilizer dependency by 50-100 lbs/acre. [source]

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Green manure and cover cropping

Craft

Incorporated legumes act as 'green manure,' adding 100-300 lbs/acre of nitrogen and 2-5 tons of organic matter per acre, improving soil structure and water-holding capacity for subsequent crops. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and beneficial insect habitat

Wildlife

Flowering legumes attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Dense legume stands provide ground cover for ground-nesting birds and small mammals. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For cover crops, plow in 2-4 weeks before planting next crop (late fall/early spring). For forage/hay, harvest at early flowering stage (peak nutrition, before seed set). Cut 2-3 inches above soil to allow regrowth. For clover hay, dry to <20% moisture before storage. Alfalfa can be cut 2-4 times per season depending on zone. Seed production requires allowing plants to mature fully and dry in field.

Fun Facts

🌱 A single alfalfa plant can produce 30+ tons of plant material over its 5-8 year lifespan, fixing over 250 lbs of nitrogen per acre annually—equivalent to 100+ lbs of synthetic fertilizer.
🌱 Rhizobium bacteria colonize legume roots forming nodules the size of rice grains; each nodule can fix 1-3 mg of nitrogen daily under optimal conditions.
🌱 Clover naturally suppresses weeds and reduces soil-borne diseases through allelopathic compounds and competitive vigor, reducing herbicide need in rotation systems.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cover Crop Full Sun Mulch Runner True Leaves

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