How to Grow Legumes (Clovers & Alfalfa)

Legumes (Clovers & Alfalfa)

Trifolium spp., Medicago sativa

herb

Nitrogen-fixing legumes including clovers (white, red, crimson) and alfalfa are perennial or annual plants that form symbiotic relationships with rhizobia bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into soil-available forms. These plants are essential components of pasture and hay systems, improving soil fertility while providing high-protein forage for livestock. They also suppress weeds and improve soil structure.

Looking for a specific variety?

White Clover Red Clover Crimson Clover Alfalfa Ladino Clover Birdsfoot Trefoil

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

Plant Legumes (Clovers & Alfalfa)
Around Apr 17

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

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

≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; alfalfa prefers maximum sunlight for productivity

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Water: Moderate and consistent moisture during establishment; established stands tolerate drought well. Alfalfa develops deep taproots and requires good drainage to prevent rot. Clovers prefer slightly more frequent moisture than alfalfa.

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Spacing: Seeding rate 15-25 lbs/acre for pasture mixes (varies by species and mixture proportion) inches

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Days to maturity: First usable forage 60-90 days; full establishment 120-180 days

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Planting depth: 1/4 to 1/2 inch (shallow seeding critical for small seeds)

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to clay loam soil; alfalfa prefers slightly deeper, less waterlogged conditions than clovers

pH: 6.0-7.5 (alfalfa prefers 6.5-7.5; clovers tolerate 5.5-7.5)

Amendments:

Phosphorus (boosts nodulation) Potassium Molybdenum (critical for nitrogen fixation) Inoculant with appropriate Rhizobium species (essential if new to legume cultivation)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

White clover: zones 3-9; Red clover: zones 3-8; Alfalfa: zones 3-9 (depending on variety)

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

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Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-4 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge and first true leaves appear; root development begins with potential Rhizobium infection forming.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect seedlings from grazing/trampling for 6-8 weeks. Ensure inoculant was applied to seed or soil.

Vegetative Establishment

4-12 weeks

Rapid leaf and shoot development; clover develops stolons (runners) and branch systems; alfalfa develops its characteristic taproot.

Monitor for nodule formation (pink/red interior indicates active nitrogen fixation). Light grazing after 8-12 weeks stimulates branching. Avoid heavy grazing during first season.

Root & Nodule Development

6-16 weeks (ongoing in established stands)

Rhizobia bacteria colonize roots forming nitrogen-fixing nodules; alfalfa's taproot reaches 3-6 feet; clover roots remain shallower.

This is critical for long-term nitrogen fixation capability. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer applications which inhibit nodulation. Ensure adequate molybdenum and phosphorus.

Flowering & Forage Production

Varies; continuous with rotation

Purple-pink (red clover), white (white clover), or purple spikes (alfalfa) appear; plant reaches optimal nutritional quality for livestock.

Harvest at early bloom for maximum protein and palatability. Clovers typically flower 60-90 days after seeding; alfalfa in year 2. Grazing or cutting at pre-bloom stage encourages repeat growth.

Mature Stand & Nitrogen Contribution

Ongoing (seasons to years)

Established legume pasture with active nitrogen fixation supporting grass companion plants; self-seeding occurs if allowed to go to seed.

Rotate grazing to prevent overuse of legume-rich patches. Clovers last 2-3 years; alfalfa persists 3-8+ years. Reseed thin patches annually. Monitor for weeds and pest encroachment.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Perennial ryegrass Tall fescue Orchardgrass Timothy grass Birdsfoot trefoil Sainfoin Other legume species in polyculture mixes

Avoid planting near:

High-nitrogen fertilized pastures (suppresses legume nodulation) Soybeans in rotation (shared pest and disease pressures) Areas recently treated with copper fungicides (toxicity to rhizobia)

Common Pests

Early cutting before peak larval emergence; grazing at appropriate timing; parasitic wasps; allow 2-3 weeks regrowth before cutting again
Similar to alfalfa weevil; grazing management; insecticidal soap for severe outbreaks
Natural predators; avoid overgrazing which exposes bare soil; neem oil for severe infestations
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; choose resistant varieties; fungicides rarely necessary in pasture settings
Select resistant varieties; avoid overuse of same pasture area; adequate drainage; crop rotation
Parasitic nematodes; early cutting before adult emergence; rotational grazing

Uses

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Livestock Forage & Feed

Culinary

Legumes in pasture mixes provide high-quality, protein-rich feed for cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock. Fresh pasture legumes improve milk quality and meat flavor compared to grass-only diets. [source]

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Nitrogen Fixation & Soil Fertility

Household

Legumes form symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available nitrate, eliminating the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and reducing input costs by $30-50/acre annually. [source]

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Soil Health & Structure

Household

Legume roots and organic matter improve soil aggregation, water infiltration, and microbial activity. Their root residues contribute significant organic carbon, building soil health over time and reducing erosion. [source]

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Pollinator & Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife

Clover and alfalfa flowers are prolific nectar and pollen sources for honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Legume-rich pastures support greater insect diversity and bird populations than monoculture grass. [source]

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Herbal & Nutritional Products

Medicinal

Red clover is traditionally used in herbal medicine for hormonal balance and respiratory health; alfalfa is valued as a nutrient-dense sprout and hay supplement for human and animal nutrition, rich in vitamins and minerals. [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 forage/pasture: Graze when legumes reach early bloom (higher protein, better palatability) or at bud stage for first cutting. Cut/graze before seed set to encourage regrowth. For seed production: Allow first year growth to establish, harvest seed crop in second year when pods dry. For hay: Cut at early bloom, dry quickly to preserve nutrients and color.

Fun Facts

🌱 A single acre of healthy legume pasture can fix 100-300 lbs of atmospheric nitrogen annually, equivalent to several expensive bags of synthetic fertilizer.
🌱 Rhizobium bacteria can detect and respond to legume root signals, forming nodules only when symbiotic conditions are right—a remarkable example of plant-bacteria communication.
🌱 White clover forms stolons (horizontal runners) that can spread across pastures, while red clover and alfalfa grow more upright; mixing species creates diverse pasture structure and grazing options.

Gardening Terms

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

Annual Full Sun Perennial pH Runner True Leaves

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