How to Collect Clover Seeds? A Comprehensive Guide
Collecting clover seeds involves letting the clover flowers dry completely on the plant, then releasing the seeds through rubbing or gentle threshing, followed by cleaning and proper storage to ensure viability. Timing is crucial for a successful harvest.
Why Collect Clover Seeds?
Clover seeds offer a wealth of benefits for gardeners and homesteaders alike. From enriching soil to providing valuable forage, collecting your own seeds offers independence and sustainability.
- Soil Improvement: Clover, particularly red and white clover, are nitrogen fixers, meaning they convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.
- Erosion Control: Clover’s dense root system helps bind soil and prevent erosion, especially on slopes and in areas prone to runoff.
- Weed Suppression: A thick clover stand can outcompete weeds, reducing the need for herbicides.
- Forage and Pollinator Habitat: Clover provides excellent forage for livestock and is a vital source of nectar for pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
- Cost Savings: Harvesting your own clover seeds eliminates the cost of purchasing seeds each year.
- Seed Adaptability: Over time, seeds collected from your own garden will adapt to your specific climate and soil conditions.
Identifying and Selecting Clover
Before embarking on your seed-collecting journey, it’s essential to accurately identify the type of clover you’re working with. Different varieties offer distinct benefits and have slightly different seed characteristics.
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense): Characterized by its reddish-pink flowers, red clover is an excellent nitrogen fixer and livestock forage.
- White Clover (Trifolium repens): With its white, often subtly pink-tinged flowers, white clover is a lower-growing variety commonly used in lawns and pastures. It’s also a good nitrogen fixer.
- Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum): Pinkish-white flowers distinguish Alsike clover, which is tolerant of acidic soils and wet conditions.
- Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum): Known for its vibrant crimson-red flowers, crimson clover is a popular cover crop and nitrogen fixer.
When selecting clover plants for seed collection, prioritize healthy, vigorous specimens. Avoid plants showing signs of disease or pest infestation.
The Seed Collection Process: Step-by-Step
Here’s a detailed guide to collecting clover seeds:
Allow Flowers to Dry: This is the most crucial step. Wait until the clover flowers have completely dried and turned brown. The flower heads should feel brittle and the seeds inside should be hard. This usually occurs in late summer or early fall.
Harvest the Seed Heads: Using pruning shears or scissors, carefully cut the dried flower heads from the clover plants.
Drying (if necessary): If the flower heads aren’t completely dry, spread them out on a screen or tray in a well-ventilated area for a few days to ensure they are thoroughly dry before proceeding.
Threshing: Threshing is the process of separating the seeds from the flower heads. There are several methods:
- Hand Threshing: Rub the dried flower heads between your hands or against a rough surface (like a screen).
- Bag Threshing: Place the flower heads in a cloth bag and gently beat the bag against a hard surface.
- Treading: For larger quantities, spread the flower heads on a tarp and walk over them.
Winnowing: Winnowing removes the chaff (the unwanted plant material) from the seeds. You can do this by gently tossing the seeds and chaff into the air on a windy day. The heavier seeds will fall back down, while the lighter chaff will blow away. A fan can also be used.
Screening: Use screens with different mesh sizes to further separate the seeds from any remaining debris.
Drying (again – if necessary): Ensure the seeds are completely dry before storage to prevent mold growth. Spread them out on a tray in a well-ventilated area for a day or two.
Storage: Store the cleaned and dried clover seeds in an airtight container (such as a glass jar) in a cool, dark, and dry place. Label the container with the type of clover and the date of collection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Harvesting Too Early: This is the biggest mistake. Harvesting clover seeds before the flower heads are completely dry will result in immature, non-viable seeds.
- Improper Drying: Failing to dry the seeds thoroughly before storage can lead to mold growth and seed spoilage.
- Using Contaminated Seed: Collecting seeds from plants infected with diseases or pests will result in contaminated seed that may not germinate or may spread the problem to other areas.
- Poor Storage Conditions: Storing seeds in a warm, humid, or brightly lit location will reduce their viability.
- Not Identifying the Clover Type: Using the wrong type of clover for your intended purpose can lead to disappointing results.
Clover Seed Collection Timeline
| Task | Time of Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Clover | Spring/Fall | Depending on your climate. |
| Monitor Growth | Throughout Season | Observe plants for health and vigor. |
| Allow to Flower | Summer | Let the clover flower heads bloom and then dry completely on the plant. |
| Harvest Seeds | Late Summer/Fall | Once the flower heads are brown and brittle. |
| Clean Seeds | Immediately | Remove chaff and debris after harvesting. |
| Store Seeds | Year-Round | In a cool, dry, and dark place. |
FAQs: Clover Seed Collection
What is the best time of day to collect clover seeds?
The best time to collect clover seeds is during a dry morning, after the dew has evaporated. This helps ensure that the flower heads and seeds are as dry as possible, minimizing the risk of mold growth. Avoid collecting after rain or during periods of high humidity.
How do I know if my clover seeds are viable?
A simple germination test can determine seed viability. Place a small sample of seeds (e.g., 10-20) on a damp paper towel, fold the towel over, and place it in a plastic bag. Keep the paper towel moist and warm. After a week, check how many seeds have germinated. A germination rate of 80% or higher is considered good.
Can I collect clover seeds from my lawn?
Yes, you can collect clover seeds from your lawn, provided the clover has been allowed to flower and hasn’t been treated with herbicides. However, be aware that lawn clover may be a mixture of different varieties, and the seed you collect may not be true to type. Ensure the area is pesticide-free for at least 3 months before harvesting.
How long will clover seeds remain viable?
Clover seeds can remain viable for several years if stored properly. Under optimal conditions (cool, dry, and dark), they can maintain a germination rate of 70-80% for 3-5 years.
What if it rains after the flowers have dried but before I can harvest?
If it rains after the flowers have dried, allow them to dry completely again before harvesting. Spread the flower heads out on a screen or tray in a well-ventilated area. Monitor for mold growth.
Can I use a combine harvester to collect clover seeds?
Yes, commercial clover seed producers often use combine harvesters to collect seeds from large fields. However, for small-scale gardeners, hand harvesting is generally more practical. Adjust the combine settings carefully to minimize seed damage.
What is the best way to clean clover seeds?
The best way to clean clover seeds is a combination of winnowing and screening. Use screens with different mesh sizes to remove different sizes of debris. Start with a larger mesh to remove larger pieces of chaff and then progressively use smaller meshes.
Do I need to scarify clover seeds before planting?
Scarification, which involves scratching or abrading the seed coat, can improve germination rates, especially for older seeds. You can scarify clover seeds by rubbing them between sandpaper or placing them in a jar with coarse sand and shaking vigorously. Be gentle to avoid damaging the seeds.
What is the difference between inoculated and uninoculated clover seeds?
Inoculated clover seeds are coated with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Rhizobium). These bacteria help the clover establish quickly and efficiently fix nitrogen in the soil. If your soil is deficient in these bacteria, inoculated seeds are recommended. If you’ve grown clover in the area before, inoculation may not be necessary.
Can I collect seeds from genetically modified (GM) clover?
Collecting seeds from genetically modified (GM) clover is generally not recommended unless you are explicitly permitted to do so by the seed company. GM crops are often patented, and collecting seeds for replanting may violate intellectual property rights. Always check the seed label before collecting seeds.
How do I prevent weed seeds from contaminating my clover seed harvest?
To prevent weed seeds from contaminating your clover seed harvest, carefully weed the area around the clover plants before they flower. Also, pay close attention to the flower heads you harvest and discard any that contain weed seeds. Thorough cleaning is also crucial.
Is it possible to dry clover seed heads in a dehydrator?
While possible, extreme caution is needed. Use the lowest heat setting to prevent damage to the seeds. Carefully monitor progress. Overheating will kill the seed. It’s generally best to use a naturally ventilated area instead. Proper drying is essential, so prioritizing safe methods is a good practice.