Imagine walking through a lush green field, vibrant with life, and spotting a majestic buck peacefully grazing. What if you could create that very scene on your own land? For many landowners and hunters, attracting and holding deer on their property is a dream, and the right food plot can make that dream a reality. But choosing the perfect perennial clover for deer can feel like navigating a jungle of options. You want a plant that’s nutritious, resilient, and easy to manage, but the sheer variety can leave you scratching your head.
This confusion is a common problem. You invest time and money into a food plot, only to find it doesn’t thrive or doesn’t attract the deer you hoped for. You worry about poor soil conditions, harsh weather, or simply picking a clover variety that isn’t ideal for your local deer herd. It’s frustrating to feel like you’re guessing instead of knowing.
But what if there was a way to cut through the noise and confidently select a perennial clover that will transform your land into a deer magnet? By the end of this post, you’ll understand exactly what makes a perennial clover a winner for deer. We’ll break down the key features to look for, explore some of the best varieties available, and give you the knowledge to make a smart choice that will benefit your deer herd for years to come. Get ready to unlock the secrets to a thriving deer habitat!
Top Perennial Clover For Deer Recommendations
- Packed with ANTLER-BUILDING protein
- Helps does deliver HEAVIER, HEALTHIER fawns and produce more milk
- EXTREMELY cold tolerant as well as heat and drought resistant
- Coated with RainBond for ENHANCED seedling survivability
- Lasts up to 5 years from a single planting
- CLOVER SEEDS FOR DEER & TURKEY – Pure Whitetail Clover Xtreme Select Food Plot Seed Blends create an irresistible natural forage buffet for whitetail deer and turkey. Using only the highest quality clover food plot seeds, Pure Whitetail’s Clover Xtreme Select Seed Blends create habit forming deer and turkey travel patterns in your desired locations.
- PREMIUM SEEDS – Pure Whitetail’s Clover Xtreme uses only the highest quality food plot seeds, which create a potent all-season turkey and deer food source. Don’t work harder than you need to. Let these turkey and deer food plot seeds bulk up the deer and turkey for you. Turkey and deer hunting has never been simpler.
- EASY TO USE – These premium food plot seeds for whitetail deer provide no till food plot seed for deer that is perfect for your favorite hunting spots. Deer feeders aren’t necessary when you use these premium deer food plot seed. Simply sow the seeds wherever you want to feed deer. Pure Whitetail Clover Xtreme is also excellent as turkey food plot seed. Turkey and deer feed, grow big and strong, and keep coming back for more!
- DROUGHT RESISTANT PERENNIAL FOOD PLOT – Pure Whitetail Clover Xtreme is the perfect choice for a year-round turkey and buck food plot that resists heat, drought, disease, and cold. Clover Xtreme includes a precise mixture of White Cloud Clover seed, Black Arrowleaf Clover seed, and Ladino Clover seeds. These protein rich and highly palatable hardy food plot seeds for deer and turkey provide a reliable food source with minimal effort.
- ONE 5 LB BAG COVERS 1 ACRE – Sow the seeds where turkey and whitetail access your favorite hunting spot to create a whitetail food plot deer and turkey will return to forage year-round. Clover Xtreme may be the easiest way to create a secret spot food plot for wildlife. Growth between 12" - 36" high. Our mix grows up to 5 years. Each bag covers 1 acre.
![HIT LIST SEED® Alfalfa + Clover Food Plot Seeds for Deer [Perennial] - Food Plot Seed Perennial - Deer Plot Seed Mix - Ladino/Red/Crimson Clover, Alfalfa, Chicory - Spring & Fall Planting - 5 lbs](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+f3EX-mtL._SL160_.jpg)
- Perfect: This perfect food plot blend of Ladino Clover, Red Clover, Alfalfa, Crimson Clover, and Chicory Provides Attractive Nutrition that helps add mass to your bucks
- Protein: High protein perennial forage contains muscle building protein that helps add mass to whitetails, blacktails, mule deer and more
- Versatile: Highly attractive to deer throughout all of hunting season. The leafy forage is attractive to deer and can be planted in the spring or fall
- Tolerant: This Drought tolerant blend helps fixate nitrogen, is high in protein and tolerates less than ideal soils
- Perennial: This perennial blend comes back year after year and is designed for maximum nutrition
- Includes annual 210K kale specially selected by extensive preference testing on free-ranging deer across the U.S. and Canada
- Includes Imperial Whitetail Clover for maximum attraction, high protein levels, longevity and variety
- High tonnage for early and late seasons; Provides up to 36% antler-building protein
- EXTREMELY cold tolerant; Heat, and drought resistant
- Coated with RainBond for enhanced seedling survivability; Perennial clovers last up to 5 years from a single planting
![HIT LIST SEED® Shade Food Plot Seeds for Deer [Annual & Perennial] - Deer Food Plot Seed Perennial - Deer Plot Seed Mix - Clover, Forage Brassica & Ryegrass - Spring, Summer & Fall Planting - 3 lbs](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XkTHSOp5L._SL160_._SL160_.jpg)
- Perfect: Blend of Ladino Clover, Forage Brassica, and Annual Ryegrass is ideal for low sun conditions
- Nutrient Rich: These seeds produce nutrient dense plants that deer love to eat!
- Beginners and Veterans: Great food plot blend for seasoned veterans and beginners alike - this blend germinates quickly!
- Annual & Perennial: This blend Can Be Planted Each Year and Will Also Come Back on it’s Own!
- Spring and Fall: Plant in the Spring OR the Fall in all regions!
![HIT LIST SEED® Chicory + Clover Food Plot Seeds for Deer [Perennial] - Deer Food Plot Seed Perennial - Deer Plot Seed Mix - Chicory, Ladino Clover, Red Clover - Spring, Summer & Fall Planting - 3 lbs](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uOg8HU+dS._SL160_._SL160_.jpg)
- Perennial: Perennial blend of Ladino Clover, Red Clover and Six Point Chicory for your deer food plot - a great hunting solution!
- Protein: Provides up to 40% antler building protein for whitetails, blacktails, mule deer and more
- Tolerant: Extremely cold tolerant seed, resistant to drought and heat
- 5 Years: One planting can provide nutrition for up to 5 years with proper annual maintenance
- Versatile: Can be planted in Spring or Fall with great success & comes in 1/2 acre (3 lb) and 1 acre (6 lb) sizes
- 5 types of clover
- Perennial Mix; Up to 5 Years
- Highly Palatable Protein
- Drought Tolerant
- Graze Tolerant
![HIT LIST SEED® Alfalfa + Clover Food Plot Seeds for Deer [Perennial] - Food Plot Seed Perennial - Deer Plot Seed Mix - Ladino/Red/Crimson Clover, Alfalfa, Chicory - Spring & Fall Planting - 10 lbs](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CY44ZcgPL._SL160_._SL160_.jpg)
- Perfect: This perfect food plot blend of Ladino Clover, Red Clover, Alfalfa, Crimson Clover, and Chicory Provides Attractive Nutrition that helps add mass to your bucks
- Protein: High protein perennial forage contains muscle building protein that helps add mass to whitetails, blacktails, mule deer and more
- Versatile: Highly attractive to deer throughout all of hunting season. The leafy forage is attractive to deer and can be planted in the spring or fall
- Tolerant: This Drought tolerant blend helps fixate nitrogen, is high in protein and tolerates less than ideal soils
- Perennial: This perennial blend comes back year after year and is designed for maximum nutrition
Grow a Deer Haven: Your Guide to Perennial Clover
Want to attract more deer to your property? Planting perennial clover is a fantastic way to provide them with a delicious and nutritious food source that lasts year after year. This guide will help you choose the best perennial clover for your deer habitat.
1. Key Features to Look For
When you’re shopping for perennial clover seed, keep these important features in mind:
- Drought Tolerance: Some clover varieties handle dry spells better than others. Look for descriptions that mention good drought resistance. This means your clover patch will stay green and tasty even when it’s hot and dry.
- Winter Hardiness: Deer need food year-round. Choose a clover that can survive cold winters and come back strong in the spring.
- Nutritional Value: High protein content is key for deer health, especially for does and fawns. Look for clover that is rich in protein.
- Regrowth Ability: Good perennial clover will regrow quickly after deer have grazed on it. This ensures a continuous food supply.
- Ease of Establishment: Some seeds are easier to get growing than others. Simpler planting methods mean less work for you.
2. Important Materials
The “material” for perennial clover is, of course, the seed itself. However, the quality of the seed is what matters most. You’re looking for:
- Pure Seed: The bag should contain mostly clover seed. You don’t want a lot of filler or weed seeds mixed in.
- Viable Seed: This means the seeds are alive and ready to sprout. Reputable sellers will offer high germination rates.
- Specific Varieties: Different types of clover offer different benefits. Common and excellent choices for deer include:
- White Clover (Dutch Clover): This is a very popular choice. It’s hardy, spreads well, and is nutritious.
- Red Clover: This variety grows taller and is also very protein-rich. It often mixes well with other forage plants.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things make perennial clover great, and some can make it less so.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Good Soil: Clover loves well-drained soil. If your soil is too wet or too hard, the clover won’t grow as well.
- Sunlight: Clover needs plenty of sunshine to thrive. A shady spot will lead to weaker plants.
- Proper Planting: Following the planting instructions carefully is crucial. Planting too deep or too shallow can hurt germination.
- pH Level: Clover prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil. Soil testing can help you know if you need to adjust your soil’s pH.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Poor Drainage: Soggy soil can kill clover.
- Too Much Shade: Not enough sun means thin, weak plants.
- Weed Competition: If weeds take over, they’ll steal water and nutrients from your clover.
- Overgrazing: While deer eating the clover is the goal, if they eat it all down to nothing too quickly, it can stress the plants and prevent regrowth.
- Incorrect Planting Depth: Seeds planted too deep won’t sprout.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
People plant perennial clover for deer for several reasons. It’s a great way to:
- Create Food Plots: A dedicated patch of clover becomes a prime spot for deer to gather and feed.
- Improve Deer Health: The high protein content supports antler growth in bucks and milk production in does.
- Increase Deer Sightings: A reliable food source naturally draws deer to your land, making them easier to see.
- Enhance Hunting Opportunities: Hunters often target areas with good food sources like clover.
- Attract Other Wildlife: Bees and other pollinators also love clover!
The experience is generally positive. Users report seeing more deer and healthier-looking deer after establishing clover plots. It’s a relatively low-maintenance way to improve your land for wildlife. You’ll enjoy watching deer graze in your yard or hunting property.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Perennial Clover for Deer
Q: What is perennial clover?
A: Perennial clover is a type of plant that lives for many years. It comes back year after year from its roots, providing a food source for deer throughout the seasons.
Q: Why is clover good for deer?
A: Clover is packed with protein and other nutrients that deer need to grow strong antlers, stay healthy, and raise their young. It’s a very tasty and digestible food for them.
Q: How long does perennial clover last?
A: Perennial clover can last for several years, often 3 to 5 years or even longer, depending on the variety and how well it’s maintained.
Q: When is the best time to plant clover for deer?
A: The best time to plant is usually in early spring or late summer/early fall. This gives the seeds a chance to sprout and establish before extreme weather hits.
Q: Do I need to till the soil before planting?
A: Tilling helps prepare a good seedbed, but it’s not always required. You can often plant clover into existing vegetation or lightly disturbed soil.
Q: How much seed do I need?
A: The amount of seed depends on the size of the area you want to plant. Check the seed bag for recommended seeding rates, which are usually given in pounds per acre.
Q: Can I mix clover with other plants?
A: Yes! Mixing clover with other forage plants like chicory or grasses can create a more diverse and appealing food plot for deer.
Q: What happens if deer eat all the clover?
A: If deer eat the clover down very low, it can stress the plants. However, good perennial clover will usually regrow if it has enough moisture and sunshine.
Q: How do I keep weeds from taking over my clover plot?
A: Mowing your clover plot occasionally can help control weeds. Also, planting a thick stand of clover from the start makes it harder for weeds to get established.
Q: Will other animals eat the clover besides deer?
A: Yes, many animals enjoy clover, including rabbits, groundhogs, and various birds. Pollinators like bees also love clover flowers.