Red clover is a workhorse legume for food plotters who want fast establishment and heavy tonnage. Tecomate Rackup Red Clover food plot seed is a blend made entirely of Tecomate select red clovers, and Tecomate describes it as the only deer food plot seed mix of its kind on the market. Here is what it offers, where it fits and how to plant it.
What is Rackup Red Clover?
Rackup Red Clover is a very productive, fast establishing, high protein blend of premium perennial red clovers that deer and turkey find hard to resist. It produces year-round nutrition for two years, then reseeds for even longer production.
One of its biggest selling points is flexibility. The blend will grow in most any climate or soil type, and Tecomate positions it as a substitute where alfalfa will not grow, because its tonnage and protein levels are very similar. That also makes it a useful alternative forage for cattle.
Key features of this red clover food plot seed
- Protein content: 22% to 28%
- Fast establishing and highly productive
- Grows in diverse climates and soils
- Grows well where alfalfa will not
- Year-round nutrition for two years, then reseeds
- Contents: select red clover seed
- Size: 25 lb Manager's Line bag
Who should plant red clover for deer?
Rackup Red Clover makes sense for:
- Landowners whose soil or climate will not support alfalfa but who still want a high-tonnage, high-protein legume.
- Managers who want a multi-year plot without replanting every season.
- Hunters looking for a plot that draws both deer and turkey.
- Farms that may also graze cattle and want a forage that serves double duty.
How to plant Rackup Red Clover
Tecomate's planting times:
- Zones 1 & 2: spring or fall
- Zones 3 & 4: fall only
The 25 lb bag plants 2 acres. Plant at a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
Like any small-seeded clover, Rackup does best in a clean, firm seedbed. A common sequence is to soil test and lime as needed, then break and smooth the ground with the Impact Implements 4.5 ft disc harrow. Broadcast the seed evenly, then roll it with a cultipacker to press it into the soil at that shallow 1/8 to 1/4 inch depth. Planting ahead of a rain helps germination.
When you are ready to get seed in the ground, pick up a 25 lb bag of Rackup Red Clover and plan on about 2 acres per bag.
Tips for a productive red clover plot
- Control weeds early. Young clover can be crowded out by grass and broadleaf weeds; periodic mowing is a common, simple way to keep weeds in check.
- Let it reseed. Because Rackup reseeds after its two-year run, avoid disturbing the plot when it is setting seed if you want longer production.
- Combine clovers. Some managers run red clover next to a long-lived white clover like King Ladino White Clover for variety across the season.
Find more options in our clover seed mix collection or browse all food plot seed.
Frequently asked questions
How many acres does a 25 lb bag of Rackup Red Clover plant?
Tecomate lists the seeding rate as 25 lbs. plants 2 acres.
Is red clover a good alternative to alfalfa for deer?
Tecomate positions Rackup Red Clover as a great substitute where alfalfa will not grow, because its tonnage production and protein levels are very similar.
How long will a Rackup Red Clover plot last?
It produces year-round nutrition for two years and then reseeds for even longer production.
Give your deer and turkey a high-protein legume that grows where alfalfa struggles: order Tecomate Rackup Red Clover food plot seed. More food plot reading is on our blog. Questions? Contact us.