When To Mow Red Clover

Knowing when to mow red clover is the single most important decision you’ll make for a healthy, productive stand. Get the timing right, and you’ll enjoy lush regrowth, better weed control, and a fantastic soil boost. This guide cuts through the confusion to give you clear, actionable advice for your garden or field.

Red clover is more than just a pretty plant. It’s a powerful nitrogen-fixer, a great forage crop, and an excellent green manure. But to get these benefits, you need to cut it at the right stage. Mowing too early weakens the plant. Mowing too late makes it woody and less nutritious.

The optimal timing isn’t a fixed date on the calendar. It depends on what your goal is. Are you improving soil, harvesting hay, or managing a cover crop? Your intention dictates your schedule.

Understanding Red Clover’s Growth Stages

To mow effectively, you need to know what you’re looking at. Red clover progresses through key visual stages.

Vegetative Stage: This is all leaf and stem growth before flower buds form. The plant is building its root system and storing energy.
Bud Stage: Small, green flower buds become visible at the top of the stems. This is a critical window for some mowing goals.
Early Bloom: When about 20-50% of the buds have opened into pinkish-purple flowers. This is the prime time for many uses.
Full Bloom: Most flowers are open. After this, the plant starts putting energy into making hard seeds.

Optimal Mowing Timing for Different Goals

Here’s where we get specific. Match your mowing time to your primary objective for the clover.

For Maximum Forage Quality (Hay or Silage)

If you’re cutting for animal feed, quality is paramount. You want high protein and digestibility.

Best Time: Early bloom stage (20-50% bloom). The stems are still tender, and the leaf-to-stem ratio is high.
Why: Protein content is at its peak. Delaying past this point causes a rapid drop in quality as the plant creates fibrous, woody stems.
Tip: Always mow on a sunny day after the morning dew has dried. This prevents mold and allows for faster curing.

For Soil Health and Green Manure

When your main goal is to enrich your garden soil, timing shifts. You want to maximize biomass and nitrogen before turning it under.

Best Time: Late bud to early bloom stage. The plant has grown substantial mass but hasn’t yet used up its energy reserves.
Why: Mowing at this peak growth period gives you the most organic matter to decompose. The nitrogen content in the leaves and stems is also very high at this point.
Tip: After mowing, let the clover wilt for a day or two on the surface. Then, till it into the soil. This speeds up decomposition.

For Weed Suppression and Stand Longevity

If you’re maintaining a clover lawn or a long-term living mulch, regular mowing keeps it thick and weed-free.

Best Time: When the clover reaches about 8-12 inches in height, regardless of flowering. This is often before buds form.
Why: Frequent, higher cuts encourage the clover to spread laterally, creating a dense mat that chokes out weeds. It prevents the plants from becoming leggy.
Tip: Set your mower blade high (3-4 inches). Never cut more than one-third of the plant’s height at once to avoid stressing it.

For Seed Production

If you want to save your own red clover seed, you need to let the plant complete its life cycle.

Best Time: Mow after 80-90% of the seed heads have turned brown and dry. This is usually about 4-5 weeks after full bloom.
Why: The seeds need time to mature fully. Cutting too early results in non-viable, green seeds.
Tip: Cut on a dry day and gather the material immediately to prevent shattering (seeds falling to the ground).

Step-by-Step Guide to Mowing Red Clover

Assess Your Goal: Decide if you’re focusing on forage, soil, or maintenance.
Check the Growth Stage: Walk your field or garden. Look for buds or flowers to determine the stage.
Check the Weather Forecast: Aim for at least two to three consecutive dry, sunny days after mowing, especially for hay.
Prepare Your Equipment: Ensure your mower or scythe blades are sharp. Dull blades tear the plants, inviting disease.
Mow at the Right Height: For most goals, leave 3-4 inches of stubble. This protects the crown and allows for quick regrowth.
Handle the Clippings: Either gather them for hay, let them wilt for tilling, or leave them as a light mulch if mowing for maintenance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can make a few errors with red clover. Here’s what to watch out for.

Mowing Too Low: Scalping the plant damages the growing crown at the base. This can kill the plant or severely delay regrowth. Always leave ample stubble.
Mowing When Wet: Cutting clover that is wet with dew or rain leads to a messy, clumped cut that dries poorly. It can also spread fungal diseases across the stand.
Waiting Too Long: Letting red clover go to full bloom or beyond for forage makes it unpalatable and less nutritious for livestock. The stems become tough.
Ignoring Regrowth Potential: Red clover can often provide two or even three cuttings in a season. Plan your schedule so the regrowth has enough time to establish before frost.

Seasonal Considerations and Regrowth

Your location and the season play a role. In cooler climates, the first cutting in spring might happen in late May or June. A second cutting can be taken about 6-8 weeks later, again at the early bloom stage.

For a fall cutting, time it so the clover has at least 4-6 weeks of regrowth before the first hard frost. This allows it to store enough root reserves to survive the winter. Avoid a heavy cut in the late autumn, as this leaves the plant vulnerable.

In warmer climates, you may adjust your schedule for summer heat. Mowing during a peak hot, dry period can stress the plants, so its sometimes better to mow just before such a period to reduce water demand.

FAQ: Your Red Clover Mowing Questions Answered

How short should you cut red clover?
Never cut shorter than 3 inches. A height of 3-4 inches is ideal for plant health and regrowth.

Can you mow red clover after it flowers?
Yes, but the purpose changes. For forage, it’s too late. For seed saving, it’s necessary. For soil incorporation, it’s still okay but biomass quality is declining.

What is the best time of day to mow clover?
Mid-morning, after the dew has evaporated, is perfect. The plants are dry, which leads to better curing and less disease risk.

How often should I mow my clover lawn?
Mow it like a regular lawn, but less frequently—only when it gets above 8 inches tall. Use a high blade setting to keep it thick.

Does mowing red clover help it spread?
Yes, moderate mowing encourages the plants to put energy into lateral growth and new shoots, creating a denser stand over time.

What do you do with red clover after you mow it?
It depends! Use it as hay, till it into the soil as green manure, compost it, or leave the clippings as a light, nitrogen-rich mulch right on the garden bed.

Getting the timing right for mowing red clover is a simple skill that yields big rewards. By aligning your cut with the plant’s growth stage and your own goals, you’ll ensure a thriving, beneficial stand season after season. Paying attention to these details makes all the difference for your soil and your animals.