Clover needs 60-90 days of growing weather before first hard freeze to establish a strong root system. Late summer plantings hit that window in most of the whitetail range. Pair with a cereal nurse crop (oats or winter rye) to suppress weeds and protect young clover seedlings.
Frost-seeding works because freeze-thaw cycles literally pull the seed into the soil, eliminating the need for tillage. Broadcast over snow or thawing ground in late winter at 5-10 lbs/acre. Pair with state-specific timing on the clover crop calendar pages.