RE: innoculating clover/alfalfa
If your seed is not microencapsulated (covered with a clay base) and is plain seed it will need to be innoculated.
Any legume such as Clover, Alfalfa, Soybeans, Winter peas, Iron Clay Peas, etc needs to be innoculated. The innoculant provides the plant with the correct bacteria needed to aid in nitrogen fixing. This helps the plant start out stronger and boosts growth until the colonies of the correct bacteria multiply in the soil. Make sure the innoculant used is correct for the crop being planted.
Remember that when planting legumes do not use feritizer with nitrogen when starting out the food plot. The reason is that once the plants start fixing nitrogen there will be too much in the soil and will cause the weeds to explode, out competing the legume. Low dose nitrogen can be added later in accordance with soil test recommendations.
Just my $.02
Hope it helps.