Food Plots Update, July 5: Clover Plot: Mow it or leave it alone?

[BLC]

We've had 1 1/4" rain the past few days.
The ground is too wet to run a tractor over this but I could mow this acre or so with my zero turn at about 4" high pretty quick.
Would you mow it or leave it be?

 

[Ski]

Looks ready for mowing to me. Lots of laid over brown stems. Looks great though! I bet them bees are humming!

 

[tellico4x4]

If you choose to mow it, do it as high as possible. Just top it at bloom height.

 

[BLC]

Will it recover if I cut it to 4" now?

 

[Ski]

Will it recover if I cut it to 4" now?

Maybe try a short strip or two with your mower as an experiment? If it hinders the clover then you'll have not lost much of anything, and if it takes it well then you'll know you're safe next time. I'm always playing around with stuff like that because I'm stubbornly curious and have to know.

 

[Mcboom]

I mowed mine today. I'm hoping it gets some rain on it but figured it's probably a month or so away from going dormant anyway.

 

[BSK]

Maybe try a short strip or two with your mower as an experiment? If it hinders the clover then you'll have not lost much of anything, and if it takes it well then you'll know you're safe next time. I'm always playing around with stuff like that because I'm stubbornly curious and have to know.

This is great advice. Mow some strips but not all of it. Use the strips as an experiment.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

I'd personally leave it. Some weeds aren't a bad thing. My main concern is stressing it right before the hottest part of the summer.

For future reference, Dr. Craig Harper sprays once in spring with Imazethapyr and Clethodim to control those broadleaf and grass weeds….then mows late summer/early fall. Imazethapyr is soil active and he uses it sometimes in early fall to control incoming cool season weeds

 

[Popcorn]

I'm with @JCDEERMAN
Leave it

 

[BLC]

Experiment it will be…
JCDEERMAN, I will look into those spray recommendations for next spring.
As the photos indicate, I mowed 1/2 and left the other as is.

 

[Ski]

Looks great! Considering the rain we've gotten as of late I'd guess it'll sprout out a bunch of fresh tender leaves. But who knows? Let us know how it pans out!

 

[BSK]

Yes, keep us informed.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Experiment it will be…
JCDEERMAN, I will look into those spray recommendations for next spring.
As the photos indicate, I mowed 1/2 and left the other as is.

Trial and error is always good, as different areas perform different. I had given up on perennial clover plots for years, but that was 10-15 years ago. Much more information is available now on it and maintaining it. Go with trusted sources. Dr. Craig Harper is the man. Best of luck - please keep us updated.

 

[BSK]

Trial and error is always good, as different areas perform different. I had given up on perennial clover plots for years, but that was 10-15 years ago. Much more information is available now on it and maintaining it. Go with trusted sources. Dr. Craig Harper is the man. Best of luck - please keep us updated.

I have a ridge-and-hollow hardwood property client that has had excellent results with Durano Clover in their ridge-top plots in summer. But dang, the cost of that seed!

 

[backyardtndeer]

I would have mowed it. I have mowed my clover plots with my little Kubota tractors belly mower many times, it cuts much cleaner than my bush hog, and weighs a lot less than my bigger Kubota.

 

[Boll Weevil]

But dang, the cost of that seed!

Cared for properly I've seen it last 6-7yrs and can be more economical than annual clovers.

 

[lafn96]

Do you have a trail cam that you can mount so it looks down those strips? That way you could see how the deer respond to it

 

[BSK]

Cared for properly I've seen it last 6-7yrs and can be more economical than annual clovers.

True! If you get it to take well. Durana is an amazing clover for dry, thin-soiled plots, but at $6-7 per pound, ouch!

 

[tellico4x4]

True! If you get it to take well. Durana is an amazing clover for dry, thin-soiled plots, but at $6-7 per pound, ouch!

Seeding rate of 5lbs/acre so really not bad at all. Clemmonds & Hamner have it for $5.60lb for 25lbs or $6.40 for 5lbs.

 

[BLC]

Update: post # 10 above shows my clover plot cut on June 22. Seven days later, on the 29th, it began raining and rained 3 days totaling 3 3/4". On Sunday, July 2 it looks like this