Clover Maintenance

[TKLambert]

How often do those of you who grow clover plots mow them?

I've heard that people typically mow them three times a year. This year my clover plots seem to be growing very fast (not complaining:clap:)! I mowed it down about 4 weeks ago to around 6" and now it's back up to the 12"-14" range. When do you all typically decide to mow your plots?

Thanks!

[wtnhunt]

Depends on how fast it is growing and on the weather conditions. With it being this early in the spring with it back up to 14 inches tall I would not be afraid to mow it again.

[AaronS]

It depends on the growth. When it hits 12 inches I like to mow it back to 6 inches. This keeps it from flowering so it will put its growth into fresh tender new shoots for the deer to eat. Regular mowing also helps control weeds by keeping them from going to seed.

[dogdoc]

i'd mow also. Be careful mowing in summer even when it is tall. You don't want to mow when the clover is stress from heat or drought. I always like to mow right before a good rain. Takes a lot of stress off the clover from mowing to get a good rain on it right after mowing.

[LETMGROW]

I use the recommendations of The Whitetail Institute to maintain my clover plots.

1] Mow at a heigth of 10-12"

2] Mow to 4-6"

3] Fertilize yearly 300# per acre with 0-20-20

Here in NY we don't worry too much about stressing clover with the mowing in hot or dry weather. Just a nature of the climate. I have found clover loves abuse. Drive over it and it comes back stronger than ever. Weeds don't take abuse as well as the clover. I tend to mow when it is hot and dry as the weeds seem to die off faster. In Doc's climate, he probably sees longer dry periods than we do, as well as a much longer growing season.

Checking back in my records I found I mowed my clover 5 times in 2010, 4 in 2009, 4 in 2008 and 2 in 2007. It was reseeded in 2007. 2010 was an above average wet season.

Lynn