CLOVER FOOD PLOTS: MOW OR SPRAY???

In this video I discuss whether we should mow or spray our clover food plots to control unwanted weeds and grasses. Clover food plots are the most popular food plot grown, and for good reason, they are a good food source, turkey and deer love clover, and it's easy to produce with minimal equipment. But when it comes to controlling weeds and grasses food plotters are largely divided when it comes to spraying or mowing. Even experts in the food plot industry disagree when it comes to this topic. In this video I go over what management task we should perform in clover and which to avoid.

[@lancebrinkley5637]

I'm down in Texas. I've learned the hard way that clover just doesn't make it when summer sets in. That's great advice to new plotters to pay attention to where some of these guys are planting. I usually just stick to annual clover. I plant just about all of them! Let them mature, flower, seed and die at different times. Plant my summer mix in late May and hope for a wet summer. This spring I believe we've received over 40" already. If the rain does stop, it will be all dried up in just 2 weeks though

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

We’ve also had a very wet spring! That is very similar to here, it gets so hot and with limited top soil, the heat zaps it quick! Thanks for watching!

[@scotwolf9280]

Bill, you need to roundup a spot for eash seedling the prior year. Get to bare ground. Then when you plant them, put a tube on them the first year. Gives them a chance to get rooted in. Pull tubes for next years planting. Rod loves browse pressure after that first year. No need to cage it. Just tube it. Pretty easy.

[@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors]

Like you said, you have to find a balance that works for your plot. There is no one size fits all that's for sure. I do a combination of mowing and spraying, seems to work well. Mow in late spring, spray early summer when grass starts to come on, then mow in the fall around later Sept. Looks great all Fall and winter

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

So true, it all depends on what your local conditions will allow! Sounds like you’ve got a good program down! Thanks for watching and good luck with the plots!

[@Blitz4688]

I spray twice a year for grasses and spot spray, as needed, for non deer beneficial broadleaf weeds. Combine this with frost seeding these clover plots last for a very long time. I do not mow. Love the content. Thanks!

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Thanks for sharing what has worked well in your area, I really appreciate it! Sounds like you have got a great system down for maintaining the plots. Thanks for watching, good luck with the plots!

[@Bow-Man]

Great information !!! I'm in high Ag western NY and small pass through clover plots is all i grow now and they work great 👍 TY

[@figandcloverranch5871]

I am same area and use the small clover plots to pull deer into my parcel . They def work. And I spray only when weeds start to over come a bit more , otherwise I mow . Had pretty good success this way with my clover ☘️

[@Bow-Man]

​@@figandcloverranch5871 thanks man !!!

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Bow man thanks for sharing, those pass through plots can be absolutely deadly! Thanks for watching!

[@brushcrawler8612]

Great advice! I only mow in Dec to remove the leaves and start fresh from the ground every spring Easy to spot grass clumps and either spot spray or dig up.

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

That is great advice!! Thanks for sharing your experience! Thanks for watching!

[@w1.0]

Well said brother! Looking good! So is mine!!!

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Glad yours is looking good! Thanks for watching!

[@ryanweaver3615]

Seems to me it’s so much easier to spray 24Db once the plot gets about 12 inches tall, I spray pursuit as a pre emergent before planting so grasses arent a problem. Mowing in the the summer here in Texas is a no go for me when temps get to hot.

[@DHTex11]

Here in Northern Texas agree

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Yes sir, definitely a direct correlation in folks that have success mowing and lower average temperatures and higher rainfall amounts. Thanks for sharing your experiences! Thanks for watching

[@carrollsanders9376]

I want to remind everyone if you tank mix Clethedom with Pursuit, buterac, Basagran. Always use a non Ionic Surfactant. You can also spray Clover with Gysosulfate, at 1/2 Quart per the Acre, to kill the weeds that are not controlled by Basagran, pursuit, or Buterac. If you have tough weeds spot spray with Crossbow round up mix, and reseed in fall or spring.

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Thanks Carroll! Always appreciate your insight and experience! Thanks for watching

[@Brandon-uo1rv]

I assume you are referring to Higgins and Harper. I wouldn't hesitate to mention them as they have put out videos on their opinion and it's a good reference to what you are talking about. I've watched both and now your video. A big point that Harper was referring to was biomass in his response. By not cutting as much or or at all you would increase the available food for deer. I do agree with you on the soil differences in regions and definitely should be a factor in which method you might consider. Higgins on the other hand points to nutrient content in actively growing plants. I don't think there is any doubt that an immature, growing plant is more palatable to deer but in areas like ours in KY it's a big risk during the summer to cut it. Really not a hard fast rule, probably a combination of mowing and spraying is best for the majority of plotters.

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Brandon, I agree 100% with your post! I think it is important for food plotters to realize why this works in some areas and why some guys recommend it and others are absolutely against it. Also agree you are taking a huge risk mowing it during the summer time in KY! Appreciate your insight! Thanks for watching!

[@clarkwheeler8764]

Alright Plot Professor, you didn't make any mention about what HEIGHT to CUT the clover if you do mow. Also the difference of mowing if its an annual or perennial clover. Maybe you can do a followup video to address the differences and recommendations for both kinds of clovers?

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Thanks clark, I will try to make some follow up videos on those topics. I would not mow clover off at the ground like I do my alfalfa, for 1 that is going to stress the plant, and 2 you just mowed off a large quantity of food for the deer that you have grown. If I mowed it, it would be a high clip. Thanks for watching

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

For my 1st mowing, I set the mower to clip the tops of the clover and chicory. This allows me to clip all the grass at a good level. If this does not take care of the grass, then I spray clethodim.

[@carrollsanders9376]

​@@DIYfoodplotproTry Premex generic Pursuit, then Immox for weeds in Clover and Chickory blends. Don't use Buterac or Roundup on Clover Chickory blends. Leave the mower in the barn as much as possible and you will not disturb the big bucks as much.

[@steved5023]

Hard to get anything to grow in Fl ,springs. Dry season then hot. If your lucky ,fall hurricane and cold fronts might make clover possible. It’s a hit or miss crop. Crimson clover works at times

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

That’s what I was going to suggest was to get crimson clover a try. Some environments are just really difficult to get food plots to flourish. Cereal rye can just about grow anywhere, if you haven’t tried that I would look into it. Thanks for watching

[@janitorialguy4436]

Thanks Wes

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Thank you for watching!

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

I mow my Maine fields when the spring weed seed shows up (broad leave and grass), with a preference to just before or during a good rain. This year is was May, but usually it is early June. I don't spray unless I have to, but that is dependent on how much grass is showing up. I will mow again in August when a good rain is in the forecast.

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us! I am always fascinated with many different approaches food plotters take to manage their clover fields, and most folks have good luck with them! Thanks for watching!

[@carrollsanders9376]

You don't have the problem weeds we have in Kentucky, also you don't have the variety of Clovers we can grow, because of the Cold Maine winters. In Kentucky I am drilling in sun hemp into Clover stands, and in fall drilling in brassica red wheat and oats, for killer food plots without using Nitrogen Fertilizers.

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

@@carrollsanders9376 sounds like you have a great plan and some great equipment. I would love to have a no till drill to try your method too.

[@carrollsanders9376]

@@JackFrostTheDeerHunter Rent one it's not that expensive.

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

@@carrollsanders9376 what seeding rate do you use for your brassicas into clover? I really am interested in trying this!

[@rfb7117]

Wes...excellent comments, it all depends on your region and your circumstances. We tend to combine chicory, clover and alfalfa in our green plots. What would you recommend for spraying for weeds in that mix. thanks, Bob

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Bob, I don’t have a ton of experience in that area, I don’t raise chicory and I always use roundup ready alfalfa as a pure stand. Sorry I can’t help! Thanks for watching

[@carrollsanders9376]

Premex Generic Pursuit once in the spring, Imox and Clethedom after that Chicory will not tolerate Buterac, or Roundup.

[@rfb7117]

T Thanks......

[@brandonyoung7760]

I'm not mowing mine either plus university of Tennessee did a study and found out that you actually get more clover going into fall if you don't mow it. (Western Ky too)

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

100% agreed. We’ve had high 90’s and dry the last 2 weeks here….i can only imagine what it would look like right now if we would have mowed it right before this. Thanks for watching.

[@brandonyoung7760]

@DIYfoodplotpro no doubt. They are calling for a 60% chance tomorrow in Madisonville then nothing after that that I can see 👀. I was going to kill mine and plant wheat and oats before fall but I think I might actually try to just run this clover until next year and see how the deer like it.

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Yep looks like we might very well be in for a long hot dry summer.

[@perrybowers344]

I’m in South East Texas, from what I read and watched always make your finally mow well before the hot summer hits and don’t mow again until it’s about 3-4 weeks prior to opening Bow season. Is this an unreasonable theory?

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

No I think that theory makes total sense where your at in the country. Mowing during a dry hot summer is likely going to kill your plot. Thanks for watching

[@royguidry1311]

So in my situation in Ohio where I am 18 hrs away and not going to spend $800 to go cut a 1/2 acre field. I have basically got to let it grow and leave it at that. My thoughts are there is no ag or green for miles so even if my clover isn’t there newest most tender shoots I still feel having the only green around it will be eaten. Second is where I have a moderate deer herd I feel having the most tonnage during fall brown up will be beneficial where my plots can only be so big. Am I way off on this? I will still have my brassicas in the 3/4 acre plot as well as I can feed corn.

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

You’re absolutely spot on and that is exactly what I would do if I was in your shoes! The farm with the most groceries, where there aren’t very many will almost always hold a tremendous amount of deer! Thanks for watching

[@carrollsanders9376]

Try Basagran with Clethedem use a non Ionic surfactant, and you can spray both in one application and control most weeds.

[@travisshuttleworth630]

Im in southwest Ohio and 2 weeks ago I mowed both of my 1.5 acre clover plots because they were flowering, but 10 days later they were covered in white and pink flowers again! I think I'd literally have to mow every weekend if i wanted to keep them from going to seed and thats not realistic for me because i dont even have a 4 wheeler lol i mow with a weed eater. Should i just learn tj accept that i cant stop them from flowering or is there another option that im not aware of yet? Thanks!

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Travis sounds like you have a good clover plot! Yes sir, I wouldn’t worry about them going to flower, as you can read the comments many many folks rarely bush hog or mow there clover and still maintain good stands. Good on you for working hard to keep those plots looking great, so much work with minimal equipment, I hope you get rewarded with some fantastic deer hunting. Thanks for watching

[@travisshuttleworth630]

@@DIYfoodplotpro I really appreciate you saying that! It's taken me 3 years but I took honeysuckle and multiflora thickets and turned them into clover plots with just a chainsaw and a hard rake, and a crap ton of sweat and blood lol but today the clover is knee high and getting picture of deer feeding in them is more rewarding than I can articulate!

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

That’s what it’s all about….it’s so much work doing it that way, but it’s so rewarding in the end! Good luck with the plots!

[@chadoverkamp9407]

Question for you can you spray corn right after germ with glyphosate It’s herbicide talarent

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Yes sir, as long as it’s roundup ready, you can spray roundup on it! Thanks!

[@chadoverkamp9407]

Maybe a dumb ? But 2 quarts per acre ok when it’s so young It’s round up ready

[@DIYfoodplotpro]

Chad, not a dumb question at all….whatever the label says on the roundup you have is the rate I would spray, most of it is 32 oz per acre, but I’ve seen it be less. But yes if it’s roundup ready corn, it will not hurt the corn to spray it with roundup.