Here at Frigid Forage, we often get asked about our clover food plots for deer, when to plant clover, how long cloer food plots last, etc. In this post, we will explain what we do and recommend.
When to Plant Clover For Deer?
Customer Question: I noticed that you sometimes plant clover in your food plots for the Spring. Come Fall, do you leave the plots in clover? I tend leave my plots bare, kill off the weeds in late Summer and plant new plots (not clover) during that time. If you have limited food plots what would you use for year round use?
Frigid Forage's Recommendations for When to Plant Clover Food Plots for Deer
Bill Responds: Generally, I will leave my spring planted deer clover plot in clover for the fall. In fact, clover will last three years if maintained correctly (mowed at least once per year, possibly sprayed for grasses annually and fertilized annually). If the deer clover is looking good, there is no reason to kill it and till it under unless you want to plant something like Big N Beasty there for the fall. Then, the clover becomes a valuable source of nitrogen for the nitrogen hungry brassicas. Your approach will work too, but I just like to have clover in some plots year around because it greens up fast in the spring and the deer hit it hard when they are coming out of winter. Also, it is very attractive during most of the fall. It is only the months of December – February when the clover is not hard hit in my area. That is when other plots fill the void (like Big N Beasty or grains like corn and beans).
If I had limited food plot acres, I would have 1/2 of the total acres in clover year around and the other 1/2 in brassicas (as stated, I like Big N Beasty). Then, every two years I would rotate them. Till under the clover in late July and switch that plot to clover for two years. Also, I would frost seed clover into my Big N Beasty plots every winter so I had something through the summer and then either leave it (on rotation years) or till it under and replant Big N Beasty again.
Good luck - Bill
(3-19-18)
Frequently Asked Questions on When To Plant Clover Plots
Can you plant clover in the fall? Spring? July?
Yes, you can still plant our deer clover food plot seed in the Fall, Spring, and July. Our plant clover blend is versatile and will thrive in a wide range of conditions.
When to plant clover for deer?
I like to have the clover in some plots year around because it greens up fast int he Spring and the deer hit it hard when they are coming out of winter.
When is the best time to plant clover?
The best time to plant clover is in Spring or late Summer/early Fall. It is also a great choice for frost seeding.
Where can I buy clover?
You can buy clover right here from Frigid Forage. View our Pure Trophy Clover Mix or our Plow Down Clover, both great options.
What time of year do deer eat clover?
Deer will eat clover year around, but they especially eat it during Fall and right after Winter.
When to mow clover food plot?
You should mow your clover food plot at least one per year and possibly spray for grasses and fertilize annually. Then, the clover can last up to three years.
FAQs
Plant clover in the spring or early summer, when the ground has become soft and moist from the spring rains. You may also plant in September or early October in most locations. Clover seed is very small, so you may want to mix it with lime or fertilizer to give you more substance to work with.
Can I just throw clover seed on the ground? ›
They are a great way to enhance the beauty of your garden while benefitting the environment! We see people asking if you can throw clover lawn seed on the ground and let nature take its course. And the answer is yes; you can throw the clover lawn seed down, and it will germinate and grow.
What month do you plant clover? ›
Sow between 15 March and 15 September
Clover establishes best between 15 March and 15 September. Sowing in early spring is not preferable. It's best to sow clover after an early arable crop, such as cereals or seed potatoes.
How do you prepare ground for planting clover? ›
Before seeding, you'll want to first dethatch your lawn. Using a rake, scrape away leaves, lawn clippings, or other debris from the established lawn. This will expose the soil and leave it ready for seed application. Next, grab a handful of clover seeds and lightly sprinkle them across the prepared lawn.
Does clover come back every year? ›
There are two main groups of clover: perennial and annual. Perennial clover is the more popular option since annual clover dies out more quickly. With perennial clover, you will need to reseed every two to three years. Annual clover will need to be reseeded every year.
Will clover choke out other weeds? ›
Clover is resilient, and its strength actually smothers other weeds. If your mower is tired of picking up those pesky, hard-to-kill weeds, clover may be the way to go. Growing clover does not allow room for typical lawn weeds to thrive, meaning the lawns you mow could be weed-free and beautiful!
Should I soak clover seeds before planting? ›
Place clover seeds in a quart jar or other sprouting container. Add ¼-½ cup cool water, cover with a sprouting screen or mesh sprouting lid and soak 8 hours or overnight. A humid environment will help the seeds germinate faster, but make sure you're being safe.
Can you plant clover without tilling? ›
You may also use the no-till method. Mow or burn off existing vegetation in spring, wait for green-up so those perennial weeds and seeds emerge, then spray an herbicide to kill all existing vegetation. Wait for it to turn brown then lime (if necessary) and seed.
Can you put down too much clover seed? ›
Set the spreader low and cover the same area 3 times if need be, but don't lay it down too thick as you will run out of seed, and the areas you over seed clover in will choke themselves out. Over seeding in clover food plots for deer is one of the easiest food plots for deer you can plant.
How do I start clover in my yard? ›
Spread the clover seeds evenly over the soil, following package instructions for the recommended seeding rate. This rate can be adjusted based on your desired density. Lightly rake the seeds into the soil to ensure good contact without burying them deeply. Water the area thoroughly and keep moist until germination.
Clover is not a good idea for those with bee allergies: If anyone in your home has a serious allergy to bees, it's prudent to keep clover out of your yard. The flowers that form on most varieties will attract many bees to your yard.
How long does it take for clover to show up? ›
Directly sow the seeds in your yard by raking the soil and then simply scattering them around and watering. The clover will start sprouting in as little as two to three days, but can take up to seven to 10 days depending on the temperature. Keep the area watered and moist where the seeds have been spread.
Is red clover better than white clover? ›
Red clover tends to fix more nitrogen than white Dutch clover does, so it can better fertilize your soil for other grasses. The more nitrogen clover fixes, the healthier your lawn will be — with no synthetic fertilizer needed.
Will seed grow if you just throw it on the ground? ›
While the grass seed should germinate if you just throw it on the surface, you should know that there are a few negative effects of planting the seeds in this way. It could harm the speed and success of germination and may leave you with patchy and uneven coverage.
Can I seed clover without tilling? ›
If you must till or plow the soil before planting, be sure you wait 4 to 6 weeks for new weeds to emerge so you can kill them before planting the clover seed. You may also use the no-till method.
Does clover seed need to be buried? ›
Lightly rake the seeds into the soil to ensure good contact without burying them deeply. Water the area thoroughly and keep moist until germination. As the clover seedlings emerge, they will begin to establish, spread, and become thicker and denser over time.
