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Clover food plot? #6229231 03/19/16 04:20 PM
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Mal R Drake Offline OP
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This is my first year to plant a food plot and I've read that planting clover now, the grass will take it over. I know you can plant it in late September but I really wanted to have one established before bow season and I'd like to have one while they're growing their antlers. I guess what I'm asking is does anyone else plant clover in the spring? Or do you wait until fall?


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6229242 03/19/16 04:41 PM
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Much will depend on which cultivar, where your plot will be and the seed bed. Some do best planted in Spring, but most do best planted in fall, grow a bit and boom the following spring. When it comes to growing "stuff", best to up your odds and do it right with whatever you have chosen, it is hard enough hoping for rain and "guessing on dirt quality. It can get expensive doing "trial and error".

Easy enough to use Google and find what grows best where you are (not in your sig), a soil sample can save you loads of trouble and is cheap. Your county agriculture agent will also come out and meet with you and will have 1st hand knowledge of what you're dealing with, what you need to do and in what order in your county and they are FREE.

From my experience with food plots, Spring is a much higher gamble and can be very moisture dependent, along with other variables, so you want to up your odds as much as possible.


Last edited by Western; 03/19/16 04:42 PM.

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Dennis

Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6229256 03/19/16 04:58 PM
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I been planting clover for a few years and found that by the time hunting season starts, it's just starting to sprout. By the end of hunting season, it covers the ground, but hasn't really taken off. Then a few months later, like right now, it takes off and becomes thick and full. Until the last week or so, the deer have pretty much ignored it. Now they love it!!!!!

I'm rethinking my plans on clover and leaning more towards wheat and oats.

Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6229257 03/19/16 05:01 PM
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Mal R Drake Offline OP
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I've hunted wheat in Parker county for a few years, it hasn't been near as productive as just regular corn. Everyone I've talked to says clover is the best plot to hunt


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6229290 03/19/16 05:28 PM
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Lack of rainfall and summer heat will do in clover in most areas other than east or northeast Texas where you get 40"+ annual rainfall. How many acres can you plant? Is there any livestock on the land? What is your annual rainfall?


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6229295 03/19/16 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted By: Mal R Drake
I've hunted wheat in Parker county for a few years, it hasn't been near as productive as just regular corn. Everyone I've talked to says clover is the best plot to hunt


Mix oats in with the wheat and they will walk past the feeder most of the time. Much cheaper and easier to grow. I am just East in Wise county and the oats will bring them in since there isnt much ag grains grown around here anymore.


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: stxranchman] #6229298 03/19/16 05:49 PM
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Mal R Drake Offline OP
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Water isn't an issue, if need be I can irrigate from the creek, it has a few deep holes that hold water in the droughts. There aren't any livestock in the part I'll be hunting, I'm planning on about an acre for the plot size


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Western] #6229301 03/19/16 05:51 PM
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Mal R Drake Offline OP
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When do you plant you wheat/oats?


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6229310 03/19/16 06:02 PM
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Around the 2nd week of Sept generally. You can also plant clovers last at the same time, if you want to try and get some established. Oats and wheat can make a good cover/nurse crop for the young clover that sprouts before frost.


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Dennis

Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Western] #6229439 03/19/16 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted By: Western
Around the 2nd week of Sept generally. You can also plant clovers last at the same time, if you want to try and get some established. Oats and wheat can make a good cover/nurse crop for the young clover that sprouts before frost.


That sounds like a good idea I think I'll try that. Thanks for the advice.


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6229800 03/20/16 02:30 AM
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How many deer will be using the plot? Adding clover will help carry the deer into the spring also. Clover just grows better in the fall in most of Texas. I would look more into Alfalfa in the mix since once it is rooted thru the fall you will get a green up in the spring that could grow for 2-3 yrs if you can keep it watered. Even with water in the summer you would have to water clover every week to keep it alive, same with alfalfa but it just does a little better in some areas. 1 acre of clover will be wiped out by 5-7 deer in no time IME if you planted it in the spring. If grass gets to be an issue you can use Roundup in lower amounts per acre to take care of grass/weeds when the alflafa is dormant in the late winter. Google using it on alfalfa for more info. I have heard you can do the same with clovers just need to check on amount. There is or will be a Roundup Ready Alfalfa for planting also. You can use Roundup according to the label to kill all the grass and weeds in the alfalfa as it grows.


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Re: Clover food plot? [Re: Mal R Drake] #6250643 04/07/16 03:50 AM
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I have one food plot--about 1/2 acre-- that was last planted about 20 years ago in Yuchi Arrow Leaf clover. This has continually grown and reseeded since. This is a fall planting that starts really showing growth in January, blooms and seeds in May thru July. Deer really nail it from February/March until it dies off, especially the does while they are pregnant. I do not worry about the grass, weeds, or anything else growing with it, it seems to just take care of itself. Only food plot on 2,000 acres that comes back with no mainenance at all.

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