| If your long term goals of deer plot planting are with | | | | alsike. While almost any clover will do well in the |
| the intention of providing year round food source | | | | spring, a well-blended plot should perform well |
| availability for your deer herd, perennial clover should | | | | year-round under all but the most extreme |
| be part of that planting plan. However, if you are | | | | conditions. I have found a simple mix of three |
| only planting food plots for the fall deer attractant | | | | pounds per acre of each red clover, alsike and |
| purpose, there are better choices than clover. | | | | Ladino, a white clover, has worked well on our farm. |
| Perennial plots, such as clover, will provide better | | | | Another reason you should consider clover in your |
| distribution of year-round forage growth more-so | | | | food plot planting program, is clovers fix nitrogen |
| than with annual forages alone. Perennial simply | | | | from the atmosphere. Simply put, as the clover |
| means the forage will last, if properly maintained, | | | | planting begins to deteriorate and weeds begin to |
| several years. | | | | take over your stand, you should consider rotating |
| If you plan and maintain your clover plot accordingly, | | | | back into annual forages, such as chicory or rapeseed |
| you should be able to get several years out of the | | | | for a year or two. These annual forages need |
| planting. With a properly prepared seedbed, weed | | | | nitrogen in order to grow and reach their maximum |
| control in check and the soil ph and nitrogen in | | | | potential. The clover, once tilled under, will provide |
| balance, the clover plantings we use on our farm will | | | | some of that nitrogen need in the soil, thus reducing |
| typically last a minimum of three falls before starting | | | | your investment necessary for commercial fertilizer. |
| to deteriorate. By deteriorate, I mean that the quality | | | | Clover is also easy to seed. Just be sure the weeds |
| of the forage declines and weeds began to take | | | | are gone. The site prep steps before planting, if the |
| over the stand. Perennial clover for your deer food | | | | site is following a year or two of annual forage, |
| plots is more cost-effective than planting annuals | | | | would simply include a spraying of emerging weeds |
| year after year after year once you have established | | | | about the middle of May. A tillage pass should follow |
| a weed controlled plotting environment. | | | | that application to bury any dead plant residue. If |
| Perennial clovers are most important in feeding deer | | | | more weeds emerge, a second spraying may be in |
| during spring through early summer. During this time, | | | | order just prior to seeding. You could conduct a |
| perennial clovers experience the bulk of their yearly | | | | light tillage just before you seed. |
| growth, which in turn, provides its’ highest | | | | I try and plant my clover paddocks the last week of |
| protein levels. These high protein levels are | | | | May or 1st week in June. The seed can then be |
| perfectly suited for lactating does and for early antler | | | | broadcasted, no need for a drill, and then just run a |
| growth development. | | | | drag over it when you’re done seeding. |
| If you’re region does not already have an | | | | Clovers are where the food plot craze started, and, |
| abundance of natural clover, nearby alfalfa fields, or | | | | for good reason. Over time however, mixes and |
| other areas of legume, clovers should be part of | | | | forages have changed, advanced and been created |
| your food plot planting strategy. Your plots will then | | | | to provide specific food plot need functions. While |
| provide your deer herd with a spring and early | | | | fall attractants can provide a better hunting resource, |
| summer high protein food source. | | | | and winter food availability in northern regions, clovers |
| When considering a clover planting, you should plant | | | | provide the optimum spring health development food |
| as a blend. The basic clovers are red, white and | | | | source. |