Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Quality Deer Management Throw n Mow Q&A

I’ll throw this out there too while we’re talking about doing less…….

Don’t go back in June or July…..see “weeds” growing with your clover…..and think that you need to get on the tractor and do something about it. Think back to the foundation principles of soil health. We’re trying to grow diverse rotations that consist of 3 parts….grass, broadleaf, legume. If you start spraying out the grass and broadleaf component then you rob the soil of organic matter during the summer growing season... a period of time in which producing organic matter is one of our biggest goals…..spring and summer is when most biomass grows! Those grasses and broadleafs are your carbon producers…..the clover is your N producer that provides the fuel for your carbon producers…You need both for a balanced long term rotation….A lot of those broadleaf plants are also highly preferred deer food….especially when grown in a fertile situation.

You’re not looking to grow a pristine stand of clover this summer. You’re just wanting it to be a component of a mix. Don’t worry about trying to “manage” the clover. Just add a little more white clover seed each fall and repeat. Again, as long as you’ll let them go to seed and mature…..many of these annual clovers like crimson and yuchi will reseed since we’re only mowing.