cleeby - the rain has helped some grasses and broadleaf weeds grow faster than normal this year. Rye will continue to come back if you mow before it heads out. hopefully someone didn' t talk you into Perenial Rye Grass instead of Cereal Rye.

I' d let the Rye grow until its mature (4-5ft tall) even if other weeds grow in the plot grow as well. Once the seed head has formed, and the plant is actually losing its green color - then I' d mow. If the clover is well established within the rye (its growth should appear stunted somewhat) it will quickly take over most weeds after mowing.

Personally, I hear about letting a rye field go to seed, then mow and it will re grow from the seed - I' ve never had that happen, probably because there is usually an undergrowth of clover.

If the weeds you have are mostly annual weeds, (mustard, goldenrod, dock. lambsquarters, ragweed, burdock, etc) mowing should take care of them all in one year, it may take several mowings.

If its grasses (redtop, orchard grass, quackgrass, rye grass, etc.) spraying with poast is probably the way to go. Though I' ve never done it - I' ve always replanted when the grasses get too far ahead (2yrs - 5yrs is the normal lifespan of a clover plot - 4 years should be your goal.) I will say that some weeds in the field is not all bad, as long as you can control them - or keep them from overtaking the plot.

I' ve done the same field prep as you many times, and have had varying results as well. One time 10% weeds, next time 40% - I think it has alot to do with the amount of residual weed seeds in the soil. If you have time, the best way to handle fields like this is to prep the field as usual, then let it sit two weeks or until a good bit of weed germination has occurred. THEN Spray roundup. Then seed in your clover (and nurse crop if you wish - 1/3 -1/2 the normal planting rate) and roll it in (do not disturb the soil any if you can). This treatment can reduce some of the weeds that come back.

One last note: About the time you know what your doing - you' ll mess up. So much of this is trial and error, even with good advice it can be difficult. In a cool,wet Spring like we had - things can be Boom or Bust - its all about timing and luck. This spring I lost about 1/2 my corn crop due to the cool wet weather, and a good bit of what did make it is spotty and weed infested because I could not get on the field to cultivate ( the corn that did germinate - grew 4" and stopped for almost 1 month due to cold weather - the weeds however kept a growing.) .