questions on re-doing my plot
 

I have a small Whitetail Clover food plot (1/3 acre or so) that I planted in my drainfield. It is on it's 5th season, and despite some effort, the grasses have all but taken over. There is probably only 15% clover left and it's weak at best. The first few seasons it was great..but last year the grass got worse, and this year it's about done. I want to redo the plot, probably in the same thing since it did well for quite a while. The plot is not for hunting, more for feeding and hopefully helping the deer nutrition wise. It is also located right in the center of my property so it helps to keep them around all year it seems. In the past years they have been out there almost every day. This year hardly at all. Our woods have much more browse available I guess...much easier for them to get than to pick through the grass to try and get at the spindley clover that is left.

Any suggestions as to how I shouldproceed with this, and when would be the best time to do it? When I originally put it in,the field was all dirt so it was very easy to prep. I can,t get any big farm equipment in there (plow, big disc, etc.) because it is over top of my drainfield. My buddy has a small 4 wheeler disc that I may be able to use, but I haven't seen it yet. Not sure how deep it will cut. I was thinking to get some sort of herbicide and spray and kill it all, then maybeburn it off before I try and get the plot prepped for seed. Any suggestions for my situation? Also any suggestions on plantings? I liked theWhitetail Clover (so did the deer) and it did well once I got the soil right. I want to have a good perrennial plot...I don't have alot of time to work on it over and over. Any suggestions? I live in the mountains of NW Va...I'm guessing I need to get this started in mid Aug.

Thanks in advance:)
~Mike

RE: questions on re-doing my plot
 

Hey Mike... Sounds like you don't need any advice..I think your thinking is basically right on.. I would first spray it with a nonselective herbicide (round-up) and try to burn it off like you mentioned and then work it up with your four wheeler. Once you spray it and the grasses start to die their roots will shrivel and let loose of the soil making it easier to work up. Then like you said plant in mid Aug. and there you have it. Like I said I think you have the right idea. If the PH in your soil is right you should be successful. As for keeping the grasses out from year to year you can either mow it a few times a year or use Slay herbicide which comes from Whitetail Institute which I think is the same distributor you got your clover from. It will kill back your grasses and weeds and leave your clover alone. Good Luck

RE: questions on re-doing my plot
 

alwyshntn...Thanks for the reply.

One question...I was thinking of using Buck Forage Oats as a cover for the clover. I've read alot of good things about this stuff. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to plant these as a cover? Should I use about 1/3 the recommended amount? I'm hoping that would be a good draw for the fall and cover for the clover to get established, then leave a pure clover plot next spring. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. :)

RE: questions on re-doing my plot
 

I don't have any real measurement for distributing the oats. I put out the recommended amount of clover per acre first for whatever clover I am using and then go over it with the oats. I use a handspreader for this and it makes it easier to tell exactly what your putting down. The oat seed is very easy to see so I just kinda go by eye as far as how much I put down. I don't put it down real thick but I don't go real thin either. My main concern is not to rob to much nutrients and moisture from the clover but still get enough oats down to cover. You can kinda tell in some of my pics of the spacing in the oats if that helps. I have never used BFO but I'm sure your right they will be a excellent fall draw. I plan on replanting some certified oat seed again this fall also. Good Luck to ya WV

RE: questions on re-doing my plot
 

5 years is too long for clover, spray the roundup, leave for a couple weeks, then dic it and spread about 4 lbs of clover seed on it, then drag it in or do it just prior to a rain , let it set the seed, I would mix a few turnips with it, try seeding around labor day...