Iplanted clover this past fall with a good deal of success, considering the lack of rain in my area. I would like to improve the clover plot this spring, to avoid the need for weed control. I have heard a technique called frost seeding, can anybody explain this? Also when should Ifertalize the clover? cut? Most of the comment and advise I've gotton on this site have been quite helpfull.

I can't speak to the frost seeding but without a soil test, normally about 200 pounds of 0-20-20 every spring is all you need. If you needed tolime the plot to raise the pH when you originally planted, add 1000 pounds of lime right over the top of the plot. It will keep the pH around neutral. Both of these can be done anytime of year but once per year is sufficient. I do it in the early spring every year.

Soil test every 2-3 years to see the nutrient profile and adjust accordingly.

The weed issue will not be solved by frost seeding. It'll help some but you will have grass or weeds or both in the field. If they pose a competition problem I have seen poistive posts on a product called Arrest to kill the grasses.

I used Slay last spring to kill out a broadleaf problem in my clover. I think there are alternatives but my plot was only a couple acres and I didn't need a gallon. I think it covered 30 acres. I also read where Slay has a residual that would keep someweedsout for a couple years. I'll know this spring.

O

Frost seeding is done in early spring when the night temperatures still get below freezing. Freezing creates little pockets in the soil surface for clover seed to work its way into. Then the daily thaws will cover the seed just enough.

Fertilizing can be done anytime, but is best done prior to planting. What the clover really wants is the phosphorus and potassium. But these don'tleech into the soil like nitrogen does, and should be disked into the top 4 - 6 inches. Same is true for Lime. Get fertilizer with the highest phosphorus and potassium numbers, and lowest Nitrogen number you can. 0-0-60 for a potassium(potash) is great.

Mow 3 to 5 times per summer, 6-8 inches high, before a good rain. Avoid cutting during a drought.