Basically - what I meant was - all plots will get weeds. You want time yourmowing - so that the weeds have expended all their energies and start to make seeds, then mow and many of the weeds will not be able to recover and compete with a vigorously growing clover plot.

You don't want to wait until the weed seeds drop before you mow -

The plot in the picture isn't a 100% pure clover stand - but it grows about 6-10" tall and is a major producer of white clovers. I don't treat our clovers with chemicals, because we rotate plots every three years anyhow - and most places - we get good weed control with mowing alone for at least 3 years.

FH

so i should mow mine as soon as i start seeing weeds?
what height fo i cut? or would bush hog work?

No - you should mow as soon as the majority of the weeds you see - 1st go to seed, and before the seeds harden and drop. Mow again later in the year to keep your clover from going to seed - it also keeps it vigourously growing into the fall if you knock off the seed heads inJuly and again in late August.

I use a bush hog - and I generally mow down to 6-8" -

FH

ok thanks
ill mow soon and maybe gert pics

wat kind of clover is that

red and white

mostly white

would it be better if i mowed the clover lower than 6-8 inches?

cut it as low or as high as you want(learned from experiment) and i cut mine once every 3 or 4 weeks

so if i cut it at like 2 inches it wont screw up my plot?

I planted Whitetail institute Clover/Chicory in May. Its extremely slow growing now and the weeds are choking them out. I have mowed twice so far....approximately 5-6 inches and weeds are starting to thin out and clover looks to be dominate.

I plan on mowing until the clover reaches the point of overpowering the weeds. Its a good idea to walk through and hand pluck the weeds as well.

Mine are looking champion style so far and look forward to doing the mowing about every 3rd week if neccessary. just dont mow too low...to early. The later the year...and higher growth of clover will allow you to bush hog at a higher length. Just be sure to choke the weeds out! That about as low as you need to go while the clover grows.

You can't really mow clover too much - it wont hurt to take it down 2-3" several times per year.

Here's a 2year old plot - with the 1st mowing this June (Jun15th) - You can see this plot has some weeds (Daisys, ragweed, paintbrushes, some other annuals and some grasses. The grasses are what you need to worry about most - don't let then go to seed - and spot treating them with round up is a good idea (I almost never have time though).

I'll post this plot pictures in a week or two - and you won't know there were any weeds. The clover can really dominate once established well.



FH