I planted wheat in a gas pipeline last fall. I planted a 5 grass/clover mix this spring. I mentioned this in the thread about ragweed. I was thinking of mowing, as you all mentioned. But the wheat is still standing. Will the deer still eat the wheat heads, now that they are dry, or should I just not worry about the wheat, and mow the field?

I assume mowin to abou 8 inches is ok, with a bush hog?

Thanks,
Patrick

I don' t know the acreage of your planting, but you might try having a local farmer harvest the wheat. The seed can be used for seed next year or just for feed. If you bushhog it the birds will love you.

Dan O.

It is only about 2 acres, and it didn' t do very good. I don' t think anyone would be interested in harvesting it.

thanks

Patrick

POC - I' d mow it now - to 6-8" , and probably again in 3-4 weeks.

hopefully the clover plot underneath did ok.

Few of the wheat seed should come back.

the clover should bounce back in two weeks time - the grasses in the mix will always compete with the clover - and will always win out - the time it takes depends on the amount of clover in the mix - compared to grasses - what kind of grasses, and the soil type will make a difference as well.

Good luck

what if he broadcast some P and K on the clover before a rain? (and no N)

If the soil is low in P & K, broadcasting will promote the growth of innoculated legumes over grasses - If a soil test has not been done, there is no good way to know existing P&K levels, or the ability for plants to uptake these ions in the soil due to the acidity (Ph) of the soil.

Generally, broadcasting P&K alone will help - but when speread with lime according to a soil test, the outcome is a little more clear.