I was thinking about frost seeding over my existing clover plots come april/may year after year to ensure a thick stand of clover that will choke out the majority of weeds. Does anyone use this method as opposed to starting from scratch every 3-5 years? Also trying to avoid the ridiculous cost of "arrest and slay" herbicides.... Typically, mowing keeps my weeds totally suppressed so i would think this would think frost seeding every year would keep these clover/chicory stands pretty nice. Thoughts?
I know many a guy who does this. I also know of guys using dethatchers or whatever they are every now and then to thin/tear up clover plots and over seed to keep plot fresh...I think just over seeding, mowing and some fertilizer is all you need really.
I have used glysophate to kill the weeds and grasses also, the clover will look stunted and terrible for a few weeks but it pulls through. Just don't mix it to strong, as you theoretically could kill the clover. However the overseeding and mowing and a good low nitrogen fertilizer, like tymiller said, will create a very successful food plot. I have several plots that I am doing this with this winter. good luck!
I get up early as soon as there is bare ground and clear the oak leaves and frost seed, it works great
I agree. Gly will nock the clover down but it seems to come back up eventually but with everything else dead.
Now that you mention it, the gly makes sense. When i spray my clover plots and till them for brassicas/turnips, there's always some clover that ends up growing back! I could definitely see how a light dose of gly would kill weeds/grass but not clover!
If there's chicory in the clover mix, will the gly kill the chicory? I'm assuming it won't bounce back like the clover?
I have a client with a clover patch that's 23 years old. I always recommend frost seeding/over seeding every year. The seed is so cheap, and it's smart agronomics. I also disc some of my clovers lightly, and you will be surprised how that helps as well. People shouldn't have to spray for broadleaves in your clover plots if you keep clipping at a timely manner. Healthy soil grows few weeds.
