Timing is Everything: When to Cut Your Clover Food Plots

Clover food plots are a popular choice among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike, offering a nutritious and attractive food source for animals. However, as with any planting, knowing the right time to make changes or adjustments is crucial for their success. When it comes to clover food plots, timing is everything. Knowing when to cut them can make all the difference in maintaining a healthy and thriving plot. In this article, we’ll delve into the topic of “When To Cut Clover Food Plots”, providing key insights and practical tips for ensuring your plots reach their maximum potential. So let’s get started on creating a lush and bountiful clover haven for your wildlife!

Clover is a popular choice for food plots due to its ability to attract and provide essential nutrients for deer and other wildlife. Maintaining healthy clover food plots is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness. One common question among landowners is, when is the best time to cut clover food plots? In this detailed guide, we will discuss the different factors to consider and provide expert tips on when and how to cut your clover food plots.

The Growth Cycle of Clover

To understand when to cut your clover food plots, it’s important to know the growth cycle of clover. Clover typically grows in spring and fall when temperatures are cooler. During these periods, it produces foliage and flowers slowly. In hot summer months, clover goes dormant due to high temperatures and lack of moisture. Afterward, it may experience a growth spurt before winter sets in.

When Not to Cut Clover Food Plots

The key thing to note about cutting your clover food plots is not doing it at the wrong time. The most critical period not to cut them is during summer months when they are less active. During this period, cutting will expose the plants’ roots, making them vulnerable to heat stress and disease. Avoid mowing during droughts as well as this can weaken the plants’ root system causing them not to recover properly.

The Importance of Timing

Timing is everything when it comes to cutting your clover food plots. The timing will depend on several factors such as climate, soil conditions, type of clover, and intended use of the plot. Generally, experts recommend mowing your clover food plots every 4-6 weeks during spring and fall when they are actively growing.

Cutting too early or too late can have negative effects on your plot’s health. If you cut too early, you can damage the clover plants’ ability to produce seeds and reduce its deer nutrition value. On the other hand, cutting too late can result in mature stems that may not dry well and attract unwanted pests. It’s essential to monitor your plot and its growth before making the decision to cut.

Cutting for Seed Production

If you are looking to establish or maintain a clover plot specifically for seed production, timing is crucial. Experts recommend harvesting the seed heads when they turn brown and begin to dry. At this stage, the seeds are fully developed, and cutting them will help disperse them effectively.

It’s worth noting that if your goal is primarily for seed production, it’s best to avoid cutting your clover food plots during drought periods as this can decrease seed production significantly. In cases where there isn’t enough moisture for seed production, it’s advisable to skip mowing that year.

How to Cut Clover Food Plots

When it comes to cutting your clover food plots, some techniques will ensure optimum results. One popular method is strip mowing or strip discing. This involves mowing specific sections of the plot at different times while leaving some areas uncut. This way, there will always be some undisturbed clover growing throughout the season.

Another technique is known as selective mowing or clip and drop method. This involves using a mower with an adjustable height or a weed trimmer to cut only the tall plants in your clover plot while leaving shorter ones intact.

Maintaining Clover Height

Maintaining an ideal height in your clover food plots is crucial for healthy growth and re-growth. Experts recommend keeping your clover between 4-6 inches tall after cutting. This height allows sunlight to reach new shoots at ground level while providing adequate shade for roots during hot weather.

However, if your plot is significantly taller than six inches, it’s best to cut it in stages, lowering the mower’s height gradually until you reach the ideal height. This gradual method will help prevent shock and damage to the plot.

In summary, knowing when to cut your clover food plots is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive plot. Timing is crucial, and it’s advisable to monitor your plot carefully before making the decision to mow. Remember to use appropriate techniques and maintain a recommended height to ensure optimal growth and re-growth. By following these expert tips, your clover food plots will attract and provide essential nutrients for deer and other wildlife year-round.

Understanding Clover Food Plots

Clover is a popular choice for food plots among hunters and landowners, thanks to its versatility and high nutritional value for wildlife. It is a type of legume that belongs to the same family as peas and beans. This unique plant has the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, making it an excellent source of natural fertilizer for the soil.

Clover food plots are sown with a specific purpose of attracting deer, turkey, rabbits, and other game animals. They provide essential forages that support wildlife through all seasons. Additionally, they also help in improving soil health and reducing erosion in your hunting grounds.

When is the Best Time to Plant Clover?

The timing of planting clover largely depends on your location and the type of clover you want to grow. The two most common types of clover used in food plots are ladino white clover and red clover.

In general, it is best to plant clover during late summer or early fall before the first frost hits. This will give enough time for the plants to establish their root systems before winter sets in.

If you are located in cooler northern regions, opt for planting clovers during late summer (August-September). However, if you live in the southern states with milder winters, it may be best to wait until early fall (October-November) to plant your clover.

Factors to Consider Before Cutting Your Clover Food Plot

Although there is no strict rule for when to cut your clover food plot, there are a few factors that you should keep in mind before grabbing your mower.

1) Plant Maturity: Clover plants have different growth stages – vegetative (leafy), bud (before flowering), blooming (flowering), and seed production (after flowering). The maturity stage will determine how much nutrition the plants will provide to wildlife.

For instance, if you cut your clover plot during the early vegetative stage, it will result in more leafy forage for deer and other animals. On the other hand, if you wait until the blooming or seed production stage, the plants will produce less leafy forage but more seeds that can reseed themselves for the following season.

2) Wildlife Population: If your property has a high population of deer and other game animals, it is best to leave your clover uncut during the early stages. This will allow them to have access to more nutritious forages, which can help support their nutritional needs throughout the year.

However, if your property has a lower population of wildlife, cutting your clover plots during different stages can create new growth and fresh forage sources that can attract animals to your hunting grounds.

3) Weather Conditions: Environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation can also play a significant role in deciding when to cut your clover food plot. For example, if you are experiencing an unusually dry summer, cutting your clover during the vegetative stage may result in slower regrowth due to drought stress on plants.

On the other hand, if you live in an area with heavy rainfall, delaying cutting until later stages may allow your plot to benefit from consistent moisture and produce more abundant forages.

How Do You Cut Clover Food Plots?

The traditional method of cutting clover food plots is by using a rotary mower with sharp blades. However, this method may not be suitable for all situations or property sizes. Here are two alternative methods you can try:

1) Hand Cutting: If you have a smaller property or want to avoid damaging young clover plants, hand-cutting is an effective option. Use pruning shears or a scythe to gently remove the top layer of plants without disturbing their roots. This method mimics natural grazing by wildlife and can encourage new leaf growth.

2) Strip Mowing: For larger properties, strip mowing is another practical option for cutting clover food plots. This method involves cutting strips of different lengths across the plot, leaving uncut strip areas in between. This creates a diverse mix of vegetation heights that can benefit a variety of game animals.

Knowing when to cut your clover food plots can make a significant difference in attracting and sustaining wildlife on your property. Keep in mind the plant’s growth stage, wildlife population, and environmental factors before deciding on the best cutting time for your clover plots. Experiment with different methods to see what works best for your property, and enjoy the benefits of having healthy and productive clover food plots for years to come.

1. When is the right time to cut clover food plots?
The ideal time to cut clover food plots is when they reach a height of about 8 to 10 inches. This usually happens in late spring or early summer.

2. What is the purpose of cutting clover food plots?
Cutting clover food plots helps promote new growth and prevents them from getting too tall and woody, which can be unpalatable for wildlife.

3. How often should I cut my clover food plots?
It is recommended to cut your clover food plots at least three times throughout the growing season, with a spacing of 4-6 weeks between each cutting.

4. Can I cut my clover food plot too short?
Yes, cutting your clover food plot too short can damage the plants and hinder their ability to regrow. It is important to leave at least 4 inches of growth when cutting.

5. Is there a specific type of equipment I should use for cutting my clover food plot?
It is best to use mowers with sharp blades or disc mowers for cutting clover food plots as they provide a cleaner cut and reduce the risk of damaging the plants.

6. Will cutting my clover food plot attract more wildlife?
Yes, cutting your clover food plot at the right time can attract more wildlife as it promotes new growth and provides fresh, palatable vegetation for them to feed on.

In conclusion, knowing when to cut clover food plots is crucial to ensure successful growth and optimal nutrition for wildlife. As discussed in this article, there are various factors to consider when making the decision, such as the type of clover, intended use, and timing. Cutting too early can result in stunted growth and reduced nutritional value, while waiting too long can make it difficult to properly manage the plot. It is essential to regularly monitor the growth and health of the clover and adjust cutting schedules accordingly.

Another key takeaway is the importance of balancing game management goals with proper clover maintenance. While cutting can be beneficial for promoting new growth and deterring weeds, overcutting or cutting at the wrong time can have negative consequences on the plot’s overall health and attractiveness to wildlife.

Ultimately, determining when to cut clover food plots should involve a combination of careful observation, understanding of the specific characteristics of your chosen clover species, and consideration of your game management goals. By following these guidelines and staying attuned to the changing conditions of your plot, you can maximize its potential as a valuable food source for wildlife throughout the year.

Furthermore, proper crop rotation techniques should also be considered alongside cutting schedules to maintain soil health and prevent nutrient depletion. Consistently monitoring moisture levels