N80
Super Member
I'm thinking about planting white clover in the majority of my few and small food plot areas. I might even overseed some of my grassy 'lawn-fields' around the cabin.
I'm thinking about a mix of Patriot (good early yield) and Durana (last for years).
I do not know when to plant them. Seems like you can plant them in late winter, early spring and fall. I'd like to do it soon. Maybe late February or early March. This way I may get some 'frost' effect.
I do not have the proper equipment for this. I have access to a nice no-till drill but 1) it is really too big to maneuver in my little plots (1/4 acre or less and oddly shaped) and 2) I don't think it will handle clover seeds. I do not have a cultipaker. I do not have a spreader. I don't think a typical PTO spreader would work on such a small scale anyway.
So here is my plan.
1) In the next week or so, turn everything over with my two bottom plow.
2) Disk and fertilize. Probably 0-20-20. Too late to lime and I think the pH is okay anyway. Soil test last spring showed it pretty close to 7 which should be fine for clover.
3) Plant using a hand spreader. I know, tedious. But the largest plot is about 1/2 acre and a push spreader really can't handle the rough ground. I also think (guessing) that I might get more control with a hand spreader.
4) Run homemade harrow over it (6' 6x6 with chain link fence rolled around it).
Any thoughts? Any drawback to late winter or early spring planting? Anything I've mentioned going to cause a disaster?
I'm thinking about a mix of Patriot (good early yield) and Durana (last for years).
I do not know when to plant them. Seems like you can plant them in late winter, early spring and fall. I'd like to do it soon. Maybe late February or early March. This way I may get some 'frost' effect.
I do not have the proper equipment for this. I have access to a nice no-till drill but 1) it is really too big to maneuver in my little plots (1/4 acre or less and oddly shaped) and 2) I don't think it will handle clover seeds. I do not have a cultipaker. I do not have a spreader. I don't think a typical PTO spreader would work on such a small scale anyway.
So here is my plan.
1) In the next week or so, turn everything over with my two bottom plow.
2) Disk and fertilize. Probably 0-20-20. Too late to lime and I think the pH is okay anyway. Soil test last spring showed it pretty close to 7 which should be fine for clover.
3) Plant using a hand spreader. I know, tedious. But the largest plot is about 1/2 acre and a push spreader really can't handle the rough ground. I also think (guessing) that I might get more control with a hand spreader.
4) Run homemade harrow over it (6' 6x6 with chain link fence rolled around it).
Any thoughts? Any drawback to late winter or early spring planting? Anything I've mentioned going to cause a disaster?