Clover food plots, typically perennial plantings like Ladino or white clover, are a long-lasting, high-protein forage source for wildlife. They are popular because they produce quality forage across multiple years with less annual effort than traditional plantings. Maintaining a healthy clover stand involves regular management, and mowing is a beneficial tool in this process. Mowing remains a common and effective technique to sustain the plot’s productivity and attractiveness.
The Primary Goals of Mowing Clover Plots
Mowing serves multiple functions that improve the health and performance of the clover stand. The primary purpose is to suppress unwanted plant competition that can choke out the lower-growing clover. Taller annual broadleaf species, such as ragweed, shade the clover, reducing the sunlight needed for photosynthesis and weakening the stand over time.
Mechanical trimming controls competing plants by removing their upper foliage, which reduces their vigor and ability to thrive. Mowing also stimulates the clover itself. Cutting back established growth forces the plant to divert energy into producing new shoots and leaves, resulting in fresh, tender forage.
This new growth is often more palatable and contains a higher concentration of protein for grazing animals. Furthermore, mowing prevents the clover from “bolting,” which is the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth where seed heads are produced. Clipping the tops keeps the plant in its leaf-producing stage, maximizing the tonnage and nutritional quality of the available forage.
Determining the Optimal Time and Frequency
Timing the mow is perhaps the most important factor in clover plot management, as improper timing can stress the plants and reduce overall yield. A key visual cue for when to mow is observing the clover’s flowering stage, with an optimal window occurring when approximately 25% of the plants show blooms. This timing ensures the clover is forced back into its vigorous vegetative state before expending too much energy on seed production.
Mowing frequency is highly dependent on local conditions, but most plots benefit from two to four clippings during the primary growing season. A common guideline is to mow when the weeds or clover reach a height of about 10 to 12 inches. In many regions, this translates to maintenance periods in late spring or early summer and then again in mid-to-late summer.
Avoid mowing during periods of extreme heat or drought, as the resulting stress can significantly damage the clover stand. Removing too much foliage when the plant is struggling for moisture can expose the soil, leading to increased evaporation and potential burning of the remaining clover. Similarly, avoid mowing too late in the fall, as the taller growth provides beneficial insulation and cover for the plants during the winter months.
Executing the Mow: Height and Equipment
The “how” of mowing is centered on maintaining a specific height to protect the clover’s growing points and overall health. The ideal cutting height for a clover food plot is consistently between 6 and 8 inches. This height is designed to clip the seed heads of both the clover and the competing weeds without excessively removing the primary foliage of the clover plant.
Cutting the clover lower than six inches can remove too much of the plant’s leaf area necessary for photosynthesis, causing undue stress. This also potentially opens the canopy to allow more weed seeds to germinate. The goal is to only remove the top portion of the growth, following the rule of never removing more than one-third of the total plant height at any single time.
Various equipment can be used, including rotary cutters (bush hogs) or sickle bar mowers. The condition of the blade is important regardless of the tool. A sharp blade ensures a clean cut, allowing the plant to heal and recover quickly. Clippings should be left on the plot surface to act as a mulch, which helps to conserve soil moisture and return nutrients as the organic matter decomposes.