Progression of a clover plot

[agross]

Just wanted to share some pics of my first time attempt at a clover plot. It back in the woods, i was lucky enough that we got an old disc from my uncle and worked the plot alittle last may (2011).

Planted buckwheat in June 2011 and let it grow till end of July 2011 and then disced it in again with more lime and fertilizer. THen i broadcast mossy oak biologics green patch plus. THe rye and oats cam up great last fall and the clover got a headstart.

Well this March i reseed the bare spots with Whitetail institute clover. Then in early May i limed and fertilized the plot and cut the rye and oats back to clover with a wed whacker. When i returned in end of May the plot took off.

Here are a couple pics from start to finish. Just goes to show you that a little hard work and some rain can make a great plot. Although coverage wasnt 100% of the plot with the clover im hoping that the clover i overseeded in March will comeup. Have to wait until une to go back up then imsetting up the bushnell trailcam to see who is coming to the dinner table.

[growalot]

nice job!....you do know wht Inst. has a % of annual clover mixed with the perennial....it's what makes it green up fast the first year planted...plot is looking good...great to see hard work pay off isn't it

[Fantail]

NIce work - when I went to clover in a plot the other year at first I wasn't convinced of it's value.

Now I can only say I wish I would have went with clover from the start. Good luck!

[erussell]

How does it hold up in late October and November?

[landtracdeerhunter]

Did a fine job. Nothing like clover to please the deer. Looks like a great bow spot where the rewards should pay off.

[ptdecoys]

Did you do any soil tests? Plot is looking really good! Good luck this fall.

[G-Man]

Looks good!

[dave6x6]

Nice looking plot ..

[agross]

Last fall it looked like the third picture, not too much clover mostly the wheat and rye but the deer were on it every day through november gun season when i took my trail cam down.

No actually i never got around to doing a soil test, that is coming this summer next time i get up. Wheni started the plot in June with the buckwheat i just put down about 200 - 250 lbs of pelletized lime and disced it in. THen when i disced the buckwheat in (August 2011) i added more lime and a starter ferilizer my ag store recommeneded based on the blend of seed i had.

Then again in March of 2012 i overseeded / frostseeded with clover (at this time the clover from last year was just getting started going).

May 2 this year i added more lime (250 lbs) and fertilized per my ag store recommended blend based on a clover specific plot and the plot took off. The last green pic is from May 18 or 19 cant wait to get back up and see how she is doing...I also weed whacked the entire plot (about 1/4 acre) so just the clover remained.

Also started a second plot (.2 acre) for my brother about 140 yds away. Was limed a few times last sumer couple hundred pounds but then this MAy i disced it in real good and added some left over winter rye in early May. When i returned on May 18 the rye was about 6 inches tall very sporadic so i added 200 pounds or so of lime and fertilized then disced it all in real good and seeded with Tecomate Monster Mix (a clover chicory blend) we shall see.

Dont know about you guys but after i plant im glued to the weather channel checking each day for the first few weeks after planting praying for rain. This year we had a good soaker the day after i planted, some small rain showers during the first week and then another good soaker 10 days later so my seond plot should beoff and running.

[dave6x6]

Agross, I know what you mean about the weather channel or weather.com . I can't help but check it about 10 times a day after i plant. When i put the clover in this may, it didn't rain for 9 days. I was flippin out. Then we got that good soaking last week and now the weather has been perfect. The client said the clover is doing great.. Wheww. I always say, just like when you shoot a good buck, you don't celebrate til you wrap your hands around those horns. Well when you put in a plot, no matter how maticulous you've been, you don't celebrate til it's thriving and mother nature has done her thing.