Food plot questions on cutting

[Carl]

I have property in Sidney center ny and have planted three food plots. Had soil tested and the clover started to come up by the end of may. I had herd that clover should not exceed about 9" and when it does you should cut it, but you should bag all the clippings. I also herd that you should cut it when you see the seed heads, but not to cut it when the temp. Exceeds 85 degrees. I live on long island and don't know exactly how it's growing but herd we are in a dry spell, I think the fields should be cut once at the end of July and again in September some time, what do you think? Thank you Carl B. from long island and Sidney center

[SplitG2]

carl, you don't need to remove the cuttings. If it was alfalfa than I would. You never want to cut 50% off the clover when cutting. I'm sure with this drought your clover is stund and I wouldn't cut it. You need to wait for some more rains and cut it later this summer. What kind of clover?

[landtracdeerhunter]

Maybe kind of depends what brand of clover it is. I grow a few acres of red clover for hay. Always wait for heads to form and blossom, before cutting.

Edited July 8, 2012 by landtracdeerhunter

[dave6x6]

If it's a new planting this year, then unless your that kid that posted that awesome clover patch a few weeks back, then i would doubt your clover is near 9" given the weather we've been having. I do have some concerns about the weeds though. If your up to the property, and your debating about mowing, you may want to at least mow the weeds that may be getting out of control and already gone to seed. If i'm wrong about the clover, and it is tall, then i would do as Splitg2 suggested and wait on clipping the clover til we get some rain in the forcast. Again, wait for rain if your gonna mow the clover, but feel free to mow the weeds if they need it.

Edited July 8, 2012 by dave6x6