Clover planting date?

[Pav2704]

I have never planted clover before so I was curious as to when you guys plant it? I thinking about using whitetail institutes brand. I have great success with many of their other seeds. They reccomend anytime between April 1 and June 1. That window seems awfully large? Is there an ideal planting date that you guys reccomend? Thanks

[growalot]

It's that big due to different areas of the state...they require good moisture but not wet...and temps on the cooler side...that is why frost seeding clovers work so well....that said IMO WTI clover seed is a tad more "sensitive " than the regular Lidino I seed...I would never frost seed it...It's too expensive not to plant just as directed...

[Fantail]

As growalot said it's going to depend on your area. I like to start work toward the end of Spring Turkey if it's just some clearing - reseeding etc. Last years clover plot came back in force and the game cams said the deer liked that. For any noise - tiller/chainsaw work I tend to wait untill June.

[SplitG2]

WI clover shouldn't be frost seeded because it has berseem cloer. Berseem can't be frost seeded.

[G-Man]

Early May is best time if you already have soil prep work done. DO NOT OVERSEED seed is very small and tough to see if you see it its prolly too much.follow directions then take 1/2 of what they recomend per acre and cover your acre, then go back and use second half to cover again. that is biggest problem with clover overseeding and it chokes itself out... Cant get it in in may? Think about planting with oats or wheat or rye, cerial grains will grow faster and provide some shade for they young clover plants. The field can then be left to mature, or you can cut when 8 in high or so. worst thing for clover is for young plant to be exposed to excessive heat and dry.

[Pav2704]

Thanks guys... I thought April was too early. Best bet then is opening weekend for turkey.

[Pav2704]

I get just as excited planting as I do when hunting season starts!

[landtracdeerhunter]

Good luck and post some pics.

[G-Man]

wi clover is the best i have used, deer walk by biologic to get to it! Just watch seeding rates and make sure you have firm seed bed.. some of my wi clover fields are now 7 years old.

[landtracdeerhunter]

Some of the mixes we've had in the past had a lot of alsike clover, that gets bitter as it matures.

[NYBowhunter]

Another alternative to the name brand seed mixes is to locate a local agway. This is where I get most of my seeds from. I use agways white ladino clover and I can't see the difference from WI white clover brand other then WI clover seed being inoculated and being a lot more costly. Put the clover side x side and I can't tell the difference between agway and WI and deer on my property do not show favorable browsing over one or the other. At least that has been my experience with my plots. BTW Agways in general usually have a good assortment of both annuals and perrenials and may even order seeds if not in stock .Good luck, keep us posted of your progress.

[SplitG2]

make sure you have a ph above 5.8 and you have something to cut it.

[Pav2704]

Thanks split... The area is about a half acre. I checked ph last year and it was close to 6.5. I planted brassica and turnips last year and they came up great. I usually add 5 bags of lime every year. Could I use the brush hog that I rent from agway to cut with or is that too harsh on the clover? I could bring my lawn mower up as a last resort.

[SplitG2]

Brush hog will work fine.