Clover or brassicas ??

[Johnl48]

I've neglected my clover plot, it's full of weeds and grass. I can spray it and mow, probably will come back but our first frost is always 1st week of October and clover is done. I have a blind on the end of the plot, was thinking about turning it over and planting brassicas to draw them in in November,  that will kill the clover tho. Ive had success planting the brassicas but its hit or miss yearly. What to do ??

[Robhuntandfish]

31 minutes ago, Johnl48 said:

I've neglected my clover plot, it's full of weeds and grass. I can spray it and mow, probably will come back but our first frost is always 1st week of October and clover is done. I have a blind on the end of the plot, was thinking about turning it over and planting brassicas to draw them in in November,  that will kill the clover tho. Ive had success planting the brassicas but its hit or miss yearly. What to do ??

ours are much higher than that when we mow, and clover is still there just underneath any weeds that grow.  Looks like they are eating it still, might be why you dont have a lot of clover in it cause they have eaten most of it.   Maybe spray and plant that outside loop around it that is cut, and add in a seed mix that only has a smaller percentage of brassicas, but more winter rye or oats. Then frost seed it all well in March/April. 

 Can also spray it all down and throw a perennial clover heavy mix out there.  Just restart the whole plot then back it up with frost seeding again in the spring.  You should still get good growth before fall and get clover roots established some. Spray it all while its high, leave it a week, then seed it and then cut it.   

[Wolc123]

How big is your plot ?

If it’s more than 1/4 acre, I would split it up .  Plant the weediest half with brassicas and just mow the cleanest half, to try and keep some clover.  Brassicas are good, from about mid November until Jan 1, but clover (even if it’s weedy) is better for the rest of hunting season.  

 

I’ve got a similar situation going on over at my parents place.  There is a long, narrow clover plot over there, of about 2 acres in size, that has gotten quite weedy.  
 

About a week ago, I applied Roundup on the weediest end, over about 1/2 acre.  When that browns out, I’m going to disk it up.  Half of that, closest to the  better looking old clover, will get planted with brassicas around August 1.  
 

The far half will get planted with an Austrian winter pea/wheat/white clover mix around September 1. 
 

In subsequent years, I’ll do the same thing, working my way farther back, 1/4 acre at a time, but the spot that had the brassicas the year before will get the AWP/wheat/clover the following year.  

Edited July 10, 2023 by Wolc123

[Johnl48]

What about hitting it with roundup or arrest and just seeding the brassicas into that without tilling  after brown up ? Then mowing ? Maybe some cereal rye ?

2 clover plots equalling 1/2 acre then another 1/4 acre area but PH is off. Just no time

Edited July 10, 2023 by Johnl48

[dbHunterNY]

11 minutes ago, Johnl48 said:

What about hitting it with roundup or arrest and just seeding the brassicas into that without tilling  after brown up ? Then mowing ? Maybe some cereal rye ?

2 clover plots equalling 1/2 acre then another 1/4 acre area but PH is off. Just no time

problem is clover can take a lot of deer feeding and the other stuff can get cleaned off in a hurry leaving you with a waste land with smaller plots. you could use selective spray like arrest or cleth (if we still can without a license here in NY). cereal rye i'm usually a fan off. it's far cheaper and deer hammer it when into colder months.

[Wolc123]

24 minutes ago, Johnl48 said:

What about hitting it with roundup or arrest and just seeding the brassicas into that without tilling  after brown up ? Then mowing ? Maybe some cereal rye ?

2 clover plots equalling 1/2 acre then another 1/4 acre area but PH is off. Just no time

That might work.  I’d say give it a try, on the weediest half of the clover.  Just mow the better looking half of the clover and skip the mowing on the weediest half that you spray.  

 

I would wait until there is a good rain in the forecast, after brownout, before you broadcast the brassicas.  After they sprout, I would fertilize them heavy, with triple 15, right before another rain.  I’ve always had best luck with brassicas, when I went light on the seed, and heavy on the fertilizer.  

[Johnl48]

1 hour ago, dbHunterNY said:

problem is clover can take a lot of deer feeding and the other stuff can get cleaned off in a hurry leaving you with a waste land with smaller plots. you could use selective spray like arrest or cleth (if we still can without a license here in NY). cereal rye i'm usually a fan off. it's far cheaper and deer hammer it when into colder months.

What's the law state about spraying roundup ? Last I read it was banned in state parks. Can't keep up with all the restrictions here anymore 

[G-man]

 

 

 

Just  kill the weeds  clover is there..  cleth for grasses after you mow with a surfactant.

2-4 db for broadleaf

Just did my orchard 2 weeks ago clover popping thru now and ill let it go to seed

[phade]

You can tank mix both cleth and 24db with a dash of crop oil.

Those weeds don’t look so high so I’d actually spray them without mowing. I believe both do better with active growth vs the stunting impact of mowing, to ensure uptake.

Also be aware of residual - cleth isn’t too bad but 24db can inhibit growth post application for a little while should you try to say, plant brassicas a short while later in there.

Also, most people I know here don’t have either. If you’re nearby ROC and need a small amount of either, we can give you some.

[dbHunterNY]

4 hours ago, Johnl48 said:

What's the law state about spraying roundup ? Last I read it was banned in state parks. Can't keep up with all the restrictions here anymore 

Idk why you're asking about state parks. If it's your private land then go with everyone's saying with cleth and 24d or similar. I agree with phade, no need to mow clover just let it go for now.

[Belo]

you'd be surprised how well your clover is doing under the taller weeds. A mow is like a shot of adrenaline to a decent clover plot. I've sprayed, but still think mowing is far more beneficial.

ps those weeds aren't tall at all from what i've mowed over the last 2 years. Sometimes the magazines and marketing shots makes you think it needs to be perfect. It doesn't, the deer don't care, it's not your front yard. 

Edited July 11, 2023 by Belo

[Johnl48]

8 minutes ago, dbHunterNY said:

Idk why you're asking about state parks. If it's your private land then go with everyone's saying with cleth and 24d or similar. I agree with phade, no need to mow clover just let it go for now.

Just curious on what the law is. I also read you have to have someone licensed to spread herbicide even on your own property  ?

[dbHunterNY]

2 hours ago, Johnl48 said:

Just curious on what the law is. I also read you have to have someone licensed to spread herbicide even on your own property  ?

Can't spray on state land. Need a license on private property only depending on what you're using. I'd you can get it then  chances are you're good to use it, like gly/Round Up.

[G-man]

9 hours ago, Johnl48 said:

Just curious on what the law is. I also read you have to have someone licensed to spread herbicide even on your own property  ?

You can spray what you can buy... some ag sprays are by licence  only  99% of food  plot sprays are homeowner friendly  if you  follow directions

[Belo]

I do remember running into an issue with cleth, which is what arrest max is. Something about it not being able to ship to NY. I ended up getting it on ebay or amazon which has worked for me in the past with other types of products like that. I have some still from last year and after taking a look at my plot a few weeks after mowing yesterday I'll probably spray again. Be aware that it's mostly for broadleaf stuff. If you have golden rod, queen annes lace and other various stuff it's not going to do much.