This past spring I planted a clover plot mixed with Ladino Clovers, White Clovers, Alsike Clover, White Dutch Clover. I also tossed in some Small Burnet. The deer like this plot but I had a bad weed problem and had to mow a couple times.... It looks like I will have some bare spots due to the weeds. The most aggressive of the weeds was Smart weed. That was a real problem that I have not fully eradicated.
I thought next spring I would frost seed or broadcast something in with the clover I have.
Any suggestions?
Bill
Decent sun, well drained health AG country soil. I do soil testing and fertilize as recommended.
So far PH was good for clover per Whitetail Research analysis.
Bill
I wonder if there is a seed I could broadcast in the bare spots next spring that would fill in before the weeds do. Maybe a radish being a smaller seed.
I emailed maxi-Rack and they said if my weeds are grasses, I can spray them out with a grass herbicide like Arrest, Arrow or Dakota If they are broadleaves, mowing is the best option. I assume the Smartweed is of the broadleaf variety and won't be killed by those treatments. That is why I mowed. They are at bay right now but like all weeds never ending battle... They will be back. Ha
I am still holding out hope I can save this plot. The weeds were in one corner and quickly spread to half. I am trying to decide what to do next. I really want to try peas so maybe I could just kill and till the bad parts. Fun to play. So far the deer like all I plant.
Keep the ideas coming. It really is helpful.
Bill
You can research allelopathic effect. I have seen it work against the weed you are having issue with.
Pat, that does look good. I might spray round up on the weedy area next spring to kill the bad stuff so it does not spread. Till it in the summer and try the grain/clover mix.
I really need to keep the weeds out of the other half. That half looks good. Nice and thick but still not as good as yours but that could be the difference in a first year clover plot and a third year as well.
All good info guys!
Bill
I had a similar problem this spring such as this on one of my experimental plots. I left it up to family to roll it after planting and it didn't get done before a really heavy rain. The mix of trefoil, alfalfa, sainfoin and chicory came in decent but weeds were a major issue on this plot. The plot of the same mix that i got rolled before the rain showed very little weed pressure.
So, i clipped that plot twice and also used "thunder" and volunteer. It looks very nice now. This is where i really get nervous when it comes to chemical recommendations, but i'll throw some thoughts out there.
With mixes with clovers and legumes that have broadleaf weed issues, I have sold and used a lot of buctril/brox but it's all about timing when the legumes go dormant and the weeds are still present. You also can apply in the very early growth stages but i advise people to discuss this with your chemical suppliers in your area.
This is also about identifing what your weeds are. Are they annual or perennial? Clipping before weeds seed out is wonderful. If you don't let these weeds produce seed, then long term you will get them under control.
If your planting legumes and wanting to maintain quality forages, you really should be clipping them anyways. Think like a farmer. For alfalfa's your looking at a 3-4 clip system. For clovers 2-3 clippings. Every day as time goes by your alfalfas will lose a point or two of relative feed value. Clovers don't lose quality quite as fast but if you want intake and the quality to grow huge deer, you need to think forage quality and maximum production.
So, small burnet is a wonderful thing but i don't put it in mixes because it stays green late into the season and this makes weed control a little challenging.
My place is near Soldiers Grove, WI. By chance are you close by?
Bill
I used to freak out if my clover/chicory plots weren't 100% beautiful. Now, as long as the majority of the plot is growing what I want, I'm good.
Bill
