Clover Planting in Southeastern-Central Ohio

[shrivl]

When do you guys in the Muskingum Co area typically do a spring clover planting? What about planting alfafa?

[davies2097]

I am planting Whitetail Institutes No Plow, and I am going down to plant it this weekend. My place is in Harrison County which isn't too far from you. I would say the latest to put in your spring plot would be the middle of May!

[TheCream]

After the last few summers, and especially last summer, we are not going to do many spring plantings. We are going to put buckwheat into a patch that will be planted in clover/chicory mix in the fall, and that is it. If this coming summer is even remotely as dry as last summer, spring plantings might be pretty risky for plots that need good moisture to thrive and start. Sure, the deer won't get the benefits during summer, but I think the risks outweigh the rewards. Plant your plots in the spring, and if there isn't enough rain, you could waste all your time, effort, and money.

I'm in Athens County, by the way.

[Monroe]

I did a couple of fall plantings last year - this was the only year my fall clover fields were not successful. Too dry. I am getting ready to replant them this weekend. If you are going to plant - plant asap - if not, hold off until late summer/early fall and hope for rain.

Just my 5 cents

[whitetail_joe]

Im all about planting food plots but after my trip to the feed store today, I wonder how much longer it will last. Three years ago I planted grazing turnips for $1.10 a pound, last year it jumped to $2.25 and today at $2.50. Rape the last two years was a dollar per pound, it went up 50 cents. The cheapest clover they had today was two dollars a pound, all of these are extremely cheap compared to the specialty deer mixes, biologic, imperial, tecomate that are put out today. Fertilizer though, triple 12 cost $13.50, I didn't want that type since clover produces its own nitrogen, but nitrogen free fertilizer cost $19 a bag. Not to mention fuel for the tractor. But I guess that is the time we are in now.

[Monroe]

thats ok - clover needs a little nitrogen at startup - so go for the triple 12 - the clover will like you. Once established - you don't really need the N - it will make all of the clover competition happy.

Fertilizer prices do suck right now. Increased 30% in two weeks.