The most common perennial or biennial “cool season” choices for deer food plots are certain clovers (ladino, white-dutch, red, alsike, birdsfoot trefoil, and sweet clover) alfalfa (legume) and chicory (herb).
White clover
- long-lived perennial in the north (through Hardiness Zone 4)
- a short-lived perennial or winter annual in the south (disease and drought weaken stands).
- If not cut or grazed to stimulate new growth, the buildup of vegetation on aged stolons and stems creates a susceptibility to disease and insect problems.
- available in several varieties. Each variety has slightly different characteristics.
- The lowest growing type (Wild White) best survives heavy traffic and grazing.
- Intermediate sizes (Dutch White, New Zealand White and Louisiana S-1) flower earlier and are more heat-tolerant.
- The large (Ladino) types produce the most N per acre of any white types, and are valued for forage quality, especially on poorly drained soil.
- Seeding at least 40 days before frost heaving will generally provide enough time for establishment and lowered losses due to frost.
- Mowing this clover down to no lower than 2 to 3 inches will help keep white clover healthy.
- Best overwintering ability is achieved by leaving 3 to 4 inches (6 to 8 inches for taller types) to prevent frost damage in the last mowing of the season.
- It is often combined with annual ryegrass, small grains, chicory and vetch. It can be used with birdsfoot trefoil, berseem, red clover. Remember that birdsfoot trefoil can be easily shaded out in any mix containing rapidly growing grasses.
For more information on other clovers and legumes used in food plots, see our SECOND edition of Deer Food Plots Made Easy
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