How to Maintain Your Clover Plots: Mow, Spray, or Both?

There is a heated debate over the topic of, whether should you mow your clover. There have been many schools of thought, but now a long-term research project has provided us, land managers, with the best option for perennial plot maintenance. Recreational mowing is often overused and done to the detriment of wildlife and perennial food plots. The research conducted by the University of TN and graduate student Mark Turner showed that routine mowing reduced the amount of clover produced, reduced deer activity in the plot, and did not decrease the persistence of broadleaf weeds. Mowing was, however, recommended once during late summer to clip weeds prior them producing seed heads, but following up with an herbicide solution can provide a longer-term maintenance solution. Don't mow just because you enjoy it. Research is only good and useful if it is applied. Remember a food plot's goal is to produce the most and highest quality forage per acre possible, so don't mow it off just to have something to do.