Written by: Kevin Owens
Edits by: Pierce Young
Many land managers believe perennial clover food plots must be mowed regularly to remain productive, but research shows that mowing is often unnecessary and can even be counterproductive, despite decades of popular articles claiming otherwise.
Mowing Can Reduce Food Value
Clover is naturally a low-growing, spreading plant that does not become tall, woody, or rank like grasses, so it does not need mowing to stay tender or palatable. Mowing removes high-protein forage that deer and other wildlife would otherwise consume. When clover is cut, the plant relies on stored root energy to regrow, diverting resources away from producing new, nutritious leaves. Research has found that clover plots that were mowed less frequently had higher biomass and crude protein content compared to frequently mowed plots. Deer use was highest in un-mowed plots, as the taller, denser growth provided more forage and cover. In active food plots, grazing by deer and other herbivores naturally maintains low, lush growth. Deer selectively feed on the most nutritious parts of the plant, effectively performing the "mowing" function at no cost or effort to the manager.
Mowing Can Encourage Weeds
Frequent mowing can expose bare soil, which creates ideal conditions for weeds to establish. Clover performs best when allowed to form a dense mat that shades the soil, suppressing grasses and broadleaf competitors. According to recent research, plots that were left un-mowed had 30–50% fewer invasive weeds compared to mowed plots, highlighting the importance of canopy density for weed suppression. Interestingly, many of the weeds that herbicides did not control were actually beneficial; they served as additional forage for deer and added structural diversity to the plots.
Focus on Soil Health and Fertility
The key to maintaining a productive clover plot is not mowing but optimizing soil conditions:
- Soil Testing: Conduct regular soil tests to monitor nutrient levels.
- pH Management: Maintain soil pH around 6.0–6.5 using lime as needed.
- Fertility: Apply potassium and phosphorous based on soil test recommendations.
- Herbicides: Use selective grass and broadleaf herbicides when necessary, ideally twice per year (March/April and October before frost).
- Overseeding: Lightly overseed in each Fall to maintain stand density.
Bottom Line A healthy clover plot thrives on good soil conditions, proper fertility, timely herbicide application, and natural grazing pressure. Mowing is rarely needed and can actually reduce forage quality, increase weed pressure, slow regrowth, and create a less attractive food plot. By focusing on these management practices, land managers can maintain lush, nutritious clover plots that benefit wildlife year-round.
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