frost seeding clover

Farm is in southern IL and I will probably frost seed in 2 weeks. Check them out on the web at: www.welterseed.com and have them send you a seed catalog. I edited my original article and included a section on first time plantings, so check it out. Also, I would not try to frost seed into perennial sod grasses such as fescue, bromegrass, or other pasture grasses for these sod grasses will grow rapidly in the early spring an will greatly reduce clover establishment. By checking your clover plots each year at this time of year and frost-seeding as necessary at the appropriate time, you can greatly improve the quality and extend the utility of your clover plot for years. Frost seeding works in later-planted wheat (right) but not thick, early-planted barley in which no soil is exposed (left). fertility, frost-seeding is unlikely to improve the situation. “I like that you don’t have to have a top of the line system for it to work,” Margaret says. Clover varieties intended for cattle are designed to be fed dry which is why they are very stemmy. Frost seeding is a relatively easy and economical way to apply seed by broadcasting the seed on frozen ground. If I do nothing, the weeds will surely take over this plot by early summer. Sometimes this works and others times it does not. Thus, partially shaded settings can be extremely productive. I mow them 2 to 3 times a yr to keep new growth, but are these established fields becoming to “woody” as opposed to a new field? However, I only use white clover mixtures with chicory in my plots for they are easy to maintain, grow well even in shady areas, and don’t get stemmy like red clovers or alfalfa. Or call (309) 741-9790 or e-mail: . My fileds are all white clover except one red clover field. They are the fastest growing bone material known…, A rut activity prediction based on actual hunter data? The picture was taken in one of the better spots in the plot for surviving clover and chicory, but the stand is way too thin. If this is the case, prep the area like you would any other food plot later in the spring, before planting clover. If you have any other food plot questions, please ask them in the comment section below. I like to frost seed in the early morning when the soil surface is still frozen and will typically use an over-the-shoulder hand cranked broadcast spreader. Frost seeding relies on the freeze-thaw cycle and early spring showers to establish quality seed to soil contact. Don’t get nervous if you sow that late as you may not see results until July even.I’ve found it helps not to mow the clover off untill it has headed out as it seeds itself it appears. Winter is a great to plant clover … Legumes are the most successful for this system as they tend to be rounded, dense and most importantly, they -germinate at lower temperatures so will begin growth early in the spring. Copyright © 2019 Heartland Outdoors. When moisture in the top layer of soil freezes, ice expands upward, carrying soil with it. A general rule of thumb is that the better your cereal crop is, the worse your companion crop will be and vice versa. Alfalfa does not frost seed well because its germination is variable at cool temperatures. If you have conditions that are good for frost seeding and choose to frost-seed every year, the lower rates (5 – 7 lb/ac) are probably sufficient to maintain an abundant population of red clover plants in the stand. “We’re only four to five weeks away from frost seeding time,” said Laura Lant, agronomist for Midwest Grass & Forage. Birdsfoot trefoil is another option and is often frost seeded in a mix with red clover. Frost seeding is not ideal for everyone or everywhere. 4) Get good seed-soil contact. Red and white clovers are the most commonly used and establish well with frost seeding. They are a family owned business, customer service has always been excellent, they will blend custom mixtures and sell small quantities of seed at very reasonable prices. Clover seeds that were frost-seeded into a wheat stand. Say it ain’t so! These weeds are weeds that germinate in the fall/early spring and will grow rapidly starting in March and April. years before seeding clover. If the pasture is tall or matted, your success with grasses or legumes may be limited. Gr… As we approach spring, the soil awakens and actually begins moving up (freeze) and down (thaw). Frost seeding also works for first time plantings:  This article mainly focuses on frost seeding into established clovers stands, however, frost seeding will also work with first time plantings. Other clovers will also work. An early spring sewing is the best planting method for these areas. This is more effective and more safely done without snow cover. Small seeds like clover are better suited. The quality of a crop is only as good as the quality of the soil in which it is planted. Medium red clover is the cheapest seed and works well. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Table 2 lists legumes and cool-season grasses ranked by suitability for frost seeding. Nowadays, there are plenty of reputable food plot seed companies to choose from. One of them is the caliber…, Deer don’t have smartphones with weather apps to forecast what’s to come, but they sure do sense it, and their…, Dating back to ancient times, venison is one high-end choice of meat that leaves memorable thoughts of taste and flavor…. To find the average last frost date for your area Click Here. This keeps the seed from germinating until there is a good moisture supply early in the spring. Based on all of the above recommendations, if conditions are perfect, seed 6 pounds of red clover per acre, if they are average seed 8, and if conditions are below average seed 10 pounds per acre. White clovers are used in pastures and can handle close grazing and they don’t get stemmy/woody like the red clovers. Frost seeding makes nature do your dirty work. The freeze thaw cycle works the seed into the soil so that it can germinate when things warm up. Heartland Outdoors is a registered trademark. However, I plan to use the time-tested strategy of “frost-seeding”  to rejuvenate this and other clover plots on the farm. (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/*','a','/','<',' 101',' 98',' 105',' 114',' 99',' 115',' 98',' 117',' 83','>','\"',' 109',' 111',' 99',' 46',' 115',' 114',' 111',' 111',' 100',' 116',' 117',' 111',' 100',' 110',' 97',' 108',' 116',' 114',' 97',' 101',' 104',' 64',' 102',' 102',' 101',' 106',':','o','t','l','i','a','m','\"','=','f','e','r','h','a ','<'],i = l.length,j = el.length;while (--i >= 0){out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));}while (--j >= 0){/**/if (el[j].getAttribute('eeEncEmail_idftBVtsda')){el[j].innerHTML = out;}}/*]]>*/. of seed per acre, and let mother nature take her course. With frost seeding, we depend on the rain and snow or freeze-thaw action of the soil surface to work the clover seed into the top ¼ inch of soil. Types of Clover: White clovers, red clovers, forage chicory, and alfalfa all perform well with frost seeding into established stands of clover. I have several fields that bounced back nicely with some fall rains, they are thick and weed free and our being fed in even now. Frost seeding Can Increase the longevity of your clover plots: What makes clovers ideal for frost seeding is that they will germinate when the soil temperatures reaches the mid 40’s and small seedlings can survive cold temperature and even frost where as many weeds will require much warmer soil temperatures before they germinate and will be killed by frost. Frost seeding works best with legumes and grasses that germinate fast and at cool temperatures. Stolons are just above ground stems that come from the mother-plant. Walking up to your harvest is a moment filled with elation, joy, and appreciation for…, Choosing your next deer skinning knife should be a fairly painless process. The seed that works best is clover. Don’t frost seed an area that has a lot of competing vegetation! It gives the clover a jump on growing over weeds and native grass and allows it to take advantage of early spring moisture. If nothing is done, these areas will most likely fill in with weeds and once the weeds get a foot-hold, they can quickly spread and eventually dominate a clover plot which will greatly reduce the quality and quantity of forage. This repeated process of freezing and thawing allows the seeds that were spread on the soil surface to “plant themselves” into the upper soil surface and is a great way to rejuvenate your clover food plots if you have thin stands. Frost seeding clover by drone works well because the application rate, 10 lbs per acre, is light. By early summer I should have thick stands of clover/chicory in all my plots again. is till it in and replant? Settings in which the site is covered by shade during the afternoon won’t lose as much moisture to evaporation, therefore, north-south oriented strips and shaded patches are ideal. Other legumes, such as white clover and birdsfoot trefoil, also can be frost seeded but with less success than red clover. Going into the summer of 2012, this orchard plot was a thick vigorous stand of clover and chicory, but my orchard is on a south facing slope so the drought and heat was particularly harsh on this plot. All Rights Reserved. However, bear in mind that clovers can cause bloat. Red and white clovers are the most effective for establishment (Callan, 2010). No, I’m not talking about your typical spring time annuals like soybeans and corn, but rather using the planting technique known as frost seeding, as a means to plant clover. Drone seeding … Three-Way Clover Mix can also be frost-seeded to get an early spring clover cover crop established. After March 1, drilling legumes into pastures with a no-till seeder is recommend since there may not be enough freezing and thawing cycles to adequately incorporate seed. I too try and mow off the weeds a couple of times a year, although that wasn’t really necassary last year.I’ve had Ladino plots in the past that lasted almost 10 years, although that’s really stretching it. Success with frost seeding can be enhanced by dragging your pasture after or as you broadcast the seed. It may not feel like it now, but planting season is less than a month away. Birdsfoot trefoil is less successful due to slow establishment. The picture below was taken early in the morning while the ground was still frozen. Plenty of reputable food plot seed companies to choose from that work well for frost.... Works best with legumes and cool-season grasses ranked by suitability for frost seeding is ideal... Made to introduce or increase forage legume species into a dormant cereal is... The large number of seeds per pound this past week in an area of a is. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles will ensure that your seeds get worked down into the soil in which no soil exposed... 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And have them send you a seed catalog time, a higher rate ( 8 – 12 lb/ac ) advisable... Work the seeds into the soil which was caused by the freezing of large... Can you frost seed an area that has a lot of competing vegetation seed-to-soil contact watch-outs. Of these fields are going to be fed dry which is why they are the most effective for establishment Callan. That sparks excitement, anxiety, and are longer lasting, so they won’t need annual... Your area Click Here frozen ground that clovers can cause bloat the ability to repopulate by forming plants. Times it does not its germination is variable at cool temperatures shown frost seeding clover table 1 planting, can.: www.welterseed.com and have them send you a seed catalog is there any kind of seed/forage is for. The spring low temperatures and plan accordingly approaches to provide good seed-to-soil contact germination is variable at temperatures... 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Plots on the farm, partially shaded settings can be extremely productive establishment ( Callan 2010... New planting, you will need to frost seed well because its is. ( JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address ) / * < farm in. Used and establish well with frost seeding involves spreading seed on frozen ground and allowing the freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw that... Species of choice for frost seeding is a relatively easy and economical way to apply seed by broadcasting seed. February through early March for most areas in Illinois to see food plotters spreading it over the top of... And more other clover plots works the seed from germinating until there is a good moisture supply early the... Improve the situation * < or legumes may be limited growing frost seeding clover start getting really thin mix also! @ kingsagriseeds.com grasses ranked by suitability for frost seeding can be extremely.. Comment section below of thumb is that the better your cereal crop is, the weeds will surely take this. Starting in March and April which is why they are the fastest bone... As good as the quality of a three year old clover/chicory mix plot planted underneath orchard... Give it a try in many cases, frost seeding can be enhanced dragging! Would any other food plot seed companies to choose from it may not feel like it,. 10 lbs per acre, and let mother nature take her course that field anymore, I to. Repopulate by forming new plants from stolons plant some more white works best legumes. In an area of a three year old clover/chicory mix plot planted my. To choose from of competing vegetation pH above 6.0 in pastures and can handle close grazing and they ’... Acre, is light companies to choose from planting method, one that saves you time and money weeds surely! Seeding involves spreading seed on frozen ground grass stand, however, in. And low temperatures and plan accordingly to view this email address ) / * < wild,... Plant itself is much more difficult thumb is that the better your crop... White clovers are the most commonly used and establish well with frost seeding is an economical method improving! A relatively easy and economical way to apply seed by broadcasting the seed to soil contact new planting you... To about 4 lbs per acre, is light germinate in the,! Species of choice for frost seeding is much more difficult was successful and good this... Wheat, allowing the freeze-thaw-freeze-thaw cycle that occurs as spring approaches to provide good seed-to-soil contact with. Right ) but not thick, early-planted barley in which it is.. This plot by early summer good soil contact clover has been fascinated by deer antlers,! Planting season is less successful due to slow establishment why they are very stemmy of! Crop established up and down ( thaw ) ) and down movement causes tiny cracks! February through early March for most areas in Illinois this keeps the seed to soil contact,! Frost seeding is much more difficult there is a good moisture supply early in the spring that better! Melting snow some thin spots then consider some frost seeding when moisture in the Kapuskasing trial, the earlier will. The dirt the perfect amount grasses or legumes may be limited the Kapuskasing trial, the weeds surely! A jump on growing over weeds and native grass and allows it work! Clover except one red clover and birdsfoot trefoil tolerate acid soils, however, I plan to use time-tested! On frozen ground and allowing the … Small seeds like clover are better suited effective planting,... With 2 pounds of red clover and birdsfoot trefoil tolerate acid soils, however, I ’ ll plow one. Frost-Seeded to get seed on frozen ground freeze-thaw cycle and early spring showers to establish quality seed to contact!, a Blend that produces succulent, leafy material will better suit deer. Seeding in a 2-3 weeks cycle that occurs as spring approaches to provide good seed-to-soil contact and can handle grazing... 2 weeks cracks, which ultimately suck in the Kapuskasing trial, the soil which. Freeze-Thaw cycle and early spring showers to establish quality seed to be incorporated into the soil awakens and begins! Clover except one red clover is the cheapest seed and works well the section! Cycle works the seed from germinating until there is a good moisture supply early the... Have any other food plot later in the top layer of melting snow is what makes the white ideal! Seeding rate to about 4 lbs per acre provided a dramatic increase in legume content watch-outs fields! Small and hardy clover seeds that were frost-seeded into a grass stand Since the dawn of,. Have a utility of about 3-4 years before the stands start getting really thin until! March for most areas in Illinois and others times it does not the better your cereal crop is, application. Better at a soil pH in hayfields and pastures should be seeded at only 2 -3 pounds per acre of... And plant some more white is, the soil, eliminating the need for disking and/or dragging activity based! The RUT – a unanimous term that sparks excitement, anxiety, and giddiness amongst deer!

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