Have had great success with white clover blends in the past but no experience with Alfalfa. Since my plots are at camp (far away) I can only mow them twice a summer. Will Alfalfa get too long and smother itself if only mowed twice a summer? Secondly it sounds like alfalfa is slower to establish than white clover, will the alfalfa just get choked out by the clover? Was considering mixing some Falcata in with aberlasting white clover for a mix.
Alfalfa in Clover mix ?
- Thread starter Mike O
- Start date
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
Our camp has grown a red clover / alfalfa mix for several years now. They've grown well together, but the soil should be well-drained, have a pH of about 6.3 to 6.5, and get lots of sun. Not all locations on our property are good for alfalfa. We have a couple fields that fit the description I mentioned. Our deer keep it in check - no need to mow. It's been the favorite food plot for our deer, based on numbers of deer in it eating. (cams tell the tale). We planted this mix around Labor Day to give the seedlings a chance to get established before cold weather. The following year, it went crazy growing. Soil test first.
Our camp is near the zone 6 & 5 border on a mountain top. It was an old farmstead, with existing, cultivated fields. FWIW.
Our camp is near the zone 6 & 5 border on a mountain top. It was an old farmstead, with existing, cultivated fields. FWIW.
GoldenTriangleIL
5 year old buck +
I believe the consensus opinion amongst plotters is that the clover will eventually overtake the alfalfa. IMO, not really a benefit to mixing them as Alfalfa will be attractive for almost the same amount of time clover is and is generally more attractive until the frosts come. Even in the dead of winter my deer will hit the alfalfa plot after gorging on corn or beans. It does pair well with chicory. Get your PH and soil right and consider a grazing variety of alfalfa or one with the right disease resistance.
You may need to spray it the first year so if you want to spend the money for round up ready seed it could be worth it. I use clethodim for the grasses and the alfalfa chokes out most weeds. I mow 2-3 times per year. I am always concerned that the cut alfalfa is going to smother the stand out, but it always comes back.
You may need to spray it the first year so if you want to spend the money for round up ready seed it could be worth it. I use clethodim for the grasses and the alfalfa chokes out most weeds. I mow 2-3 times per year. I am always concerned that the cut alfalfa is going to smother the stand out, but it always comes back.
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
You're right - the clover does eventually take over the plot. But for about 3 or 4 years, it's been a great plot mix for us.
farmlegend
5 year old buck +
I would go for it. Suggest a grazing variety alfalfa, rather than haying alfalfa.
If you've got alfalfa established in your clover plots, it can really shine in dry years, as the alfalfa is deeper-rooted.
If you've got alfalfa established in your clover plots, it can really shine in dry years, as the alfalfa is deeper-rooted.
omicron1792
5 year old buck +
FarmerDan is right. Clover you throw and it grows. Alfalfa is a crop and def takes some babying. Not really what most here are going for.
Foggy47
5 year old buck +
Been in a drought status for the past 5 weeks.....after plentiful rain all summer. Now my clover is going dormant in many areas. And that is my problem even in wet years......the clover simply goes dormant and I am left without much of a food plot attraction.
I've never grown alfalfa in the past......but considering it next year. I've got a good PH and sandy soils. It would have to compete with clover......and I am pretty far north. Looking for words of wisdom here.
I've never grown alfalfa in the past......but considering it next year. I've got a good PH and sandy soils. It would have to compete with clover......and I am pretty far north. Looking for words of wisdom here.
Hoytvectrix
5 year old buck +
I have had pretty solid luck drilling in a mixture of clover, chicory, and alfalfa. I think our pH as about 6.8 with adequate P and K. Clover can definitely outcompete the chicory and alfalfa, but only if the soil is a little on the wetter side. Drier will favor alfalfa and chicory. I think that is the strength in planting a mixture - if parts of your field are wetter or drier, you will have plants that do well in either.
That said, I am trying my hand at a pure stand of round-up ready alfalfa next year. Every time I plant alfalfa I feel like deer use that plot more than any other until the first hard frost. I want to see how it does in a monostand that is "easier" to manage. We have had really hot summers and dry falls the last three years. I am hoping if this trend continues, the alfalfa only plot will still work.
That said, I am trying my hand at a pure stand of round-up ready alfalfa next year. Every time I plant alfalfa I feel like deer use that plot more than any other until the first hard frost. I want to see how it does in a monostand that is "easier" to manage. We have had really hot summers and dry falls the last three years. I am hoping if this trend continues, the alfalfa only plot will still work.
SD51555
5 year old buck +
Throw $50 at it and see what happens. I'd pick a spot, put it in at a 25% rate to see what you get. At that rate, a 5 lb bag should do a couple acres.
I was walking around my yard today, and I've made up my mind that i want to add another tenth of an acre to my yard plot complex. That's gonna give me a chance to try my latest super blend. It'll be a couple years for it to develop, but to do it right, that's the timing. I'll be mowing most of next summer, then a zap and till. I'll lime it yet this fall. I'm gonna do two tons of calcitic lime.
Foggy47
5 year old buck +
Where are you getting lime? I wish I could split a semi load of lime with somebody. If you want to use my lime spreader.....you know where I am.
SD51555
5 year old buck +
I'll haul all of that in the suburu in one trip.
Menards. (my little expansion will only use 400 lbs.)
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Catscratch
5 year old buck +
I'll split with ya...
Foggy47
5 year old buck +
OK.....but above you had said 2 tons. Big difference.
Not sure I need to sweeten my soil up allot.....unless I try to grow some alfalfa next year. I am considering doing that as my clover does pretty well until it's dry (like now) or it freezes.....which it typically does just before the rifle season. Thus I am left with rye and chicory as the means to draw deer to my plots. Alfalfa seems to hold up into winter. Never grew any. My PH is not too bad....at about 6 to 6.4......but if I could bump it up a notch I would feel better about trying alfalfa.
Foggy47
5 year old buck +
If you get me a half a load of lime.....after I spread it......YOU could have my lime spreader. (F.O.B. MN). Deal?
SD51555
5 year old buck +
Oh, yes, I missed the word rate after 2-ton. My bad. I only need 400 lbs for that little expansion. It’s more of a new test plot for me than anything. I really wanna try my latest idea for a blend to see if I can finally cap off years of trying stuff.
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Catscratch
5 year old buck +
Deal! I also have some beachfront for sale if interested. :)
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