Crimson with brassicas

[Telemark]

We are in what they call the "Banana Belt" here at Lone Oak....Latitude 45.44 N.

We are 50 miles from Lake Michigan and 70 Miles from Lake Superior, on the Wisconsin Border, so we don't get any lake effect snow. The down side to that is we don't get any lake effect warmth either and ambient temps can get pretty cold - down to 35 below zero actual during cold winters.

We do still get snow but only 40-60 inches on average, whereas 70 miles north of us in Lake Superior country, 300-350 inches is not unusual.

Bottom line is that Crimson has overwintered well here until this year. That being said, the other clovers I planted with the Crimson did not do particularly well this year either so whatever the issue, it apparently wasn't unique to the Crimson.

Was there a difference in snow cover this winter?

 

[Wild Thing]

Was there a difference in snow cover this winter?

Yes - we received 70.7 inches this year, which is the most we have had since I first planted Crimson.

 

[Telemark]

Yes - we received 70.7 inches this year, which is the most we have had since I first planted Crimson.

Sometimes it's just weird stuff like that which can mean all the difference. More snow, less snow, late thaw, colder longer, etc.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

This is crimson clover in this field.........It works well here.

Looks like it only grows well inside that fence. The fence sure tells the tale. Deer munching.

 

[Kdog]

This is crimson clover in this field.........It works well here.

If our deer actually ate it like that, I would seed it again. They don't per my picture above, so I really have limited use for it except on new ground with poor soil conditions.

 

[Garrett S]

So is the general sentiment crimson is more of a builder and less of a draw? Mammoth red is more balanced? Just trying to learn what I need to buy…. (Hahaha)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Potter co notill]

Our camp is south of you - if you're in Potter Co. PA. If you're wanting crimson to over-winter for you there, it's never worked for us - and we're south of you. If you want a clover that'll last the winter and give you some good feed next spring & summer, I'd throw in some regular medium red clover - about 4 lbs. Medium red clover establishes pretty quickly, too - but it most likely won't get big and lush until next spring if you're planting it for this fall.
EDIT ---- Once your radishes and turnips crash - or get eaten this winter - the red clover will be there for greens next spring. A number of guys on here have suggested planting some grain rye along with GHR and PTT & clover for EARLY spring greens next spring. Deer are hurting by March in our mountains.

I planted crimson with my GR and PTT and it did very well came up fine this spring

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Thanks for that info, Potter co notill.

We'll have to give crimson another try. Maybe with this summer's (mid-July) brassica planting, then toss in some WR around Labor Day. That ought to feed something. I'd love it if crimson would overwinter for our camp. That and the WR would be good early chow for hungry March & April deer. Camp in NW Lyco.

 

[Foggy47]

I planted some crimson last year without success here in Minnesota. Still have some left over and may try it in July with my brassica planting. Good idea. I dont think it's going to overwinter here but could supply some N values for the brassica.

For the past few years I have relied on my clover and rye planting to carry our food plots into late Fall and Winter.......and then again in early Spring.

My tasks here in Spring are put "on hold" until we get back from Arizona (mid May).....so I really have little to do here until July.....if all goes as planned. For me the winter rye is the ace in the hole. It's feeding deer late into fall and its the first green thing to offer the often starving deer in the spring. Then the clover kicks in as the rye gets too stemmy for the deer in late May. Perfect combination for my situation.