New question about perennial clover

[Ironman]

I have mixed in some Ladino clover into my fall plots. The issue I'm having is, when it comes time to put in the spring plots, I'll totally destroy the perennial clover if I rototill the plots like normal. I guess the only way to take advantage of the perennial is to no-till drill or throw and mow, correct?

I've thought about maybe doing the throw and mow thing, then going over it with a cultipacker. What do you guys do to take advantage of the perennial clover?

[unclefish]

I've been dealing with this dilemma for several years now and decided two seasons ago to let my perennial clover plots keep growing and not plant any summer legumes. I also plant chicory with my clover or in strips next to it. I figured why kill a great existing plot that deer were utilizing during early antler growing season just to try and plant another summer plot. My durana clover will last into June/July in good rainfall years and the chicory will darn near last year round. At worst those two plants provide 9 months of nutrition for them....some years its 11 months plus.

I've tried the throw and mow method for spring/summer legumes for a couple of seasons and it just doesn't work very well at all. The seeds are just too big IMO. I even rolled them with my packer and still had poor results. If you can no-till drill it into your clover then that's the ticket.

[Ironman]

I've been dealing with this dilemma for several years now and decided two seasons ago to let my perennial clover plots keep growing and not plant any summer legumes. I also plant chicory with my clover or in strips next to it. I figured why kill a great existing plot that deer were utilizing during early antler growing season just to try and plant another summer plot. My durana clover will last into June/July in good rainfall years and the chicory will darn near last year round. At worst those two plants provide 9 months of nutrition for them....some years its 11 months plus.

I've tried the throw and mow method for spring/summer legumes for a couple of seasons and it just doesn't work very well at all. The seeds are just too big IMO. I even rolled them with my packer and still had poor results. If you can no-till drill it into your clover then that's the ticket.

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[Ironman]

I've been dealing with this dilemma for several years now and decided two seasons ago to let my perennial clover plots keep growing and not plant any summer legumes. I also plant chicory with my clover or in strips next to it. I figured why kill a great existing plot that deer were utilizing during early antler growing season just to try and plant another summer plot. My durana clover will last into June/July in good rainfall years and the chicory will darn near last year round. At worst those two plants provide 9 months of nutrition for them....some years its 11 months plus.

I've tried the throw and mow method for spring/summer legumes for a couple of seasons and it just doesn't work very well at all. The seeds are just too big IMO. I even rolled them with my packer and still had poor results. If you can no-till drill it into your clover then that's the ticket.

Yeah. I'm coming to the conclusion that I just need to have dedicated perennial plots. I have the areas to do it, as I have several small plots to allow the perennials to grow. I'll just rotate my bigger ones for spring/fall and not spend the money on clover for those.
It's all an experiment for me at this point. I'll see if the smaller perennial plots can handle the grazing pressure. If not, I'll either make bigger perennial plots or harvest some mouths. Not a bad problem to have I guess.

[tex4k]

I'd go with one planting of warm weather/cool weather perennials then you'll only have to do a light till every few years to freshen things up. One fall planting of white clover, red clover, chicory, and alfalfa should get you through all four seasons, then a light discing and overseed when the weeds and grass start taking over. Also throw in some sedges if you can find the seed.