Frank,

I’ve had clover stands last literally a decade! It seems the four key factors to maintaining healthy, nutritious stands of clover are:

1. Keep the plot’s ph between 6.5 and 7.0.
2. Keep the phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) at moderate-to-high levels.
3. Keep competing weeds (broadleaf and grass) controlled by spraying and mowing.
4. Use a grass-specific herbicide to control most grasses and mowing to control broadleaf weeds before they produce seed.

Clover is a legume, so there is no need to add nitrogen as established stands produce more than they need. However, clover uses a lot of P and K. Furthermore, deer and other critters consume the forage, defecate outside of the plot (deer defecate 12-24 times a day on average!), and hence P and K are constantly being removed from the plot. It must be replenished for the crop to remain healthy. The only way to accurately know the soil’s pH and how much P and K to add is by collecting a soil sample and having it analyzed. I use Water’s Lab as I’ve found their results are accurate and timely. I usually receive the results via email within 24 hours of when Water’s receives my samples. Sample collection and shipping instructions are on their site. Don’t forget to tell the lab what crop you will be planting/maintaining as lime/fertilizer recommendations vary significantly by crop!

Growing Deer together,

Gran