Chicory

That's going to be beautiful when it gets 7 feet tall and is covered with blue flowers.

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Those are pretty flowers! Should I not mow my clover/chicory plot?

There will be people who disagree with me on this, but here is what I do - I don't mow the chicory unless it gets a weed problem. Lots of plant species will become much less palatable when they start getting big and mature, but I have found that to not be the case with good forage varieties of chicory. In fact, I have had pictures of deer taking the top 18 inches out of tall chicory plants out with one big bite. If you let it seed out, you will also get the free seed.

In late summer after it seeds, I would consider mowing it off very high and throwing in some grains, clovers or other seed before the mowing to sweeten it up for hunting season. You can get some fresh new plants this way and also get some new tender fall growth in the chicory.

Keep in mind, however, that what I have just told you might not be best for the clover if the chicory is so thick that it shades it too much. I suggest experimenting and seeing what works best for you. Mow part of the plot, but don't mow the other part. After a couple of years you will get a feel for what you like best and what works best for you.

Finally, I will add that I love medium red clover mixed in with chicory because of how tall it gets and how much the deer love it. So, I like to go with both white and red clover in my mix.

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That looks awesome!

I know food plots aren’t a magic bullet but I truly enjoy doing them. And you guys have helped me move up a level in the food plotting game. Mixing red clover into clover plots will be my next goal. White clover grows on its own all over the place. Even if I didn’t plant it. Seeing crimson clover, chicory, and other plants pop up in plots is cool knowing it’s the seed I broadcasted into that area.
 
That looks awesome!

I know food plots aren’t a magic bullet but I truly enjoy doing them. And you guys have helped me move up a level in the food plotting game. Mixing red clover into clover plots will be my next goal. White clover grows on its own all over the place. Even if I didn’t plant it. Seeing crimson clover, chicory, and other plants pop up in plots is cool knowing it’s the seed I broadcasted into that area.

There are some improved varieties of medium red clover that can last 3 years or possibly more if they seed. Check with your local soil conservation office to find the varieties that farmer use in your area, and that will likely be a good choice for you. Crimson is beautiful and I usually plant some, but it isn't as good as medium red.
 
I'm with Native and don't mow some of my clover/chicory plots. I keep several plots within view of the house and can watch deer often. I mow the clover/chicory in my orchard, don't mow others. Deer spend the majority of their time in the unmowed plots (weeds and all). And, like Native I often do seed and mow after the plots/weeds seed in the fall to get a winter crop of cereals.
 
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