Our lease is on a pine plantation and I have several small 1/8 - 1/2 acre food plots on some logging decks that border pines and some cut rows in the pines. Most of these are perennial plots with clover and chicory. Some also have winter rye growing that I broadcast in the fall. My question is whether it's worth the effort to clear the annual pine needle drop that lands on these plots or just let the clover, chicory and winter rye grow up through the needles in the spring. I've no idea whether the needles have a positive, negative or neutral affect on the plots.
I'm sure there are others who plant perennial clover in plots that get a pine needle drop. Do you spend any time removing the needles, or just let them lay?
I'm sure there are others who plant perennial clover in plots that get a pine needle drop. Do you spend any time removing the needles, or just let them lay?