How to Kill Grass in a Clover Food Plot

Clover makes a great fall food plot crop. Once established, it is relatively low-maintenance and the deer love it. As they thin over time, clover plots become susceptible to grassy weed infestation. A few grass plants in a clover plot are no cause for concern. Grass and clover co-exist well together. Once the grass begins to compete with the clover, however, you'll have to kill it and rejuvenate the plot to allow the clover to out-compete the grass again.

Glyphosate herbicide

Grass-selective herbicide

Tiller

Clover seed

Low-nitrogen fertilizer

Apply a glyphosate-based spray herbicide to the plot in late summer near the end of the growing season, but when the grass is still actively growing. Re-spray the plot as necessary, according to the manufacturer instructions, until all of the grass dies. If you prefer not to use herbicide, disk-till the soil once, then again at two-week intervals until the grass no longer grows back.

Till the soil to a depth of 6 inches once the grass plants die.

Re-plant the food plot in early spring as soon as the soil thaws and temperatures warm. Giving the clover a head start will help it out-compete any remaining grass seed in the soil.

Kill any grass that sprouts while the clover is germinating and maturing. Use a grass-selective herbicide according to the manufacturer instructions.

Switch to a fertilizer with the lowest possible nitrogen levels. Grass thrives on nitrogen in the soil, but clover does not need it to grow.

Kill and rejuvenate the clover plot if the grass takes over again. You may have to do this once every five years or so.