Venus
Heart-shaped miniature trench system
Botanical Interests 'Prairie Splendor' Flower Mix
Sorghum Sudangrass 'Sweet 6' Dry Stalk BMR
Stock Seed - Stock's Wildflower Mix
Decided to add 1/2 cup of each Strawberry Clover & White Dutch Clover to this plot to start adding some perennial diversity & nitrogen fixing for regions not covered by the Main Trench's root systems.
Looks like the compost cover prohibited most/all of 2022's Bee Clover Mix from setting up. Not much coming up in the undergrowth as the flowers of the 6-8 foot Yellow Sweet Clover begin to fall off. Seed/soil contact in Venus is going to be tricky right now, so we'll use a wide variety of seed types to try to germinate & break through the leafy/compost cover & recycle nutrients. Will NOT be using this compost topping technique for broadcast plots in the future. Luckily our 2021 Bee Clover Mix had a nice biennial in it.
We will broadcast Hairy Vetch, Sudangrass, & the Deer Greens. This will be a total of 7 plant species -- 5 brassica, 1 grain, & 1 legume. Big, aggressive rains may help set this plot up. Hoping for the best here for a different look for September & October.
May also consider a heavy Strawberry Clover broadcast along the entire edge border (oak logs). Separate zone technically.
Plot is showing very strong 6-8 foot tall Yellow Sweet Clover. Very weak on the far side though. Like it didn't stick. Considering a Hairy Vetch broadcast. Plot will be receiving extra sprinkler water in 30-60 minute bursts due to young tree & bush water requirements.
This plot is showing primarily Yellow Sweet Clover at 5-7 feet tall at this point. Definitely signs of absorbing nitrogen from 2021. Seeing signs of deer grazing on it. The Purple Pavement Rose & 4x Snowberries inside of this plot are showing signs of absorbing nitrogen as well. This will be a very colorful plot the next 2 months. Big victory here, considering this plot was just typical grass 2 years ago.
https://extension.sdstate.edu/yellow-sweet-clover-information-and-management