|
|
Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Aug 22, 2016 10:29:11 GMT -5
I like to break my food plots up in 3rds, planting each seed type in its own area, is a easy way to see what deer are hitting on and easy to disc under without hurting perninals. I do think this is an excellent way to see what the deer in one's area are attracted to. I figured all deer would like the same things, but they might be like people in that they have a taste for different flavors. I'm not much on curry, but some people eat so much of it they smell like it. I have planted different crops, but some were mixes. If they like the mix, I don't care what part they are eating. I have been surprised at some of the plants that they did and didn't like. |
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Aug 22, 2016 16:20:05 GMT -5
Establishing A LOT of first time plots on the new property of mine. Except for the full brassica plots, Oats/Rye/Wheat will be overseeded over everything! Out future clover/chicory plots will have about 50-100 pounds/acre of the three overseeded over them. They help limit brows on the young clover...also help fight weeds next year but when you mow they die off and the clover can take over (will overseed clover in spring with more clover).
Oats/Rye/Wheat alone I'd go 200lb/acre rate and do not be afraid to utilize as late as mid/late September depending on weather you'll have fresh sub 5 inch growth in bow season and possibly even come mid-november. Deer will dig for it similar to brassicas come the winter...and green up in the spring.
(sorry got my response here mixed with the one for the "oats" thread....will leave though)
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty20 on Sept 6, 2016 8:19:41 GMT -5
Well a little update I didn't buy the trip seed packets but did plant three different kind of mixes. The Biologics last bite is coming in thick! It looks amazing and you can see tracks and grazing going on. So far this seed is coming in much thicker and faster than the others.
The evolved harvest doesn't look bad but appears to be about a week behind the Biologics. Not as dense and not as tall. Same amount of seed and same amount of land. Still grazed and still tracks.
I'm kind of impressed with my homegrown mix of purple top turnips, chicory and buckwheat. Maybe just the chicory it seems to be coming in really thick and I didn't prepare that seed bed quite as nice as the others. There was a decent amount of trash in there when I spread the seed. A good amount of prints and tops that are nipped off in there. This seed I bought bulk from the family farm and home store and left it in my car for a couple months in the summer and it got really hot in there so I was surprised it grew at all.
Overall I'm impressed with all the seeds in my plots and can't wait to see the camera footage. It's been interesting seeing the different seeds grow and can't wait to see what the deer prefer over time.
|
|
|
|
Post by dadfsr on Sept 6, 2016 9:22:01 GMT -5
Luckily I have been able to get leftover seed from what our seed lab tests-have even had some "deer plot" seed samples that have been tested that I've got the leftovers from! However they always have soybeans, turnips, radishes, kale and peas that I've been able to grab after they offer it to rest of our dept....most of it is pretty good stuff! This year I also had some sudan grass and sweet sorghum that I added in the mix too...I meant to add some sunflower seed but forgot it until too late  For the last couple of years I've been putting some scattered small plots around different spots the end of Aug or early Sept. I got all of these plots on 8/27 this year and have had really germination in all of the creek bottom ground while the upper plots are needing more moisture to keep going. I took my Dad for a drive back to check of the plots yesterday-he was getting a kick out of all the deer tracks and the green stems that had been soybeans sprouting but the radishes, turnips and kale are coming on strong so these could be some interesting plots when season rolls around! |
|
|
|
Post by boonechaser on Sept 6, 2016 9:35:20 GMT -5
Fall plots you can't go wrong with rape, turnips, radishes, forage oats, wheat, etc or combo of several. But you need to get in ground asap whatever you choose if you want plot to mature.
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty20 on Jan 28, 2017 22:24:05 GMT -5
So to update for the year. The plots looked awesome all year. The problem is they either tasted like garbage or the deer just didn't know that it was all edible... Very frustrating seeing a beautiful green lush plot of a whole mix of things and no deer on it. Next year I will plant something in the same area but will work harder on the access routes and try to get some better cover for them.
|
|
|
|
Post by HuntMeister on Jan 29, 2017 18:54:41 GMT -5
did you have any perennial clover in your plots? If so I would keep it mowed this spring & summer in hopes of attracting some deer to the plots. Maybe they will get to know that there is food here and hang around for the next fall plantings.
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty20 on Jan 29, 2017 20:06:35 GMT -5
did you have any perennial clover in your plots? If so I would keep it mowed this spring & summer in hopes of attracting some deer to the plots. Maybe they will get to know that there is food here and hang around for the next fall plantings. Yes there was. I know how much there was based on percentage of seed but not sure how much that actually turns into long term. I will keep an eye out and mow it. The turnips were huge though! |
|
