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Post by GumLickBottoms on Dec 4, 2008 9:19:31 GMT -5
I have two open fields inside a woods that the farmer can't get to on my ground with his tractor. Thinking about plowing up on my own with our small tractor for this spring to plant some plots. I have tons of questions but I'll start with these first.
1. Both fields are currently just in wild grasses but have been bush-hogged every year to keep it from growing up with trees and weeds. It makes a good hiding spot when weeds are tall but my father is completely against letting it grow up in weeds. He is not dead set against a food plot though. Should I try to work the grasses out of them this winter (if possible) to hopefully get as much of the grass out as possible.
2. Any ideas on what plot to use? After some research I was leaning towards Imperial Whitetail Clover from the North American Whitetail Institute. Any other ideas?
I'll have many more questions I'm sure but I figured this was a good starting point.
You can see an aerial photo of these two fields in the topic "Inexperienced Hunter" under the Welcome Mat Forum. The fields are located along the creek bottom.
Thanks!
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Post by hornharvester on Dec 4, 2008 10:05:29 GMT -5
If you can plow it before the ground freezes and let it lay until next spring. That will kill the roots of the grasses that are growing now.
Next you need to decide what time of the year do you want the deer in the plots, archery, gun or muzzle loader.
Clovers work good for summer and late fall but after it freezes they die out until next spring.
Oats work good for fall and are done when it freezes a couple times.
Wheat does the same as oats but doesn't die off like oats. The deer will dig threw the snow and eat winter wheat.
Turnips and brassics work from early fall until late winter. They draw the deer in after a couple of hard frost or freezes. The sugars go into the leaves after a couple frosts and the deer love them.
Several companies sell good seeds. The most economical way is to buy seeds from a Co-op. Works just as good and costs about half of the brand name companies.
Don't skimp on the fertilizer if you want a nice plot that will attract deer. h.h.
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Post by GumLickBottoms on Dec 5, 2008 11:34:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea how much money it would take for about 3 acres of clover and maybe some turnips. Grown right of course.
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Post by rmc on Dec 5, 2008 17:00:48 GMT -5
I have been playing with plots for over 20 years now and have learned quit a bit over the years. First off these big name seeds are little to no diiferent then the seed you can get from the local seed supplier. If you have 3 acres I would split it up to cover all seasons for the best results. First off plant a strip of ladino clover around the perimeter of the field about 30 feet wide. split the middle of the field with a strip of sorgum sudan grass. The deer will eat the seed head in the fall and it keeps bucks from being able to see the whole field from the woods edge. in the two remaining parts I would plant a bean of some type and put corn in the other half. When the beans start to die in early fall go in and broadcast wheat in the dead beans and austrian winter peas in the corn. You will have a deer magnet. Gumlickoutdoors, I see you are from Jackson county. I live in Scottsburg. PM me and I will get some info on a place to get your seed from.
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Post by schall53 on Dec 7, 2008 9:38:24 GMT -5
HH, Fall plowing will not kill grass. You want to kill a perennial you have to use Roundup when it is actively growing.
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Post by hornharvester on Dec 8, 2008 10:39:26 GMT -5
HH, Fall plowing will not kill grass. You want to kill a perennial you have to use Roundup when it is actively growing. Tell that to the fescue I plow up to kill the roots every fall. h.h. |
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Post by hornharvester on Dec 8, 2008 11:56:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea how much money it would take for about 3 acres of clover and maybe some turnips. Grown right of course. Depends but a rough quess would be $400.00 - $500.00. Fertilizer prices have tripled this year to around $20.00 for 50 lbs. Seed would be around $100.00. Sure not as cheap as it was a couple years ago. I might not plant any plots next year just because of the cost increase of fertilizer. h.h. |
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Post by schall53 on Dec 8, 2008 13:44:23 GMT -5
I agree fescue will die, try it with quackgrass, foxtail, giant foxtail, and any of the other grass weeds and all you will do is spread the roots out over a bigger area.
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Post by hornharvester on Dec 8, 2008 14:19:51 GMT -5
I agree too that some grasses have to be sprayed. I have some pesky foxtail that I'm going to spray at least twice and maybe 3 times next year. h.h.
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Post by GumLickBottoms on Dec 13, 2008 11:53:52 GMT -5
Guy in town told m I should put out some alfalfa. He said they love the stuff! Maybe I would need something around the outside to provide a little more cover. Any ideas?
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Post by parrothead on Dec 16, 2008 8:51:47 GMT -5
I bought my seed from the Co-op and it last about 3-4 years the last time WI had it on sale for 179 per bag and I used it and it is going on it's 7th year. Make sure you keep the weeds under control. I use Hi Yield for grasses and I can't remember the name of it for broad leaf. I got it from Keystone pest solutions.
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Post by parrothead on Dec 16, 2008 8:54:04 GMT -5
Butyrac is the name. They have a section just for deer food plots on the site.
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Post by featherduster on Dec 16, 2008 16:09:21 GMT -5
Wait till spring and hit the area you want to plant with ROUNDUP it will kill everything. Then when everything is dead do a good job tilling the soil.As it was said lots of fertilizer for what ever you decide to plant.Ask your local farmer when is the best time to spray and when is the best time to plant.Soil temperature is important.
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Post by lonniephillips on Dec 29, 2008 20:50:41 GMT -5
Guys thanks for the info
This will be my 1st time to try food plots with a friend of mine
We aren't sure what to plant but all these ideas sound good
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