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Post by grey squirrel on Dec 1, 2012 19:17:46 GMT -5
I have a spot picked out for next year for a food plot. The area is about 30 yds wide by 60 yds long. It is in the middle of the woods I hunt, a creekbank area, and has no trees in this area so the sun should hit it at least 4 hours a day. I was looking at some Evolved No-til with brassicas, clover and rye. My plan is to use round up on the area, then let it sit for a couple weeks. Then go in with the trailmower and weedeater and just basically get rid of all the dead weeds, etc. Then I plan on using a drag harrow backwards to turn up a little soil. Then, I plan on seeding with the evolved no-til. Also, spreading 12-12-12 as well. I have a way of watering via quad, trailer and water container. My biggest question is when should I plant this? Should I do it in the spring? If so, when? Or should I wait to around last of August to put it all together? Any advice, pros and cons, I would appreciate it.
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Post by throbak on Dec 2, 2012 10:30:13 GMT -5
The VERY BEST option is do the round up now,, and i n Feb. or early March Frost seed ladino clover I live near on the Switz, Jeff. co. line dont do fert. yet or without a soil test dont do any thing but frost seed stop by and I can show you the results on every thing I have tilled I ended up frost seeding any way If you want brassica, s you will have to wait till fall with the frost seeding its ready for this year another Idea i have done with good results is Buckwheat spring harrow the buckwheat fall Turnips and then frost seed ladino Good luck
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Post by grey squirrel on Dec 2, 2012 11:05:55 GMT -5
Great, thanks for the info. How often do u think I will need to cut the ladino clover if I go that route? I do want to be able to use the plot next fall, so I will probably do what u suggested and go with the ladino clover. Thanks!
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Post by throbak on Dec 2, 2012 11:15:10 GMT -5
On my plots about twice and then just for weed control the deer keep the clover trimmed in mine I cut mine just above the clover blossums that way it reseeds itsself
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Post by grey squirrel on Dec 2, 2012 12:02:48 GMT -5
Ok, thanks! I have a new plan now thanks to your info. Can't wait to get started.
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Post by Woody Williams on Dec 2, 2012 12:36:04 GMT -5
First thing get a soil same analyzed at your coop and they will tell you what amount of lime and fertilizer is needed..
Then after that follow the above advice.
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Post by grey squirrel on Dec 2, 2012 21:07:42 GMT -5
Thanks fellas. I'm looking forward to getting the plot going.. My oldest daughter (12) took her first deer, a button buck, during the youth season this past fall. I'm hoping to get both my daughters set up with me in a buddy stand over the food plot next fall.
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Post by daneowner on Dec 2, 2012 23:34:24 GMT -5
grey squirrel, A couple of things to consider if you go with the Ladino clover for the spring, summer plot, use a fertilizer with less nitrogen like 6-24-24 instead of 12-12-12. The extra nitogen will only cause more of a weed, grass problem. Also take note that ladino is a very small seed, approx. 800,000+ seeds per lb. You may not want to use more then a lb. for the size of your plot. As far as mowing, if you have any deer at all, they will keep it mowed for you. Use the extra nitrogen in the fall for the brassicas. Good luck!
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Post by grey squirrel on Dec 3, 2012 16:59:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the help daneowner, Im new at this food plot stuff, so I need all the help I can get.
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Post by daneowner on Dec 3, 2012 19:25:33 GMT -5
One of the most important things for food plots is the PH. A ph of 6.0 or better is what you want for most clovers. Deer love the ladino clover, only problem is it doesn't tolerate dry weather very well. I put in a 2 1/2 acre field of pure Ladino one year and watched it turn brown before we got a rain to green it back up. I still use it but only in a mix with other clovers now.
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Post by throbak on Dec 4, 2012 8:14:46 GMT -5
One of the most important things for food plots is the PH. A ph of 6.0 or better is what you want for most clovers. Deer love the ladino clover, only problem is it doesn't tolerate dry weather very well. I put in a 2 1/2 acre field of pure Ladino one year and watched it turn brown before we got a rain to green it back up. I still use it but only in a mix with other clovers now. was it drilled or frost seeded Drilled Ill bet or some type of tillage because of that problem Thats why I use a cover for weed controll (Buckwheat ,Oats,Turnips,Wheat or something and then frost seed |
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Post by grey squirrel on Dec 6, 2012 18:35:02 GMT -5
Throback, will the Roundup work this time of year? If so, which solution should I buy?
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Post by daneowner on Dec 7, 2012 0:09:09 GMT -5
One of the most important things for food plots is the PH. A ph of 6.0 or better is what you want for most clovers. Deer love the ladino clover, only problem is it doesn't tolerate dry weather very well. I put in a 2 1/2 acre field of pure Ladino one year and watched it turn brown before we got a rain to green it back up. I still use it but only in a mix with other clovers now. was it drilled or frost seeded Drilled Ill bet or some type of tillage because of that problem Thats why I use a cover for weed controll (Buckwheat ,Oats,Turnips,Wheat or something and then frost seed Field was fall tilled, worked in winter wheat for nurse crop, cultipacked, broadcast clover, re-cultipacked. Great stand but drought the following summer caused it to go dormant, didnt kill it just caused it to turn brown just like blue grass will on a lawn. For me frost seeding is OK unless you have an early warm up to sprout it and then goes back to freezing, then it will kill it. Can be a gamble, but what isn't. LOL! |
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Post by throbak on Dec 7, 2012 6:53:27 GMT -5
If it is green Round up will kill it I Get the Imitator plus at Rural King in the 15 gal drums At around 10.00 per gal I sprayed Warm season Grass a week ago It,s dormant so most killed was fescue and other cool season grasses I didn't want alot of the forbs you want to keep are also dormant so now is a good time to spray BEFORE the ground freezes solid
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Post by throbak on Dec 7, 2012 7:00:09 GMT -5
Dane: I have had the same problem myself Sprouting and then no rain in a spring till plot, I personally have better luck with the frost seed I do weed control in spring and summer (buckwheat works real well) a fall green plot of some sort then frost seeding in Feb or March with clover
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