What do you guys recommend???

[Taylormike]

Seed Blends?  What do you guys recommend.? I was leaning towards Mossy Oak biologic.  The seed blend I'm thinking about is "Full Draw".  I would use this plot mainly for production during archery season.

Tell me what plots work for you guys during archery.  The only thing I question is this blend is meant to be planted only a month or so before the first frost.  That would mean it would only be in the ground a month before Archery opener, OCT. 1st.  My concern is that a month is too short before the season starts.  I need the deer to get acclimated and familiar with the plot, so they understand there will be an acre plot there for the fall time.  Let me know your guys thoughts.

[Zag]

If you want it only for bow id go with a perrenial thats availible spring summer and fall. Ive always liked the Whitetail Inst alfa rack. Ive planted a seasonal blend on small plots in the past and deer wiped them out so fast I had nothing the rest of the season.

[reeltime]

if you want to do a seed blend of food plot mix from one of the many suppliers just get an ingredients list and head to a local ag store.  Generally its far cheaper and they have it in stock or can get it.  if you buy biologic you end up paying allot just for the brand name.

 

[Zag]

And with that seed you just have to get good seed to soil contact. Ive used a York rake to scuff up the ground.

[Taylormike]

I'm beginning to plan this right now so when spring is here I am ready.  I'm not playing the procrastinating game this year.  I definitely need something for all summer and fall...  I hunt about 75 hours archery and 4 hours with the gun...

[turkeyfeathers]

I'm beginning to plan this right now so when spring is here I am ready. I'm not playing the procrastinating game this year. I definitely need something for all summer and fall... I hunt about 75 hours archery and 4 hours with the gun...

Why only 4 hours during gun if you don't mind me asking ? I've gotten in 20 in 2 days.

[Taylormike]

I don't mind at all.  Not a big fan of gun.  I like everything about archery and not much about gun.  I like gun for one reason, it's more days to be in the woods.  But with this said, I also spend most of the time away from family during archery.  I don't want to push it.

[turkeyfeathers]

I don't mind at all. Not a big fan of gun. I like everything about archery and not much about gun. I like gun for one reason, it's more days to be in the woods. But with this said, I also spend most of the time away from family during archery. I don't want to push it.

as a non bow hunter I still get that. Well played sir. Someday I hope to get a bow and see deer in their natural state of movement Sorry to hijack thread. Back to food plots now ...

[sailinghudson25]

_{Its not what to grow, its where your growing it.    How much sunlight.  How much ground prep has been done.  How rocky is it.  Whats the soil pH and basic nutrients.}

 

_{The more your learn about food plot seeds, the more you do not like mixes.  Seems many large commerical mixes have something you dont like it in.}

 

_{Also, the first year it's best to grow an annual, not perennial.  It chokes out weeds and gets the soil ready for next year.   If the soil isnt too bad and you have no heavy equipment.  Blow the leaves and mow whats there.  Scratch it with whatever you can now.  Put atleast 25 bags of lime per acre.  Or even 20 bags for a half acre,  very few places in NY wouldn't apreciate that much lime.}

 

_{Get that light work done now if possible now.   Then in febuary or so, when the soil makes those broken shards of glass like look from the frost,  put down some sort of clover. and maybe 4 bags of 6-24-24 per acre.  Red clover is a great annual.  Will be there for deer in the summer and fall.}

 

_{Then, the next season will be quite weed free and then schedule a good turn of the soil, some more lime, and then put what you like down.}

 

_{If you have a 1/2 acre and no equipment except basic lawn maintenace tools, clover is the way to go.  buy a quality weedewacker with good string and its mowed in an hour.}

 

_{Give us some good details and pics of what you got for a spot, what you have to prep with, and whats in the area.}

 

_{Also, seed mixes suck for another reason.  Certain seeds need to be cetain depths.  Impossible to do with a mix.   A good mix is a annual cereal like oats and wheat, then put some clover in and maybe some brassicas like rape or turnip for a bit of a late season treat.    You disc the soil, then broadcast the cereal grains, either drag the soil or lightly disc the seed in,  then spread the clover on the top and lightly drag it in.  The cereals get to be 1-2 inches down, and the clovers 1/4 or so.  With good prep and good rain, sowing everything works ok.}

 

 

[First-light]

I just read an article in a magazine stating that a chicory clover blend can't be beat. Multiple smaller plots are better also. Left the magazine up at the cabin so I can't tell you which one it came from. I believe it was a 60/40 mixture, clover being the 60%.

[Taylormike]

I am at a complete loss for what to plant...  There is just too much out there.  Too many products and seed variations.  The spot has already been cleared not prepped.  It is about 60' x 500' in a rectangular shape.  It literally gets 6-10 hours of sunlight in the summer.

 

I love the idea of getting the plot ready in spring but not sure if this will also be conducive to bow season.  I think most of you are leaning towards clover blends. 

[LET EM GROW]

it all depends on location/size/ reason/ purpose you name it.. then comes fertilizer and lime for ph of soil.. do as much research as you can.. 

 

60 x 500 is aprrox. 3/4 acre 

 

but i like clovers and brassicas for archery season.

 

id spray it with roundup end of april after it turns green, wait a week or 2, disk it all in to a good seed bed and plant whitetail clover.. then come end of july,  disk a couple inches deep down the center and seed brassicas in it. Give them a few different foods to choose from. like a buffet.. we all love buffets!!

 

at my place the deer wont touch chicory.. i do not know why, but you cant beat clover!

 

the more research, and the more you plant the more you pick up. to me its an addicting hobby!

[Taylormike]

All great information.  I'm thinking a blend of New Zealand brassicas, clover, wheat and grains.  I had the soil test done.  It says 2000lbs of lime/acre.  So I definitely will be doing some hauling early spring.  I don't have a plethora of equipment but am looking at two 8N's next week.

[LET EM GROW]

if you dont get the perfect equipment, as long as you break the soil and get some loose dirt on top. youll have good results. youd laugh if you saw the first few things i used to break ground for food plots. but they worked! 

 

Clovers, cant go wrong with that. if you want, mix some buckwheat in with it. it will help build the soil, grows super fast and deer love it. 

[Taylormike]

You are the second or third person to mention mixing with buckwheat.  That's what I'm going to do.  Hopefully I can put some equipment together for the spring.  I'm determined and you know what they say, "don't underestimate manual labor", "where there's a WILL, there's a WAY!!!"