Cabin Fever

I noticed apples today, where I didn't even realize I had apple trees! Don't know if this is the first year that they've produced or what? As I was driving in the lane at camp, I noticed apples laying in my lane in 2 different spots! I thought WTH? Someone must be messing with me! Got out and looked, and sure enough, loaded apple trees! Had the place for 14 years now and don't ever recall having this happen before.

Anyone plant or have experience with triticale? The farmer that borders my property is putting in a field of triticale. I don't know anything about it. I've noticed it listed as a seed in a lot of foodplot mixes. After doing some research, I read that it's a hybrid between wheat and rye. Read some foodplotters say that the deer keeps his triticale plot mowed down like a golf course, then I read others say that they prefer wheat or rye. Been busting my hump getting my measley 1 1/4 acre plot ready to plant my WW, WR, and Oats, as that's about all we don't have in the area. NOW the farmer decides to finally do something with the field and plant a grain!!

I have a hell of a time setting my over-the-shoulder-bag-seeder to broadcast tiny seed, such as clover. Never fails, that I go through a 1/4 acre worth of seed within ~20 steps! How do you judge how much your broadcasting if you can't see it even being thrown out? So frustrating AND expensive!!

Ouch! Good luck! Right before hunting season! That's gotta sting...

Too funny! Gotta give him credit for not just stealing the cam though!

Does everyone use the regular oats or splurge for the Buck Forage Oats that are claimed to be more cold tolerant??

I just started looking into triticale a little last night. Don't know much about it though...

Gotcha on the BW... I thought the deer liked them when they were young emerging plants, that's why I thought I'd throw them into the mix/buffet!? Not sure what I'll do with this plot next year. See how this year goes, then decide, I guess...

No, I just set my discs so they just tickle the ground enough to disrupt the soil and cover the seed. I can walk around afterwards and still see a lot of the seed.

I got carried away and disced up 1/4+ acre plot more than I had planned on. Wondering what else I could throw in there to try, that's is not too late to plant? BTW, don't say the "B" word (brassicas)!! (I planted ALL kinds, plus Biologic Maximum mix, for 3-4 years wasting foodplot space and lots of $, without the deer ever as much as nibbling on them!) Willing to grab a bag of something off the shelf, if someone has had good luck with it. I have plots of established clover/chicory/alfalfa. Already preparing to plant a 1 acre plot of WW/WR/Oats/BW. My property is surrounded by soybeans, corn, and apple orchards.

Great suggestion with the staggering! Never considered that or even heard of it before! So, I would typically prepare the seedbed, broadcast seed, disc lightly to cover seed, then pack. When you stagger the planting, do you just broadcast the seed and leave lay on the soil, without discing and packing? If so, I like that idea even more! One more question. It's been a few years since I've planted fall grains, as I'd pretty much given up on them. I called the seed store yesterday to get prices. He (Mennonite) told me that since I'm not interested in actual grain production, that I don't need to fertilize. I'm planning a 1 acre plot of WW/WR/Oats and may even throw in some buckwheat. I thought I remembered that WW and oats needed fertilizer? Maybe not? Would fertilizer make the plantings sweeter, greener, extend their palatability, or make them more attractive in any way?

Nice lookin' buck!

OMG!! What great bucks!

I know that Labor Day weekend is usually the rule of thumb for planting grains for fall plots. I did that before, and we had a warm fall and extended growing season. The wheat, rye, and oats grew fast and got tall and stemmy. What's been your experience with timing the planting of grains? I did all the prep work today, so I'm debating whether I should seed this weekend, as they are calling for rain Sunday night/Monday OR if I should hold out until next weekend. I guess it's just a crapshoot...

WOW! I haven't haven't heard anything about it, but I sure as hell hope not! Wouldn't surprise me though...

Hmmmm. I wonder if a fall planting would be any different? It will freeze out, right? Come back next spring?

Anyone have any experience with deer usage of buckwheat? Been toying with the idea of throwing some in buckwheat along with winter wheat, winter rye, and Buck Forage Oats in a 1 acre plot. I've read some say that the deer devour it and others say that they won't touch theirs.

They rave about WR on the QDMA foodplot forum, as the are suppose to deer love it, cheap seed, will grow anywhere (even sprout in the back of a truck!), great draw all through the winter, and needs little/no fertilizer! I have never seen deer touching my WR, nor have I even seen any sign of usage. When there's snow on the ground, I won't see any tracks in my WR plots, let alone any sign of digging or anything! It's guys like you that make me feel like I should give it yet another try! Maybe I'll mix some in with my BFO, just for kicks...

That is so cool! I gotta get one of those! Probably out of the question this year though. Kid just started college and funds are REAL tight...

Nice! Quite the buffet! BTW, if you get hungry for a snack while you're out there, those groundhog radishes are pretty tastey! I would just pull, peel, and enjoy!

No, I'm done F'n screwing around. I guess it's just gonna be Buck Forage Oats this year for a fall crop (already have clover, chicory, and alfalfa established). WW, WR, nor brassicas have ever attracted deer to my plots, not even in the middle of winter. Guess they have too much else to eat. I'm surrounded by corn, soybeans, and apple orchards.

What jackasses at Gander Mountain! I called this morning, before making the 30 min trip, to make sure they had exactly what I wanted in stock. Told customer service the part # and name. I was on hold for 15min, so I hung up, and called back. She says, "Oh yes, I was just looking at them on the computer and called the guys out back, and we DO have them in stock" and told me where they were! I drove there, looked all over, but didn't find them. I asked 3 guys and they all said that they didn't have them in stock!! Boy was I pissed!! The manager (?) happened to walk by and I let him know how pissed I was! They offered to order them for me and send to my house, but it might take ~30 days!! Screw that! Let them know I was NOT happy with their idiot customer service!!! I would have stopped by and paid customer service a visit too, but there were ~10 people in line! Thought I'd run over to Dicks and see if they had any. I was walking up and down the isles looking for foodplot seeds. The only thing I saw were attractants, and lots of them. I asked the guy where the foodplot seeds were? He said they haven't gotten ANY in!! I looked over and saw 2 BIG displays of attractants (illegal), but NO foodplot seeds (legal)!!! WTH???? I give up................

Beauties! They would be in trouble on my place!

Yeah, that's probably what I'll end up buying at GM, if I can't find a local supplier of Austrian or #4010 winter peas. I called GM and they have them in stock right now. Gotta head up that way anyway today, so maybe I'll just grab a bag. I plan on mixing with a plot of Buck Forage Oats. I've tried winter rye and winter wheat a few times, but the deer just don't dig 'em for some reason. Thought I'd try BFO again this year.

I planted them ~ 3 years ago, along with a mix of Winter Rye. I still remember seeing deer in the plot, raising their heads, with winter pea vines dangling from both sides of their mouth! LOL The winter peas didn't last long though! They targeted them!!