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Questions about new food plot sites

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WNYBuckHunter Experienced

WNYBuckHunter

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We have 4 or 5 spots that we have been working on clearing out to put some small plots in. The biggest of them will be @ 1/2 to 3/4 of an acre. These will not be kill plots, we will be hunting the trails leading to them, etc. We are trying to keep these plots somewhat secluded, and dont want to get in there with plows and the whole 9 at this point. The land owner is fine with the plots, they just dont want them to stick out like sore thumbs, or have us creating big fields of crops. This is big ag country, and there are plenty of crops around us, so feeding the entire herd is not what we are looking to do, just improve and create some funnel type areas and give the deer something different to help hold them close to us.

 

The areas were full of things like multiflora rose, and other various scrub brush, which we have brush hogged. We were thinking of basically giving the areas a couple of years of just mowing and such to keep the brush down and let some of the roots, etc rot a bit before we got in thee with a 3 point tiller, but I thought maybe there is something else we can do to make the plots work for us in the mean time, and help loosen the soil up just a bit. Last night, my partner in this and I got to talking about maybe hitting the plots with a disc this year and broadcasting some turnips or beets or something along those lines, mixed with some clover. Our thought was that the beets/turnips would help break the ground up a little bit deeper, plus give the deer something to start munching on.

 

What are your guy's thoughts on this? I know we have to do soil tests, fertilize a bit, etc. My main question is, would this be a waste of time? Also any ideas on a better route to go? Please remember the goals we are after here.

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WNYBuckHunter Experienced

WNYBuckHunter

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A bag or two of Antler King Fall/Winter/Spring blend comes to mind. (70% winter rye 30% peas).

Since your going to be working up the plots for a few years anyway. It seems to tolerate some shade and ok with ph of 5.5&^.

 

I was thinking about rye as well. I know its pretty easy to grow and fairly hearty

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G-Man Veteran

G-Man

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spray it with 2/4/d and roundup(or similar ) this will do the most to kill off multiflora rose and its roots(spray the edge of the plot as well to control runners) rye,oats,winter wheat, turnip.buck wheat. they will all grow, even if you didn't get soil test done. anything is better than nothing!!

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growalot Newbie

growalot

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Spray ..get some lime down...drag it  or scratch it up with rakes... and hog radish in the fall..put it down before a heavy rain....in the spring you'll have nice cylindrical  holes all over...where the radish started your tilling for you...deer love it....and it pulls up and returns nutrients to the top of the soil for a spring crop...also helps deter weeds.....you can always mix it with turnips and I walked WR over it before a rain....

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growalot Newbie

growalot

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I had them in the radish during bow season..may still have pics...hhhmm any how if planted too early they will seed out ..landtrac where are you?
...you've had more experience than I..I just planted them last year and have a bag to plant this year on new ground...they will last through several freezes before the bulbs start to rot and the leafs will get damage...thus why I put in turnips and then walked over with the rye...It allowed me much easier time discing for the power plant and that area even though the rains have been bad... drained 10x's fast than it ever did when in pasture...I'm sure I posted pics last year of when I planted it and the deer in it...

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WNYBuckHunter Experienced

WNYBuckHunter

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my brief experience in plotting has learned me one thing. Kill the shit out of everything first. roundup. rake/till, wait a week and repeat.

 

Yep, thats the plan once we get them all hogged out the way/shape we want them to be. I know that multiflora is a challenge to get rid of.

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landtracdeerhunter Experienced

landtracdeerhunter

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I was going to suggest maybe plow down some of the debris. By your description, you're have a certain degree of plow plugging, but just try it with one spot. May work better then u think. I've plow down ( using 2- 14" )some pretty nasty stuff, and the outcome was good for late summer planting, considering. The coulters of the plow give the most trouble.

 

And yes, LOL, I would definely get Radish planted, somewhere on that property. Their like a deer magnet, pulling power right into late winter. I'm sold on them. Planted about 50 lb. at 8 lb. / acre. Would be ideal to break the ground up. We were seeing deer right through into muzzleloading season.

 

Working on posting pics for u.

Edited by landtracdeerhunter
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WNYBuckHunter Experienced

WNYBuckHunter

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Awesome. You guys (and gal) rock. We dont have access to a small enough plow to get in there with. We are in the market for a 3 point tiller right now though. We do have someone that will be bringing a tiller in for 3 of our plots that have been around for a while. I would think a tiller would get beat to death in these spots at this point though.

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Pav2704 Rookie

Pav2704

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There we go! I figured youd bring some first hand knowledge in here grow! Should we plant the radishes soon or wait? How quick do they generally grow? Will they help us during the season, or will they be more of a late/after season draw?

I planted radishes last year and the deer loved them. My only regret was that I was only able to plant a quarter acre. The plot came in great and it looked like a lawn mower hit it by november1st. Deer did continue to pull the radishes out like grow said. By march it was bare dirt so I frost seeded clover. I'm definately new to food plots as well but I would definately reccomend the radishes!

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WesternNY Newbie

WesternNY

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You could always borrow my 2 bottom 3pt plow.  As long as it is scrub brush like you describe.

You should be able to plant whatever you want this year when it comes to fall planted annuals or fall planted clover. 

 

Tillers are great if your soil is not rocky... I could never use one on my farm.  They are a bit slower than traditional plow and disc, but make the best seed bed.

 

Fall Planting starts in July to Sept 1 depending on the crop.  I dont know your specifics in regards to the property and its use... just consider your time and energy and the future possibility of not being able to use the property.   The soils where you are generally very good.

 

I would plant things that are not around you and would offer something different.  Clover is very good, even if the farmer has some, the location of secluded plots will draw deer. A clover chicory plot is really really good.  You want a good firm seed bed and seed on top, roll after seeding if you can.  Clover chicory is easy to grow if you have great soil contact and rain after planting.

 

Ground Hog Radishes are awesome at breaking up hard pan, but I bet you dont have hard pan.

 

Oats, Winter Rye,  Winter Wheat are good choices...

 

Buckwheat is cheap, easy to grow and is great for the soil if you can incorporate into the soil while it is green.

 

Fresh turned over sod is full of nutrients and you will be amazed at the growth this year.   Give me a buzz if you need more help.

 

 

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WNYBuckHunter Experienced

WNYBuckHunter

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Mike, when do you want to come out and take a peek with me? I havent had a chance to show you around yet anyhow. Im not worried about permission for this place falling through. The guy I am doing this with has been hunting the place for over 30 years, and the property owners love me. Id really have to screw the pooch to get the boot.

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