New plantings and food plots

[The Engineer]

I am sure I am not alone but I am sick of this snowy cold crap. It has put me a month behind and still going.

On the Island yesterday it snowed again which put me a month behind to do my honey do list before I can get up to Grand Gorge and do what I want to do. It still has 2' of snow last I checked 2 weeks ago so now is the time do home work.

Any way I have hill side field ready for seed. I haven't decided what to plant yet, straight clover a mix someone give me an idea on that. The field is close to the house maybe a 100' away. So I am looking for easy care. The grade is to tough for lawn tractor but my sickle mower or walk behind going up and down would fine. The hillside is about 100' up and down by 200' side to side. it faces east so it gets good sun all day. Looking to help all the animals deer, turkeys, etc just to keep them in my area.

Also I making a field in the middle of the woods. Most trees are gone just a few 6" or less stalks and under brush. I was going to make another food plot there and start planting some evergreens around it. I wanted to make a good wood break refuge for the deer and turkeys. I was going to plant Leyland cypress. I can get them for $15 for 3' to 4'. They grow fast here on Long Island so I am thinking in 5 years they will hit close to 20' tall and almost 20' wide with good limbs.

The area where they will be planted is in USDA zone 5 at 2000' elevation again facing east good sun all day and good water. I was wondering if anyone had experience with them in the mountains?  

When the weather gets better I will be up there taking pictures and make some maps of the layout and ask for more help.

Thanks,

[growalot]

test...Ok so it sounds fairly steep...clover needs moisture...usually steep hill side are problematic in this regard. Not knowing soil tilth,and pH it is difficult to advise..but if you have a good pH 6.5-7.5 Alfalfa would be a good go to...perhaps a alfalfa clover mix.

Edited March 29, 2015 by growalot

[The Engineer]

Thanks GrowAlot, I was hoping you would respond. I am hoping in the next few weeks I can test the soil after the snow disappears. Does alpha grow high? reason I ask the I don't want to block the view of the pond I put in last year. Any luck on the cypress. You think it will grow well upstate? I am in zone 5 at 2000' elevation.

Thanks,

[growalot]

Just remember you need to see how the sun travels through the seasons on your land to decide where to plant those trees in comparison to the layout of your future plot plantings...also here is a link you may want to look at..

http://www.leylandcypress.org/DeerResistantTree.html

 

I'm 1900ft and my neighbor has cypress lining their pond as a wind break..they have not been eaten but they leave their dogs to run year around The farmers here plant alfalfa, a mix can help retain some moisture to maintain clover...though all I can do is guess at this point.

Edited March 29, 2015 by growalot