First time food plots

[land 1]

Well putting my first food plots ever, the clover got planted yesterday... A few lessons learned 1st a tow behind atv  harrow plow is  ok after the ground is broken up not good for breaking up an over grown weed field, ended up using an old ancient drag found in the woods. Second spray and spray the weeds it really helped. Starting out small is better then trying to go big... got two more fall plots going in later in the year. Didnt have time to soil test and fertilize/ lime so  my hopes are not high but just getting the dirt turned over and weeds clear was my main goal this year. so im on track 

[Adkhunter1590]

Prepare for more spraying. Everything you turned up now will be a weed garden in a month or two. I hit new plots hard as hell with gly at least 2-3 times a summer to knock the weeds and native grasses back. Last year wasn't so bad because of the drought so my plots were nice and clear after a second spraying. But with a year with a lot of rain like we've had so far, everything is gonna grow like crazy.
But welcome to the world of food plotting. It's an addictive hobby but it's all worth it come hunting season and you are sitting over a beautiful food plot that you grew.

[growalot]

fertilizer isn't of great importance the first year but lime probably is and if you have no time or desire for a soil sample then grab soil soil and take a good whiff...an acid soil will have an acidic smell to it...sorta tingle the nose..lime lime lime. A OK soil will have a sweeter smell...Now wide ranges in that and it takes time and experience to know just how to close you are the are. Thing for a quick assessment  at home test:

https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-test-soil-acidity-alkalinity-without-a-test-kit-1388584

[land 1]

I'm sure weeds will be an issue for several years to come, my goal is to keep spraying  the places i havent plowed up yet  every few weeks then turn it over in the first week of july spray it a few weeks after that then plant for fall plot. As far as the clover spot thats planted its about 90yrds long 30 yrds wide so  a lil hand weeding and if it gets over run spray it off and plant something else in august.... trial and error i guess... On a side note the area i clear cut this winter is really doing well the deer loved the buds from the maples etc during winter and the new growth has started to come up. 

[NYBowhunter]

I never spray my plots as i dont want pesticides on my land (thats just me). I mow my plots once they exceed 6 inches or more which helps the white clover compete with native grasses. Thats just my natural approach that works for me. However to be successful and as stated by others it helps to test your soil and add the recommended lime/fertilizer based upon the test results and type of plantings. 

[sailinghudson25]

My favorite implement is that ancient drag.  It doesn't make a mess of rocks come up.

Mix wheat in with that clover.  I'd put 50lbs of wheat, 4lbs red clover, 4lbs ladino clover around labor day.  Then in febuary spread 3lbs of ladino ontop.  I'll add 3 bags of 6-24-24 per acre in febuary if the snow isn't high, or wait until the ground is bare.  Then around labor day to do another 3 bags the next year.  I stopped waiting for perfect conditions to frost seed the clover, I just do it in febuary if I can walk through the snow.

I'd put a dozen bags lime and 3 to 4 bags of fertilizer.  Add most of the lime now.  I'd save 2 bags of pelleted lime to mix in with the clover to make a more even spread.    I usually look at the lime bags and save the bags with the finest granular for spreading with clover.

I also add borax to the lime or fertilizer. Clover and turnips love boron.  2 4lb boxes per acre.  And then 1 4lb box per acre every year after.  Best to spray it then trying to mix it in with the lime.

 

In the catskills, it's almost impossible to find high ph soil.  So I add some lime every time I fertilize.  Usually 2 bags pelleted lime to every bag of fertilizer spread.

Edited May 26, 2017 by sailinghudson25

[growalot]

It's always good to have a bit more comprehensive few when discussing some things...

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/boron-on-plants.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_deficiency_(plant_disorder)

http://www.smart-fertilizer.com/articles/boron

[land 1]

well checked the clover plot today and the clover is just starting to pop up looks good for now. no weeds seem to be coming back either kinda surprised but hay im not complaining appears the spray did its job..

[growalot]

My new ones coming in very nicely ,though I do have a bunch of weeds all one species...right now it's acting as a cover crop for the clovers...and it is an annual that grows 2ft and then flowers...so I will allow it to grow then weed wack it down above the clover just before it can set it's blooms.mid summer.... perhaps that will save the clover from the dang crows that are stripping the plot daily...good thing I knew to over seed...though I was expecting the turkeys to do this.

[land 1]

well made to the land today the clover really hasnt grown lots of little stuff maybe 1/4 inch and its green and looks healthy just not growing up, some weeds not sure what they are but only half the plot has them... burned off the the other two plots of dead weeds from spraying and turned over one of them.... fire is a great tool made turning the dirt over alot easier...lots of tracks in the clover plot but cant imagine the deer nipping all of it off just seems slow to take off,,,, maybe lack of liming and fertilizer...

[land 1]

also the area i cut in the winter has beds and lots of tracks in it and alot of native browse seems to be doing well plan on doing more this winter when the deer hit the buds from the down trees hard... wild apples also seem to have a good crop

[sailinghudson25]

Deer are browsers....

I add a bit of ash and some fertilizers to the shrubs on my 3 acre plot.  I also plant browse.   NYSDEC spring plant sale.......   Red dogwoods,praire willow, arborvitae some white spruces for quick privacy.

Just got the place........ didn't put a plot in yet......... no problems.     The legal bait, cut some maple trees.  They love those buds during muzzleloader week.  I do all my tree felling in the winter to help the deer out.    Good place to find sheds too.   The bucks squeeze their head in there to get all the buds htey can get.  Then they leave an antler or two... 

[Adkhunter1590]

Clover is usually a slow grower. The second year it grows the best. My clover/chicory plot from last year took a beating from last summers drought and this springs flooding, but what did survive has come in thick and tall as hell. Its a small circle plot that I'm planning on weed whacking to mow it down a bit as there are a few weeds poking through.

The clover and chicory I frost seeded this early spring has come in very nicely. I'm a bit surprised at how much it's growing. I actually mowed it 2 weeks ago to cut down the weeds that started to get a bit out of control. Seems to have done the trick as the clover and chicory have hit a growth spurt and thickened up. I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow.

[tuckersdaddy]

I never spray my plots as i dont want pesticides on my land (thats just me). I mow my plots once they exceed 6 inches or more which helps the white clover compete with native grasses. Thats just my natural approach that works for me. However to be successful and as stated by others it helps to test your soil and add the recommended lime/fertilizer based upon the test results and type of plantings. 

Great approch! Getting the pH up will help push out some weeds, mowing before current weeds go to seed will help in the long run.

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[tuckersdaddy]

well made to the land today the clover really hasnt grown lots of little stuff maybe 1/4 inch and its green and looks healthy just not growing up, some weeds not sure what they are but only half the plot has them... burned off the the other two plots of dead weeds from spraying and turned over one of them.... fire is a great tool made turning the dirt over alot easier...lots of tracks in the clover plot but cant imagine the deer nipping all of it off just seems slow to take off,,,, maybe lack of liming and fertilizer...

An easy way of checking over browse is to put a wire box in the middle of the plot... about 2 to 3 ft square. if the box grows and the rest of the plot is thin its a browes issue. if nothing is strong may be a soil/moisture issue.

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[growalot]

Don't worry about the growth right now...perennial clovers take the first year to really set roots then explode the second...Also if your temps have been warmer than ours and you have shade over the plot that will keep growth slow at first...This is a pretty shaded area...first time soil worked and no fertilizer used but limed...high acid soils and the growth is pretty good considering the activity here. crows,turkey,raccoons,fox,rabbits and deer visit it daily..I left a few young maple in it fern wild berries so I think they come in to check progress...and eat some...plus bug for I also left a few big rotting logs in it.

      if yours looks like this your doing fine..if it looks better your doing great!

[thphtm]

What might be weeds to you, Might be food for the animals, never sprayed weed killer and no problem wit animals comming arount to brouse.

[sailinghudson25]

In august you can add maybe 40lb lbs per acre of oats or wheat to the existing plot with some fertilizer.

Just spread, then, mow, then roll it in.

Far as straight clover. I would of did red and ladino.  The red is a fast growing annual.

[land 1]

so as i posted before i didnt get a soil sample this year, my bad. My question is could it hurt anything to put lime down without the test. I was going to put it in the plot that I turned over last week and plan on putting big and beasty in a month or so. Also I dont have a spreader so i was going to put it down in small piles and then use the harrow disc to spread the best i could. its a just shy of a 1/2 acre area was going to start with 300lbs

[corydd7]

6 hours ago, land 1 said:

so as i posted before i didnt get a soil sample this year, my bad. My question is could it hurt anything to put lime down without the test. I was going to put it in the plot that I turned over last week and plan on putting big and beasty in a month or so. Also I dont have a spreader so i was going to put it down in small piles and then use the harrow disc to spread the best i could. its a just shy of a 1/2 acre area was going to start with 300lbs

You can make it too alkaline but in N.Y. that wouldn't be the case. Also 300 lbs isn't much at all and it takes about six months to really add value to the soil. Fertilizer would be really important this year.

 

Lowe's had 40 lbs ag lime for $3 a month ago. 20 bags of that should effect soil a half to full ph point according to my soil sample.

[land 1]

Thanks yeah I know won't do much for awhile but I figure I'll do a lil at a time i  can only bring it in via atv. and plan on some fertilizer when I plant

[Adkhunter1590]

Lime is good anytime. Ya it takes awhile to work in, but you have to start sometime. Get it down as soon as you can and as much as you can. I do the same thing, I usually grab 10 bags or so at a time and spread it out. Whenever I get time again, I grab some more bags. I'm lucky to have decent soil so I haven't needed much lime at all. But that's really rare in most of NY.

[land 1]

well the clover is looking a lil better as far as growth goes,,,, Also i noticed the apple trees re loaded this year!!

[growalot]

Thats good, mine is as well. Hope you having better luck with weeds, then I. The new woodland  plot's not bad. The new hay .ay be a loss...the 2yr. old clover just got disced with the paddock plot today. I'm not sure what or when I'll plant that. Rains do so I'll see how weed seed takes then work it again with the drag before planting.Sprayed part oof the lower fields today. Got some perennials in a disced area ,thistle,nightshade and dandelions. Give them a few days then drag that up a couple of times before planting clovers with a cover...may go with alfalfa there as a well..

[land 1]

well the clover isn't really growing up but is getting thicker so i guess thats good, put some fertilizer down see what that does. Need some dry weather my other two areas that are turned over and has the weeds killed are just all mud and cant do anything with them right now,