Otto's Food Plots 2018

[Otto]

This is my first attempt at a food plot. I know I am about 2 weeks off the schedule, but that's how it is. Sprayed with roundup last week. Looks like it has done its job!

I will scrape off the dead grass next week and then disk it up, drag it and then seed it with red clover. I may throw in a bag of food plot mix I found in the barn. I think I bought it last year.

 

 

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[G-Man]

its still planting time but if you want an active plot this year add a cerial grain or brassica to clover seed.. clover is slow growing and will take 2 years to fill in and grow like it should. 

if you scrape of grass you can skip the disking for clover and brassica. just roll after seeding . the disturbance by removing grass will be more than enough 

Edited August 9, 2018 by G-Man

[Otto]

Thanks GMan, I wasn’t sure what to plant and several people have told me red clover was a good start.  I’ll look into the cereal and brassicas.  I am looking for a plot for this year. 

[WNYBuckHunter]

I wouldnt Bother scraping the grass, I would plow and disc or just disc the snot out of it. The thatch from the grass will help hold moisture. You’ll need weight on the disc depending on its size. 

[Otto]

It’s a 6’ disk and I’ve got some weight I can put on it. I’ll give that a try.

[corydd7]

1 hour ago, G-Man said:

its still planting time but if you want an active plot this year add a cerial grain or brassica to clover seed.. clover is slow growing and will take 2 years to fill in and grow like it should. 

if you scrape of grass you can skip the disking for clover and brassica. just roll after seeding . the disturbance by removing grass will be more than enough 

I couldn't agree more, other posters including myself had luck with rye and wheat with clover and it grows very easily.

[LetEmGrow]

Personally, I don't know what you mean by "2 weeks off schedule".  For brassicas, perhaps but brass will do just fine a little later.

Clover?  You are actually about 3 weeks early in my opinion.  If brassicas were your main goal then I would still plant it.

If clover or grain is your goal then I think you are still 3 weeks early.  Labor day is the time for clover grain.

But good damn job on the spray.  If it looks like that after one week then I need to start using what you are using 

[G-Man]

40 minutes ago, LetEmGrow said:

Personally, I don't know what you mean by "2 weeks off schedule".  For brassicas, perhaps but brass will do just fine a little later.

Clover?  You are actually about 3 weeks early in my opinion.  If brassicas were your main goal then I would still plant it.

If clover or grain is your goal then I think you are still 3 weeks early.  Labor day is the time for clover grain.

But good damn job on the spray.  If it looks like that after one week then I need to start using what you are using 

end of august/sept is to late to plant here can have frost by 15th and usually do. 2nd weekend of august is cutoff for me

[G-Man]

22 minutes ago, Bill Schmidt said:

Nice piece of Land!   If, I ever win the Lottery...

doesnt take the lottery bill. 11 acres and 3 bed 2 bath house for sale by me 60k. 

[LET EM GROW]

I would definitely add brassica/bulb with your clover seed. Or a cereal grain if you wont be planting for a few weeks. You'll need it as a nurse crop for a good clover stand next spring. IF it were me I would spread brassica seeds with your clovers asap and lawn roll/pack it in, or just let the rain do its work. These are tiny seeds. they dont need to be under the soil to germinate. If you can roll or pack this seed it will germinate without rain, as long as some moisture is in the soil.. You can broadcast before rain and rain will bury your seed here for you. as long as it isn't a torrential downpour that washes your seed away. That is a perfect plot setup for how i plant all of my plots. no disking/tilling.

I didnt take pics but towards the end of July, I sprayed all my plots. Spread seed a few days later and I Let the rain do its job. 2 weeks later i have a beautuful growing brassica plot. 

Last week i even sprayed my back yard at camp and spread a huge blend of legumes, grains and brassicas and rolled them in the very same day while green still. I now have everything popping up great as the lawn dies out.. 

[landtracdeerhunter]

Good luck with your plot. Wish you all the success.

 

[Otto]

Thanks for the pointers and suggestions.  I’m glad I’m not running too late.  I’m gone all next week on a Quebec fishing trip, so the next steps won’t happpen until I get back.  I should be okay having it all in by Labor Day.  

I am definitly going to look into the seed suggestions here.  There is a good Farm Supply not too far that has most of those items in bulk, so I can get whatever mixture and quantity I need.  I really should test the soil and see what it needs before I do that too. 

I have a 25 gal tank sprayer on the back of my ATV.  I used generic 41% Roundup at 2.5 oz per galllon (per instructions on label) and I added spreader sticker to it too.   I was surprised how brown it was after only a week too!  

[turkeyfeathers]

10 hours ago, Otto said:

It’s a 6’ disk and I’ve got some weight I can put on it. I’ll give that a try.

Looking good.  As far as weight : I weigh 200 and will sit back there with a case of beer as you disc for the added weight 

[LET EM GROW]

just for reference. Plot was mowed down then sprayed once it got green again.. seeded then rolled with lawn roller. that is all

[Otto]

7 hours ago, turkeyfeathers said:

Looking good.  As far as weight : I weigh 200 and will sit back there with a case of beer as you disc for the added weight 

I’m 250, so you drive and I’ll ride.  Tractor has a cup holder.

[Otto]

3 hours ago, LET EM GROW said:

just for reference. Plot was mowed down then sprayed once it got green again.. seeded then rolled with lawn roller. that is all

I’d be happy with that!  Don’t have a lawn roller, but can plant in advance of predicted rainfall. 

[LET EM GROW]

The pic was from the thinner side of the plot that summer, but still worked great. A Lawn roller is a good investment even if you do disk.. small seed like clovers and brassicas you really dont want deeper than an 1/8" .. Find cheap ones on craigslist.. or a buddies. I picked up a poly roller.. works good. Would rather find a bigger steel roller someday. 

 

[Otto]

Step 2 completed. As suggested, I disked the snot out of it and it came out pretty good. One plot was a little wetter, but not bad.
I have 50 lbs of winter rye for the larger plot and a bag of throw and grow for the smaller one. I plan to add red clover in with the rye, just not sure on the timing of planting. No rain in the forecast except showers in a couple of days. Suggestions welcome.

Small plot about 150 x 40


Larger plot about 400 x 60




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[land 1]

if the ground is already moist u wont need much rain just keep an eye on the forecast

[LET EM GROW]

What land said.. pack/roll it and it will gemrinate without rain. 

[Otto]

Step 3 completed tonight in advance of some rain.  Ground is not dry so I should be good either way. 

I borrowed a drag harrow from my cousin and went over both plots with the times down to smooth it out and break up some of the clumps and root balls.  It helped a lot.  Then I seeded the smaller plot with throw and grow and ran over it with the harrow upside down (tines up) - which hid the seed, but didn’t bury it too deep.  I don’t have a roller at my disposal, but this worked well.   

On the larger plot I seeded with rye and again dragged with the harrow tines up.  Instead of the red clover, my cousin surprised me with 5# of chicory, so I used that in place of the clover.  

I think I will still have time to start on another plot in a different area within the next 2 weeks.  I still need to check on my tree stands, move a couple and maybe set up a ground blind in advance of archery season.  

Sorry no pics,  too much to do in too short a time.  I’ll take some when I see spouts.  

[WNYBuckHunter]

Sounds like you did it right. Can’t wait to see the groceries growing in them. 

[Otto]

Lots of good advice here, and I do appreciate it.  

[Otto]

This plot was planted 2 weeks ago with winter rye and chicory. I wish it would rain.



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[Otto]

Progress report on my 2 food plots. First one is the winter rye mixed with chicory. Second one is a bag of Throw and Grow.



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