I'm trying to start a new food plot this year to attract more deer all year round and especially throughout the winter. I'm thinking of about a three acre plot. Right know the area is just tall weeds and rye grass, surronded by an alfalfa feild on one side and more weed feilds around it with a woods thicket starting and one of the corners. during the summer crops are abundant in my area so it would have to be something that deer prefer and last thoughout the winter to hold them in the area. I've been looking at many different types and brands, I just dont know which one of them or mixes work well for what i want. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks
3 acres is a great size for a foodplot - It truly will make a difference - even with alfalfa nearby.
The first year we planted clover - the deer went nuts on it after Late August. It seemed that when the farmer neighbor did his last Alfalfa cutting (2nd cutting for usually) 20-30 acres - the deer moved off the brown fields - and hammered the clover. It held deer every night for 2 years in the fall. Then the farmer started using Alsike Clover to rotate with Corn - and the deer were not as hot for our clover - but still come by often enough.
Alfalfa is a great crop - and deer love it - but after a few frosts they tend to go for the more green plots like white clovers. Clover is also an easy plot to care for (mow) in the summer months. Having it around year round - really gets the deer used to using the property as a core area.
Rye, or Winter Wheat can be OK for fall hunting - but they offer nothing but bedding in the summer - and have to be planted each year.
When people are starting a food plot - I usually suggest Imperial Whitetail Clover - especially if I know they have decent soils already.
Probably the Biologic, and/or other big name products work ok too.
I like the IWC for a first timer's plot - beacause it has a really good "how to" video - and the plot usually does well.
Later - when you get better at it - then I suggest looking at the Co-op for options - Many people I know never do switch to something else.
*** If I know the soil is bad (Heavy Sod, overworked, heavy clay, old Pine Plantation, wet, etc) I usually tell them to adjust the soil Ph the first year - and plant an annual like Rye, or Oats, or Buckwheat. The First Year of working the soil in these situtations offers a good fall plot the first year - and goes a long way towards having a successful perenial clover plot come out ok the second year by adding organic matter to the soil, and pulling up nutrients with their deep root systems.
Thanks for all your help. I know that the soil has alot of clay. And it used to be a crop feild 10 years ago with corn being the last crop grown. but since then it has just been over grown with weeds. I havent done a soil test yet but am considering it. Would it be best to plant something that would bring the nutrients up first or could i just but done lime and fertilize it. thanks again
Do your soil test first. There almost no situations, other than extremely low pH, that could keep you from planting the imperial clover this spring. Another reason would be location. You wouldn't want to spring plant a perennial in the deep south.
If you do have a pH that's lower than 5.0, you may consider adding the lime and disking it in throughly now and planting in the fall. This will give the lime a few months to begin correcting the pH.
I had this occur on one field, when I soil tested again rechecked the pH, I had to add a little more lime. Now, I always add about 30-50% more lime than the test calls for. It seems to de-acidify quicker and last longer before it turns acidic again.
Good luck. By the way, I agree it's tough to beat the Imperial Clover. I've had good luck with the Imperial Extreme in my drier fields.
Have the soil tested but chances are you will need alot of lime.Now is a great time to lime as it will have time to work before spring planting.If you lime it now with 10 ton / 3per acre then plow the sod under and fit the field and lime & fertilize it again and plant some wheat to keep the weeds down .Then plant I.W.T. clover for a fall planting you will be amazed at the deer you will draw.Lime and fertilize again next spring and you should get 3 years from a planting.Use a fertilizer with no nitrogin as 0-40-14.Its the best money you will ever spend.
Good luck
you can effectively kill/plow/disk the existing sod. Planting on heavy sod is tough the first year because the weed root systems can be extinsive. - and even with 1/2 way good tilling - have a tendency to try to re-establish. Rye and or Buckwheat can inhibit this growth - and help eliminate it for year 2.
If you get it tilled good, or use roundup - then work the soil - you have a good chance with a Spring planted clover. But - it has to be planted early to take advantage of the cool weather.
starting a food plot
