Pilot,

The long skinny strips are great for clover, but not for corn. My experience with this type of planting for corn has not been good for several reasons - The plot is overused by deer - especially when up against cover - when its young, and few stalks make it to maturity. The next problem is that, cross-pollenation is poor for corn in this kind of planting - and ear production will be spotty.

Corn is best planted in blocks of at least 2 acres, it doesn't have to be perfectly square, but it should be a block. You can Plant a block, and then an 8 row strip along the edge if you like - but the block of corn will be the attractant - for cover and food.

Also corn about by the bag (80,000 kernals) costs $40.00-$75.00 depending on the type - and will plant about 3 acres - so you have to buy the corn anyhow.

Personally I'd plant a strip of clover along the edge, about 30-40 yds wide. I'd plant 2 blocks of corn - and maybe connect them with a strip of 8 rows with clover between the corn & the woods. This way - deer will use the clover in the strip in the day, and as a secluded feeding area - because of the corn cover - you'll also find the deer will bed in the corn. Locate the corn, where deer like to access the field (maybe a low spot - or near a heavy thicket).

Next - I would still plant at least a 2-3 acre plot of clover or beans - but out away from the edge - this is for night time use - and will supply the deer with the bulk of their nutrition. It will also keep the deer off your corn until it matures.

The soil test should indicate what nutrients are needed- to grow corn again - Likely you will need to lay down some additional Nitrogen 1/2 way through growth (this is where the soil test pays for itself) - how much depends on the soil test - But yes usually you can follow corn with corn for at least two or three years with Nitrogen supplements (or very good soil).

One other note - if you have no reason to keep the 23 are field (resale, future farming, etc) I would block the field up, with pine,brush, and hardwood plantings - in an irregular fashion that would leave 2-3 are plot exactly where I wanted them, and/or the soil was best.

I hope this helps a little - its a little hard to come up with "general" statements - without actually seeing the layout of the property.




Edited by - farm hunter on 01/21/2003 21:45:39