I bought a new 20 acre parcel in northern WI last fall. First thing I did, was test the soil (it is a sandy loam). The pH was 5.9, P was adequate, K low. I applied 2 tons/acre pel-lime (I only improved 1/2 acre), and 200 lbs potash. Since the ground is sandy, I also applied epsom salt (Mg and S), and Zinc Sulfate (Zn and S) to the corn/sweet corn. Next year, I plan to fertilize the fruit trees and garden with calcium nitrate (I have low soil Ca as well).
Next came the spraying to kill the perennial weeds. Here is a picture of me hand spraying the old field with a glyphosate/2,4-d mix.
Fall is the best time to kill perennial weeds, and the field was brown this spring. The realtor that sold me the place lives down the road about 1 mile. He plowed and disked the field for me this spring, working my lime and fertilizer into the soil. Then we started the garden, and planted 12 fruit trees in mid-April after some finishing ATV drag work.
About the same time, I planted a wildflower mix, ladino clover, and some northern sweet spot (I wanted to try out the high sugar rye grass). I do not like the turnips in the mix, but they are tasty (for us, not the deer this time of year). Here is the northern sweet spot in July (the neighbor cut the field for hay 2 weeks ago, but I didn't get to tell him to cut the sweet spot & clover).
Yes, my clover is weedy, but next year I will hit it with Poast in May. The neighbor will also mow it for me in August.
Northern WI has been in a drought the last 5 years. This year, we have been blessed with 7 inches of rain in June, and 8 inches so far in July. The fruit trees, clover, garden, and wildflowers are all doing great!
Next year, I will frost seed more clover into the unworked part of the field, and I will make another small food plot by the road. You do not need a lot of acres to attract wildlife. This guy was dumped just 10 yards from where we always park (sorry for the blurry pic).
Do deer repellents work? Not really, but this guy sure was interested. He came 5 minutes after I sprayed it, sat there 20 ft off the road for 3-4 minutes, and watched me pound t-posts. Maybe he is the active ingredient?
I planted the corn and soybeans in mid-May, and they are doing great as well.
Growing things can be a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. The flowers, fruit trees, and garden is also away to get the Mrs to help out.
After all the work we put into this, I was happy to see this guy by the salt lick at the new deer stand I built in April.
This fall, I will plant turnips into the garden, peas and oats into the half of the corn/soybeans, and winter rye into the other half of the corn/soybeans. I will be trying to find the favorite winter food supply for the deer in this area.
I wish each of you plenty of rain, success, and lots of good times with your own projects.