I'm getting ready to plant a couple of large fields for the hunting season. I have had good success with planting plain ol rye in the past---but was wondering if anyone has any advice concerning other vegetation. Oats. Buck blends, etc. I live in South Alabama.

Try clover or Biologic.

KEEP HUNTING THE GREAT OUTDOORS & GOD ALIVE, PASS IT ON!

Most foodplot info can be found under "forages" at your state university agricultural department. Alabama is ....

http://www.aces.edu/department/cotton/forage.html

For a fall/winter foodplot you can't go wrong with clovers(legumes) and brassicas(rape/turnips). Roundup the area several times to minimize weed competition, lime per a soil test, and use a low nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 8-20-28, that is high in phosphorus and potassium. Rape needs more nitrogen than the clovers.

Once learn what grows well in your area and what kind of soil it needs you can select/create your own seed mix. You can get seed mail order, or from local farm seed mills and save money over the expensive name brand deer seed mixes.

http://forages.orst.edu/main.cfm?PageID=190

Edited by - Sag...again on 09/26/2002 12:55:39

If you are planting to attract deer in hunting season, then
rye is a good choice. It also provides good cover for quail,pheasants and turkey after hatching in June. In the south, people often plant Crimson, or alcye clover with rye or oats. These are anual clovers that only last one year, and are not cold tolerant.

If you are looking to have a perenial crop that comes back every year, then consider, clover - ladino in your area is a good choice. However, if you cannot mow at least two times a year, the clover will end up getting crowded out in 2 years time. Clover also requires a decent Ph, and decent amounts of Phosphorus and Potassium, which can be applied at planting. It is important to do a soil test for clover, as it will not grow at all if the Ph is low, and will not grow well, if the P&K is low. Consider doing some research on the food plot forum of this board and the internet before planting a perenial legume.

Good luck

I hunt just up the road from you around Troy. We tried the Biologic in a test plot a couple of years ago and got very little response from the deer. Last year I planted about 1 1/4 acre of Buck Blend Oats and the deer liked them a bunch, but they ate them off at the ground just after they came up and by the first of Dec. all I had was a bunch of dirt. We have our best luck planting a mixture of rye, wheat and oats. If it works, why change?

I've hunted in Louisiana for years and now in South Carolina and both places we have alot of luck with rye grasses and clover.




"IF RUNNING DOGS AND USING CORN IS CHEATIN, WHY DON'T I KILL 20 DEER A YEAR."