imperial no plow
 

anyone used this? How well did it do?

RE: imperial no plow
 

Some on the board have used it - I have not. Its my understanding that its an annual plot, and that the ground really does need to be exposed to bare soil for it to do real well. Also the intructions recommend that you lime considerably, and fertilize up to 300 lbs/acre for good results, then it does well for 1 year.

I'll contend that if you lime and fertilize an overgrown field, or native brush, this much, and do not plant a thing - your results will be similar. If your going to do the work required to get a good plot, I'd go for a perrenial food plot that will last a few years.

RE: imperial no plow
 

Late Sept. this year, I planted a 1/4 acre of Imperial next to a 1/4 acre of Biologic Full Draw. I disced, limed, and fertilized each plot exactly the same. The Biolgic grew and is still growing like crazy. The Imperial barely came up at all. What did come up was very small leafed plants. The Biologic plants are huge and look like a patch of lettuce. This was my first experience with both products.

RE: imperial no plow
 

sugarmtn - are the deer eating the biologic? Could be the Imperial No-Plow is getting browsed to the ground in favor of the biologic. Just curious if you've noticed.

RE: imperial no plow
 

I planted three test plots. No plow, Imperial clover, and Alfa Rack. I disked, limed, and fertilized. Was glad I only did the test plots, all three were failures. Not to say that I did everything right but I tried and was disappointed.
The three acres of Ladino clover and alfalfa are doing great in the same area as the test plots. I got the seed from the local grain elevator. Am really surprised and happy it is doing so well now. We had very little rain this summer. The deer are keeping it mowed right down.
I agree with Farmhunter. Go for something that will last. That buck on the bag is putting a buck in somebodies pocket. I have found out that if you want a good food plot you will have to work for it. <img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>

LIVE FREE OR DIE

RE: imperial no plow
 

We planted both Biologic & Imperial Whitetail beside eachother. About 3/4 acre per plot. (planted 8-23-02)Followed directions to a tee. After 2 1/2 weeks Biologic had grown like crazy, Imperial Whitetail had come up but not very high.A friend told us to put a wire cage in the middle of the clover for a couple of weeks to see what would happen. Biologic was still grownig, Imperial Whitetail had filled in better than the 2 1/2 weeks prior to. The caged in area was about 4&quot; tall. Bottom line was that the deer were eating the daylights out of the clover & really weren't bothering the Biologic.

RE: imperial no plow
 

farm hunter - Yes the deer are eating the Biologic like crazy. It keeps growing. I have 8 sq. feet fenced off in each plot, the Imperial and the Biologic. The Imperical has barely come up with little tiny plants. Not yet seen a deer standing in that plot. Right next to it, the Biologic has deer in it every evening and some mornings. The fenced areas tell the tale. The deer are mowing down the Biologic pretty good, but the fenced area has huge plants in it. The fenced area of the Imperial looks the same as the rest of the plot, tiny plants. It's nice and green but nothing like the Biologic. Also, the Biologic plants started sprouting 3 days after they were put in the ground. I watered both plots allot the first few days after planting and then some good rains came. I have been very impressed with the Full Draw and will plant much more of it next season.

On a side note, I tossed about two cups full of the Biologic behind one of my pond levees, no soil prep, just sprinkled 10-10-10 fert. on top - the ground is very hard and somewhat rocky back there - it has come up as well - nothing like the main plot, but it is growing pretty good. FYI

RE: imperial no plow
 

Interesting comments. Has anyone tried Nature's Own &quot;Grazin Trophy Buck Mixture&quot;? Curious how this stands up next to Bio Logic and Imperial Clover?

I'm putting together a habitat package for local NWTF members and want to include some seed. Any suggestions for the cold northeast?

. . . Rob

RE: imperial no plow
 

Did the people who planted the Imperial products do soil samples? Did you measure the area to be planted? What method did you use to prep the soil and plant?

Romans 10:9 Psalms 42

RE: imperial no plow
 

lunchbucket - yes, all of the above. I pretty much followed the directions to a tee, and I have a ph meter. Acidity level is just right. Fertilized per the suggestions on the Imperial bag. I burned off the existing grasses/vegetation (I don't like messing with chemicals), I disced the soil, disced in the fertilizer, broadcast the seed, pulled my homemade drag over it, and watered it for the first several days, then came the rain. Same procedure with the Biologic plot 10 feet away. Biologic came up great and is still growing even with mod./heavy grazing pressure. Imperial hasn't done much. I am located in NW Arkansas and I planted in late Sept. FYI

RE: imperial no plow
 

You disked and broadcast the seed. The directions say to cultipack befor and after planting the seed... What was the pH value? What type of drag do you have? How dddp did it push the seed?

Romans 10:9 Psalms 42

RE: imperial no plow
 

This Biologic sounds like it's pretty good stuff. Would any of you recomen it for even a small food plot?


Paul Ruhe J.R.

RE: imperial no plow
 

2 years ago we planted 1/2 acre Imperial & 1/2 acre bio-logic. The deer would actually walk through the bio-logic to get to the Imperial.
Just my 2 cents.

HUNT HARD

RE: imperial no plow
 

Biologic, Imperial, Pennington, and several other seed choices (local co-op seed for example) will only help. All are good, some are better than others, for the soil type, or climate. Testimonials are great, it gives you and IDEA of what might work, but do not count on the same product to work for you - especially a small plot.

Small plots (less than 1 acre) are little more than an attraction crop, and while deer may feed on the small plot, very little is done for their overall nutrition - since most of their feeding will still be done elsewhere. A good rule of thumb is that 1 acre of premium clover (or other high protein legume) can support 3 deer for one year.

Plots of 2-5 acres (planted correctly) really shine if you are looking to increase the nutrition of your deer herd.

If you just want to attract deer, clearcutting, or cereal grain plantings will probably do even better for you than a small plot of clover, etc.

RE: imperial no plow
 

Lawnfarmer - I'm surprised that your test plots &quot;failed&quot; - especially if you have a good ladino crop - which tends to be harder to grow. Was your test plots made in a completely different area (soil type/drainage) than the ladino????

Sean -

RE: imperial no plow
 

Farmhunter-- I tried to do it right. Had the soil sample. Put on the recommended fertilizer and lime per acre. The 3 test plots were side by side. Approx. 10x30 ft.. I disced, dragged, and culti-packed. The test plots didn't get much rain at all this summer but the Ladino clover, alfalfa mix didn't either. Just got to reply to your question . Been hunting the past 10 days. What do you think about discing in the 2ft.tall corn stalks I have and planting rye? I know it will grow. I would like to put in 6 or 8 rows of corn 1/4 of a mile long in the Spring. I'm happy with the clover but am still not very good at this stuff. I know you know corn. terry <img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>

LIVE FREE OR DIE

Edited by - lawnfarmer on 11/17/2002 22:36:47

RE: imperial no plow
 

Often times the ag products will appear to out do the more targeted products because of growth. The more targeted products are usually the more tempermental they are and may require a longer period under the same conditions to start performing. We do not see pH meters as accurate as lab findings. We suggest that if your ph is more than one point out of peremeters that you lime and wait until the next planting season, or spray with liquid lime. This gives the lime time to work in the soil. Use an annual the first season and replant with the perennial the following planting season.
SM, if the deer aren't hitting your clover taste it. If it is not sweet you need to add more lime. I would think that ph is a large factor in you clover planting.

Romans 10:9 Psalms 42