JohnnyLonghorns

I know it is getting late, but is it to late to plant a food plot? We have a lake that dried up this year and we weren't sure if it would flood. However, it is probably not going to take on water this year so we are considering planting a plot. Last year we planted millet around the waters edge for duck season in late August and had a fantastic crop. I was wondering if it is to late to plant turnips or clover this year that would benefit deer. This ground is located in the Illinois River bottoms and is approximately 200 yards from the river. Thoughts?

Illini_Sportsman

Well I know I've been researching small food plots for quite awhile now trying to get as much information as I can, and for the type of no-till seed I plan to use, it can be planted as late as mid-September, assuming you want to be ready for the archery opener and the seed you are wanting to plant germinates as quickly.

JohnnyLonghorns

Illini, what type of seed do you recommend? I have to assume you are limited to certain types of crops this late in the season.

Criggster

Both brassicas and clover still have plenty of growing time. If you want to do it right I suggest getting a soil test and go from there; otherwise, you are just guessing and hoping.

Illini_Sportsman

I'm going to be no-tilling a commercial seed blend from Whitetail Institute called Secret Spot. It contains several different types of seed, including clover, ryegrass, wheat, and rapeseed. I cannot tell you what to do because I've never done it before, but I can tell you that is what I'm going to attempt. There's a guy that told me he's going to plant this particular seed in 2 weeks and he'll let me know how it goes, so I can give you the updates on that.

RonM

Now is not the time to plant clover, but Aug 12 for turnips and rape and kale, bought my seed today...

JohnnyLonghorns

Plant turnips by Aug 12 or after Aug 12?

Criggster

I would like to point out that you should plant according to your area. There is a lot of difference in between one area and another. In VA the eastern part of the state has hardly any frost concerns, but the western mountains get frost by October.

So, with brassicas and clover you want at least 45 days of growth before the first frost. Ask a local farmer or the FSA office personnel what the historic first frost date is and subtract 45 days from that and you will probably be safe; however, Mother Nature can always throw us a curve. Good Luck!

Phade

I've had success in planting clover throughout summer, and I know several people who have done that as well. However, as RonM mentioned above, it is not ideal.

I wouldn't waste a second of thinking on clover as a perennial stand for your situation. That area could take on water, this year or next. A true Perennial clover seed (Whitetail Institute) is $20-$30 for a 1/4 acre, and is too much money to invest in an "iffy" location without soil samples.

Secret spot is okay, it is only 40% seed matter, as the remainder is inert.

My suggestion: Tecomate Ultra Forage Standside. Soil Sample would be great, let me set that first and foremost. However, without that here is what I would suggest (1/4 acre plot directions).

Go to Wal-Mart, and buy the Ortho 1-gallon tank sprayer for $9 and change. Buy the concentrated weed/grass killer (Round-up or the Wal-Mart house brand will work). Getenough concentrate for 10 gallons (house brand $7).

Buy a 30-50lb. bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer ($3-4), and one or two 40lb. bags ($4 each)of pelletized lime at Lowe's. The sprayer and concentrate is considerably cheaper at Wal-Mart than Lowe's, for your information.

Buy Tecomate's Ultra Forage Standside at Gander Mountain, Bass Pro, etc. It runs $10 for a 1/4 acre bag. Your total cost:$38 in materials.

The seed bag will tell you when to plant for fall. RIGHT NOW, I would go out to the plot area, and spray the round-up in the suggested mix ratio with water. Make sure to knick small saplings that need to go, and tougher brush, ie. scrape openings into them with a knife. Spray the area as suggested on the round-up. Spread out your lime now, or in between sprayings, generally acidic soil is common. This is where the educated guess comes in without soil samples. I'd blindly put a 40lb. bag over that 1/4 acre, but any other knowledge may tell you otherwise.

Exactly one week from RIGHT NOW, go back, hand rake, or use a leaf blower to move the leaves away. Pick up any sticks, but don't worry about big logs, just skip them. Then, re-apply the round-up (the one bottle of concentrate should handle the two applications). A second 40lb. bag of lime may be needed here at this time.

At reccommended planting date per seed bag, go out and re-rake the leaves so you have open soil. Any mixing of the soil will help (a hand tiller, etc.). If none is available,try to scar the land with the rake as best as possible. Set down the fertilizer first, then the seed. The key here as to the EXACT day you plant during the suggested planting date per the bag is the weather. Do it a day before a light, steady rain is expected. That'll drive down the seed matter naturally, and aid germination.

There in a nutshell, is the best you can do in a pinch without a soil sample.

RonM

Plant the turnips and rape after Aug 12th, I have planted after labor day and had success with them.