second year with plot
 

ok guys here we go first off i have property 20acreas in mid michigan mostly all wooded with acorn trees. last year i planted a small food plot in a clearing, i mixed winter rye,oats and a clover blend from tocomate i planted this in early september and had success with it. This year i was planning on doubling the size of the plot and incorporating another small plot in a different area. my first question is with the plot from last year what needs to be done? and should i just use the same seedblend for both plotsor something different. i only really hunt bow season. any info would be great i'm still learning here

RE: second year with plot
 

Did you soil test? If you had good results with the blend you tried last year then I would use it again. I had rather have one large (1 1/2 or so acre) plot than two small ones on a small parcel of land.

RE: second year with plot
 

yea my soil has a high ph, now is this blend only for fall applications? will my winter rye, oats, and clover blendgrow back this year or will i have to replant? i wanted to do 1.5-2 acres this year, not sure if i should add something differnt, just do the same like you said or maybe do 1 acrea with this blend and do the other acrea with another?????:eek:

RE: second year with plot
 

anybody have any suggestions for a newbie ?

RE: second year with plot
 

You will need to replant and refertilize. If something works in your area, why change? Some of the clover might come back, but in your area I'm not sure how much. I personally like Buck Forage Oats for a fall planting, but I'm not sure how it would do in your area...

RE: second year with plot
 

what about for spring and summer would it be wise to plant something during that timeor just wait until fall and plant then. i will have a couple corn feeders out and a mineral block to.

RE: second year with plot
 

bump

RE: second year with plot
 

Summer you can plant Iron Clay Peas, Lab Labor Soybeans if you want to. I don't have a lot of luck with summer plots as there is so much other food available. I do have some plots I have white clover in with fall oats. The clover is just getting high enough for heavy grazing, but the deer don't tear it up like I thought they would.

RE: second year with plot
 

Well you have an area known for big deer and rainfall.

My wild guess is that anything you plant that is protein rich and lush will attract deer.

When in doubt talk to a neighboring farmer for advice. Soil testing is a good idea for you. That way you will know what type of fertilizer to put down. I am guessing some type of clover would be a good idea.

Plant a few different things. Experiment.

I have tried Pheasant Forever's "Rooster Booster". I have planted barley. Corn. Last year oats and sunflowers. The main thing is plant something that will grow in your soil and growing zone.

Good luck.

RE: second year with plot
 

Your clover (do you know if the blend had white or red clover?) should survive, the oats (an annual) will be gone for all practical purposes. If the clover is still around, just mow the clover to a height of 6" a couple of times this summer. Not knowing your soil test,clover will usually benefit from an application oflow nitrogen fertilizer (0-10-10).

As far as expanding - experiment, that is half the fun. Since you only bowhunt, consider kieffer pears - a great draw for deer. Google to see if you have the proper soil, sun, moisture, hardiness zone, ripening time relative to your bowseason, etc...

-fsh