So what have you learned about foot plots?
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 168
So what have you learned about foot plots?
Hope you guys and girls are doing well.
I was just wondering what important lessons have been learned with your food plots. Mine are as follows.
1. Always do a soil test just like recommended by the pros.
2. Learned to take my time and not try to do it all in one day.Example,spray for weeds...wait then till the ground and pack and seed.
So whats the most valuable lessons for all of you wether its equipment or products?
I was just wondering what important lessons have been learned with your food plots. Mine are as follows.
1. Always do a soil test just like recommended by the pros.
2. Learned to take my time and not try to do it all in one day.Example,spray for weeds...wait then till the ground and pack and seed.
So whats the most valuable lessons for all of you wether its equipment or products?
#2
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NorthEast Arkansas river bottoms
Posts: 422
RE: So what have you learned about foot plots?
1. It's hard to overlime poor soil, like whats found here- Lime, Lime, and more lime.
2. Learn what your local deer prefer, just because someone else has great success out of a particular crop, don't assume that all deer will "tear it up".
2. Learn what your local deer prefer, just because someone else has great success out of a particular crop, don't assume that all deer will "tear it up".
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
RE: So what have you learned about foot plots?
Wait till you have sufficient moisture to plant, even if it is a couple of weeks later than you want to plant.
Don't get carried away by the commericals you see.
Lime, 6 or months ahead of planting.
Cut up your plots a week or two before you plant.
Put some ammonia nitrateout about 7 weeks after planting.
Don't hunt the plot unless the wind is right.
A seed drill will save money.
Don't get carried away by the commericals you see.
Lime, 6 or months ahead of planting.
Cut up your plots a week or two before you plant.
Put some ammonia nitrateout about 7 weeks after planting.
Don't hunt the plot unless the wind is right.
A seed drill will save money.
#4
RE: So what have you learned about foot plots?
Lime, lime, and more lime
Roundup once a month all summer in the worst weed patches. Those places will get winter plots.
Chicken litter is incredible fertilizer
Rain,no need to plantwithout it.
Grandaddy's antique Planet Jr. doesn't waste a seed, plants a path,shooting lane, or a plot, and gives one heck of a workout pushing it. No wonder he was fit in his 90's!
Of all the expensive seed I've tried, soybeans during the summer and oats during the winter work best here.
Roundup once a month all summer in the worst weed patches. Those places will get winter plots.
Chicken litter is incredible fertilizer
Rain,no need to plantwithout it.
Grandaddy's antique Planet Jr. doesn't waste a seed, plants a path,shooting lane, or a plot, and gives one heck of a workout pushing it. No wonder he was fit in his 90's!
Of all the expensive seed I've tried, soybeans during the summer and oats during the winter work best here.
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: NorthEast Arkansas river bottoms
Posts: 422
RE: So what have you learned about foot plots?
I second the chicken litter, and its cheap (or free).
And let me add 1 thing-
look at where your weeds are the stongest and thickest, there is a reason for that. That soil has more nutrients than soil that is more baren. Plant that area and you'll likely need very little soil building.
And a second- you can make a very nice plot with hand tools and hardwork, you dont have to have implements, its just easier that way.
And let me add 1 thing-
look at where your weeds are the stongest and thickest, there is a reason for that. That soil has more nutrients than soil that is more baren. Plant that area and you'll likely need very little soil building.
And a second- you can make a very nice plot with hand tools and hardwork, you dont have to have implements, its just easier that way.
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Onamia,MN.
Posts: 1,375
RE: So what have you learned about foot plots?
I like anything that will keep coming back on it's own--then the thing that helps maintain them the most is mowing(timed just before a good rain)and adding a little to them(light overseeding)in the spring and/or fall.Waitng for clover to grow to seed THEN mowing,helps re-seed the clover and gives it a much better tasting and thicker forage.jmo.
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location:
Posts: 1,438
RE: So what have you learned about foot plots?
Other than lessons about the weather,
I've learned that clover is a hard to beat perennial. Even when everything else fails and dies,
if you have a good clover bed, deer will be in there. Most of my plots have at least some
clover in them. Trying chicken litter this year. Cheaper and easier than 10-10-10.
I've learned that clover is a hard to beat perennial. Even when everything else fails and dies,
if you have a good clover bed, deer will be in there. Most of my plots have at least some
clover in them. Trying chicken litter this year. Cheaper and easier than 10-10-10.