kicker30

Hey, Im new to the forum and had some questions about what yall thought would be good for food plot where I hunt. I am located in central North Carolina, just outside of Winston-Salem. I am wanting to plant something that is a fairly low maintenance, low cost plot since I am working off of a college student budget and have limited time at home to work on the plots. There are about 7 acres total of fields around where I hunt and I thought for now I would probably only plant just a couple acres of them til I can figure out what works and what doesnt. I also would like to have something that comes back year after year. I would really like to use something that only requires one planting, not multiple a year. I am open to any suggestions though.

pikecofoodplotter

Good luck finding that magic bean. The only thing I would suggest is a clover, chicory mix. Take your samples, lime and fetilize as needed, and they will need to be mowed a couple of times a year. Don't forget to fertilize before the season starts.

hossdaniels

If you dont have the equipment(atleast a 35hp tractor, harrow, and a spreader), a pile of corn works good for hunting season. There is not a way I know of to get started on the cheap. Can you borrow the equipment from someone?

Wait, what about honeysuckle's around the borders and apple tree's, persimmon, or honey locust, even white oaks if you are patient? You can probably get a decent stand of clover pretty easy with a rake and arainy start(hard to come by in NC). IMO if you want easy and cheap you had better work with what the good lord wants there(native browse).

kicker30

equipment is no problem (55hp Long with most any attachment needed along with other tractors) I was just meaning I am working on a college student budget in reguards to seed and fertilizer cost

hossdaniels

Oh hell than its easy. Half soybeans, half corn, half clover, half wheat or rye.

The clover is the only perennial, and that is with a decent year(lost 90+% of mine this year after 6 years). Other than that you are back to woody stuff.

Another thing lime is cheap, so use it(test if you are patient, if no lime has been put down in 5 years go ahead with a ton/acre). Fertilizer is well over $300 ton, and seed of wheat,beans,and corn is at record highs(so is the corn,wheat,beans and deisel!). I'm not sure about clover.