poor soil foodplot question?
 

we are going to be planting foodplots next year in western kansas. the soil out there is very poor. it has a little sand in it and is very desert like. it is covered in grass and yuca's. we may try to plant near some moist drainages but we will see when we get there, there is 20 sq miles to pick from. we don't have any soil samples yet, but will in september.

what kind of food plot (plot's) will work best in this soil. if there is anybody with experience with these kinds of areas i would appritiate any input.

RE: poor soil foodplot question?
 

I have not had any experience with soil like that myself. Here is southern Indiana it doesn't take much to grow a food plot. A good wet year like this and we have plants coming out our ears.

Just from what I know about food plot seeds I would think that Whitetail Institute's Extreme would be great for a location like that. http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/products/extreme/It says that it will do well in sandy soil with little rainfall. Maybe someone else has had a little more experience with this and can give youa first hand account that this stuff works. From what Whitetail Institute says this stuff should work for you.

Hopes this helps you out.

RE: poor soil foodplot question?
 

I guess it depends on what your wanting; anual, perennial, late season hunt plot,summer food.I think I could grow buckwheat in my driveway, but it doesn’t seem to be a deer’s first choice here in farm country where there’s no shortage of food. If there’s little to no crops in your area, it may work well for a summer crop, as well as a soil builder.

RE: poor soil foodplot question?
 

I also have no experience in Kansas, but the first thing I would do is call the extension office of KSU. Talk with an Ag Extension Agent and get their help. Also contact the Wildlife Dept at KSU, Kansas Dept of Wildlife and the Soil Conservation Service Office in your area.

They will be able to help you set up a food plot program as well as a habitat improvement plan that will help you manage the native plants that benefit wildlife. I find that native species management in addition to food plots gives my management programs something to fall back on should I have a bad year for the food plots. I also can do several acres of native species for the cost of 1 acre of food plots.

Just my thoughts...hope they help.

RE: poor soil foodplot question?
 

Can't be as bad as sandy country in the dry South.
Plant It and will grow. Stuff grows here and I don't know why.
Things I have found that works
1. Plant Oats or Wheat inlate Oct.doesn't matter I've got both and see the same amount of deer in each
2. Millet grows on asphalt and attracts deer in the first 4 weeks of growth. can be planted with great success several times of the year from spring to early fall
3. Sunflowers love hot dry climate and nothing I have ever seen works better when it is putting on a head in the summer
4. Soybeans can grow in all soils and will wait on a rain
I think they are the best at 6-12 weeks of age.
Burn The fields and the woods Deer Love new growth and all wildlife will benifit as well

RE: poor soil foodplot question?
 

thanks for the help! i really appreciate how much information and how quickly all of you replied. i am going to try the imperial clover, and test out some of your other suggestions and see which grows best and has the best attractant for the seasons i hunt.

thanks again;
vick