What to plant?

I'm clearing out a small piece of land I have at the bottom of the hill from my house. About 250yds from my house. A little info on the area there are deer in my area and I have trail cam photos of does and a small spike buck. Its mostly wooded around me no real farm fields just woods and powerlines that were cleared about 2yrs ago. I was think of planting clover rye mix but I'm new to food plots and not sure.

 

I would go with clover and oats, instead of rye. Also, I would throw in a late season brassica, so the plot will be attractive in late season.

 

why the oats over cereal rye? I will be planting that this fall but have read a few articles that say cereal rye is good because it doesn't die out like oats in late winter. Lots of dairy farmers here rotate rye and corn. Deer pretty much live off it when acorns are scarce.

 

Annual Ryegrass isn't 'terrible', but there are down falls from it. It's low in nutritional value, and it's very difficult to eradicate once it gets established. Don't get me wrong, I know people who kill tons of deer over it; however, unless you are on a shoestring budget, there are better alternatives. Wheat also makes a great cover crop for clover.

 

I am also planting a 1 acre plot in a wooded area starting with clover this spring and planting a brassica plot this fall for winter. I was going to mix winter wheat with my brassica and my clover as well. Bad Idea?

 

if you want a plot that you dont have to completely reseed every year id go with a clover alfalfa chicory mix. Then in early fall fall top dress in some radishes and turnips will add good late season option and plus aerate the soil and add some organic matter. or i have had excellent luck with soybeans in my neck of the woods.

 

I will get out browsed with soybeans so fast it will not be worth it.

 

yes on a 1 acre plot yeah you definitely will but i didnt see how big he said his was

 

I don't think he meant ryegrass but I could be wrong.

I would do winter wheat/rye with clover.

 

We're going to assume you're going to get a soil test done, because, frankly, it's the most important step before dropping time and money on seed, fertilizer, lime, etc.

Assuming this is on ground that hasn't been amended and you want something soon, I would plant buckwheat. Mow and till under in the late summer, and follow up with a rye/oats/clover mix in early September.

 

Thanks for all the replies my plot will be about 1/2 acre and the reasoning I was thinking rye clover mix is because it grows well in my area and is readily available at tractor supply and I'm on a limited budget

 

I would at least spread a couple bags of lime from tractor supply. Even if its too late for a soil sample chances are you will need lime and fertilizer. But mostly lime. You can get enough for 1/2 acre for under $20

 

That would work well.

 

Now it might be stupid question but I'm new to food plots should I do anything once its planted? Besides checking trail cams.

 

Weed control other wise your plot will get choked out by weeds/grasses that were there before

 

I got 800 lbs for like 60 for pelletized. Only took about an hour to spread it by hand too.