I have a hunting spot, and want to feed something better than apples and corn. Obviously I'm thinking ahead to next year, but I would need a tiny tiny plot. Like not even 30 yards long/wide. Is it possible? If so what would I plant?
I have the best luck with a clover alfalfa mix that I get in and mow in late August so it's fresh, younger plants come season.
Clover is a great choice. There are quite a few questions to answer. Type of soil, do you have equipment, do you want it for summer or fall or both. There are more but that is a good start. But, to answer your question, a plot can be any size. Longevity will be the only hard part with a small plot.
Nothing wrong with small plots,I have a few micro plots by my house I use my garden tiller in that are ~15 yards by 30 yards. I always experiment with stuff in them, but clover is a good idea if that is the only plot nearby. Antler King has a Starter Food Plot box that has small seed packets about about 10ftx10ft worth of seed of most the mixes, pH soil test kit(just tests the pH), how to dvd and some spray products. Great idea for a guy getting started on the small scale, only costs like $20 and gets ya pointed in the right direction. That way you can see what grows best in your soils vs buying one half acre bag of stuff.
I have 2 plots neither is bigger than a 1/4 acre. My land is usually a host to 2-3 does that raise their fawns. My plots are clover and alfalfa and the fawns and does are on them every day, I see fawns bedded in the plot eating while bedded. I don't have to mow the deer keep it about 2-3". I also feed at the same time and have apples and pear trees in the area. Labor day I usually fence off my rut plot, use a double run of snow fence to keep them out. I continue to feed until mid October, then pull the fence when it is time to hunt. I feel a smaller plot that draws deer is better than a huge plot because in a large plot the deer could be anywhere on a smaller plot like a 1/4 acre any deer that is on the plot is within shooting range.
An acre is 208' X 208' and as you can see plenty of people are having success with 10' X 10' plots. If it's good feed, the animals will find and eat it.
I have a 1/4 acre plot that I started 2 years ago, and the amount of wildlife let alone big bucks that visit it is unreal.
I'm thinking of doing a 1/2 acre plot this summer. my question to you guy's with the smaller pots would be how long are they lasting? I know everyone's results will be different based on other factors, but on average. I'd like to have it up and running by the middle of september, and last through december. is that possible on a small 1/2 acre plot?
You bet, you could plant a quarter acre of clover in the spring and then late summer plant a quarter acre of brassicas with some winter rye added to it. Clover will be ready in September and the deer will hit the brassicas and rye a little later.
Hey Fellows, help me out here....what would you plant....Open to any and all suggestions.....Soil test has already been done....we good to go....6.5 and 6.3 soil results.... Thanks Creeks
Is Alfalfa, a problem to deal with...or is it like clover, plant it, mow it, forget it... thanks Creeks
Creeks, clover for one plot and then I would add cereal ryes and brassicas in another, not sure where you live but they would grow fine with that ph.
It's pretty much like mammoth red clover, plant it, spray it if needed, mow it and you're good. Like the red though, it's a little touchy about mowing it in hot dry conditions. As long as it's not scorching hot and dry though it's fine. My opinion is that it's not quite as forgiving as ladino clover as far as grazing and traffic (driving) on it. The trade off is I feel like deer prefer it to clover.
