I am totally new to food plots but hoping to put in a few small plots this spring. I will have to do it all by hand. My question is what do I plant early spring and when do I plant it? I was looking at all the different seeds at the store yesterday and got more confused then anything. Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
The most simple easiest seed I've ever used for a simple rake, fertilize/lime if possible and then seed is Buckwheat for the spring time. Deer eat it, turkeys love it when it goes to seed and it grows quick enough I sometimes till under easy and plant a second time. All depends on what you desire to plant. I like to throw some peas and oats out with stuff as well at any time of the year.
Clover is very easy to plant during this time of the year (March). Frost seeding clover is one of the best ways to establish a clover plot.
Clover is easy and you can't go wrong with it. Just be sure to use a lot of lime that is important for the plants life in the future as lime doesn't really help in the beginning but starts to actually affect the soil about 6 months later down the road after laying it. I also planted two separate clover plots last spring one plot I used evolved habtait crush clover and the other I used imperial clover and I had a better turn out with the crush for sure. It was a big hit for the deer and turkeys in the fall!
I know the main spot I am planning to put the bigger of the two plots is going to take a lot of work to clear out including probably 2-3 good sprays of vegitation killer. After thats done how long should I wait before putting lime down then how long before seed? Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
For the lime the sooner the better. I tilled mine last year and then layed down the lime then two weeks later I layed the seed down with more lime.
I frost seeded some clover last weekend, but haven't had a chance to get any lime. Is there any issue with putting down the lime after the seed was spread?
You should do a soil test first to make sure you need lime.6.5-7.0 is a good ph. There's more to food plots than just adding lime tho..You need a soil test for ph, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels as well..I plant clover and chicory together.Clover adds nitrogen and chicory uses nitrogen so together they work well. You need to kept them trimmed tho and not let them seed out.I cut when it's about 8 inches high and leave it stand at 4 inches.If you get a hot dry spell with little rain then do not cut it.
The soil test last year showed the pH was just a hair under six, so I probably need to add some lime to bring that up.
When should I do the ph. test? After I have cleared the plot from a ton of growth or before I do anything? Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
