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Beginner food plot help

Discussion in 'Food Plots & Habitat Improvement' started by daniel72, Jul 13, 2017.

  1. daniel72

    daniel72 Weekend Warrior

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    I'm looking for some help on my first food plot ever. I have selected a area that is .34 acres in size and I'm currently working on cleaning it up. I have 5 more down trees to cut and move out and it's already been soil sampled. I've added the required amount of ag lime to get the ph up in all the area expect for where the down trees were laying. But I have no idea what to plant in it. It's in a opening in the woods with beans on 3 sides and corn on the 4th side. There's clover on 3 out of the 4 sides of the woods that the previous person who leased it planted. Any ideas on what I should plant?


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  2. greatwhitehunter3

    greatwhitehunter3 Grizzled Veteran

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    I would plant some winter rye/wheat and winter peas.
     
  3. remmett70

    remmett70 Die Hard Bowhunter

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    What shape are the trees in? If they are somewhat soft and rotten, might want to consider leaving part of all of them. Hash cut the top and pour minerals on them.
     
  4. CoveyMaster

    CoveyMaster Grizzled Veteran

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    Almost always a great choice. I like crimson clover in it also.
     
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  5. daniel72

    daniel72 Weekend Warrior

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    The trees aren't rotten or mushy they are all trees that recent storms have uprooted. There are two old dead trees that we cut down and plan on leaving down


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  6. daniel72

    daniel72 Weekend Warrior

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    So I've decided to plant crimson clover, alsike clover, white Dutch clover and oats in my food plot. What rate do you suggest planting it at it will all be broadcasted and should I mix some 12-12-12 fertilizer in with it when I go to plant?


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  7. Fix

    Fix Grizzled Veteran

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    What was your soil? And remember it takes a while to get it up to 7 also where are you geographically
     
  8. Fix

    Fix Grizzled Veteran

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    And with beans all around I would plant those. The idea being, 1/3 of a acre is very very small and could be destroyed in under a week (pending on deer population). With beans you have a chance that they will eat the food around you at least until all is harvested
     
  9. Fix

    Fix Grizzled Veteran

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    And since you are surrounded by early food, one might argue that sugar beets or something that is also late season might be best.
     
  10. CoveyMaster

    CoveyMaster Grizzled Veteran

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    On the high side I'd do 2 pounds each on the aslike and dutch clovers, 8 pounds of the crimson and 40 pounds on the oats. A fifty pound bag of triple twelve should do you well.

    Clover mix is going to hold up to heavy browse better than about anything, it's early, it's late, it's dependable and it's easy as well as semi-permanent.
     
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  11. daniel72

    daniel72 Weekend Warrior

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    I'm located in Indiana and i also plan on planting this same blend on my logging trails which comes out to about 6 acres all together including the food plot


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  12. CoveyMaster

    CoveyMaster Grizzled Veteran

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    Pretty hard to go wrong with it. Could also sub winter cereal rye for the oats but oats are more palatable after heading out. Winter Triticale (beardless) would also be a good choice.
     
  13. daniel72

    daniel72 Weekend Warrior

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    Is it to early to plant that now or is there something I can plant now and go over the top of with the clover?


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  14. copperhead

    copperhead Grizzled Veteran

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    You could plant beans now but honestly if there are other food sources around I would just work on prepping the plot area now and then plant around end of August/Sept.
     
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  15. CoveyMaster

    CoveyMaster Grizzled Veteran

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    What he ^^^ said.
     
  16. FingerMike

    FingerMike Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Feeder plant a good tripod feeder right in the middle and it'll always produce corn whenever you want it lol that's my next step lol


    Mike4christ
     

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