I'm looking at planting a food plot in a woods but it's down a ridge and won't get much sunlight. I also won't be able to get any big equipment to it to work up the ground. Anyone have any suggestions?
Go into the spot and hinge cut all the trees that are 6" to 8" in diameter, this will allow more sunlight to reach the soil. If you don't plant anything in this area all the undergrowth that did not see light before will now be able to grow for deer forage. For equipment I would just bring a rake or maybe a hand tiller to break up the ground for seed. Your best bet would be some type of clover if you don't have a lot of sunlight.
Ok all you need is something to clean the leaf debris, seed and sweat equity. So if you have a rake you just rake the area clean of the debris on the ground. You can also use a leaf blower if you have one. The idea is to expose the soil underneath the leaves. Dont skimp on this as you want to ensure good seed to soil contact. Once you have the ground scratched up up can broadcast you seed out. About a week before if you want to limit competition you can go in and spray the area with Glyphosate (Round-up - don't use extended control.) This will kill off any thing that is thee currently. Dont rake it yet because you will loose moisture. A good mix would be cereal rye, winter wheat, oats and some clover. Subterranean clover would be the best choice if you can find it. Once you have the seed mix broadcasted out light rake the area again to cover the seed. Apply an appropriate amount of lime and fertilizer then pray for rain. I have used Antler King No Sweat with good success if you can't find the seeds else where. Yeah shameless plug but it works for me.
Find a decent spot for a food plot? In a situation like that, you're better off taking No6's advice and working on native browse that fits in that situation.
I'm just trying to think of a way to bring deer off neighboring property to give me a shot and they have no food plots but deer follow the creek and don't come up to ag fields often
Everyone is right on. I know that annual rye will grow on concrete if it has enough water. That might be an option, to add in, if interested.
??? This makes no sense. If they don't come to ag fields then what do you hope to accomplish with a food plot? I must not be understanding what you mean?
We have beans planted on top of ridge it drops down about 20 ft all along the creek and the deer bed along and follow it they bed in the property next to us and I was trying to draw them to our property as like a staging area. I'm sure they feed in fields just at night. I hope that makes sense
So the desirable resource is bedding more than food which makes No6's initial post all the more relevant.
Since deer spend about 90% of daylight hours in or near their bedroom, I would be creating more bedrooms on your property than food plots. And since aprox 70% of their diet is browse, you can help the browse situation while creating bedding areas with your chainsaw. Done in 1/4 acre or 1/2 are select spots you can create bedding and browse with only one hours work with your chainsaw. JMO!
