I've got 80 acres in Northern Michigan. Deer have only been passing through, not many stay because of the lack of food. I'm wanting to put a food plot in this next year. The soil is really sandy. Wandering what good kinds of plants that will grow, and bring deer around.
First thing you need is a soil test. You can buy your own or whitetail institute and biological will do them too. I send to biological because you can download the forms and Mail the soil sample. An article I read in Michigan sportsman says buckwheat grows decently there but you still need the right PH for that to do good. We use buckwheat in Virginia and the deer seem to like it when acorns are sparse. Cow peas and winter peas might work but you will need a decent sized plot else deer will mow them. Ph again is key
Cover is just as valuable as food. It's one thing and an easy thing to feed deer it's another to have them feeding and hanging around during hunting hours. That's where not only security cover but also bedding and transitional cover is a good thing. Copper was right about the soil test, but also don't overlook the power of hinging and planting and clear cutting depending on tree make up of your ground.
Any type of root crop like beets, radishes, etc..these grow very well in sandy soil because it is easier for them to physically grow, if your soil is too clay rich, these crops would have hard time growing. Sandy soil is also very good for anything that needs to have well drained soil as well.
My first plot on new ground is winter rye, it conditions the soil and makes your next crop more weed free. Winter rye would grow on concrete if it got enough rain as well.
Also can be re-seeded through out the year to always have fresh greens growing...mix in oats to towards the fall seeding, both an grow nearly anywhere like described by Sota.
Quad Pro 4 bean blend of forage soybeans/lablab/trailing soybeans/cowpeas A sandy mix that i'm experimenting for perennial plots that has Kura Cover, sainfoin, trefoil and Plantain.
Second the notion to clover. In eastern NC we have sandy soils and very acidic soils (willing to bet worse conditions compared to Northern Michigan) and our food plots grow great. Like others say, PH is the key.
My property is extremely sandy. Brassicas and oats have both done well for me.....steer away from any type of clover...the soil won't hold enough moisture.
