Food plot question

[QDMAworks4me]

I am just getting started in creating food plots on our property. We have a 500 acre piece of property which consists of 100 acres of corn this year and will be alfalfa next year for a four year rotation. On the end of the property where I hunt I do not have any food source. I have a field that has not had anything done with it in the past 5 years. I am looking to make a food plot to attract more deer to my end of the property. I live in New York so we do have lots of snow and cold weather during the deer season. What I was thinking of doing is putting in either Whitetail Institute Imperial Whitetail Clover or Evolved habbitats ProVide Forage Clover & Chicory. I would also like to create another small food plot next to the clover and put in some Evolved habbitats ShotPlot Forage Attractant so that I have two planting next to each other in the same food plot for a little variety. Has anyone ever used these seeds or does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks QDMAworks4me

[dogdoc]

Re: Food plot question

Both companies make a good product. I am a big fan of providing a variety of plants for the deer. I would first try to get a soil sample done on the area to be planted. Especially the area that is going to be planted with a perennial such as clover and chicory. I would also plan on spraying the area a few times this spring with roundup to attempt to kill off as much if not all of the existing vegetation--this will decrease your competition for your perennial plants and give your plot a longer life.

I also like to divide my plots into about 60% perennial (clover, chicory, alfalfa, trefoil) and about 40% annuals (brassicas, cereal grains, winter peas, vetch)

best of luck with your new plots

todd

[QDMAworks4me]

Re: Food plot question

Thanks for the info, I have found that it is a real learning process to put food plots in.

[Born2Hunt]

Re: Food plot question

dogdoc what products do you use and what kind of success do you have with planting it? I have a lot of experience with food plots and i like to hear other opinions.I could not agree more with you in th importance of soil samples and round up.

[Born2Hunt]

Re: Food plot question

QDMA I think you will find that variety is key in all plantings.

[dogdoc]

Re: Food plot question

B2H----My annuals plantings usually consist of a mixture made here locally. The spring mix contains cowpeas, soybeans, alfalfa, millet, sunflowers, sorghun, and milo.

The winter annual mixture contains wheat, ryegrain, triticale, oats, alfalfa, vetch, pt turnips, rape, and winter peas.

For the last 2 years I have also planted the Hamann Farms Winter mix (4 different brassicas) and my perennial plots include a chicory/alfalfa plot and a few perennial plots of the Hamann Farms Fall Deer blend and their grower mix (clover/trefoil mix).

todd

[LETMGROW]

Re: Food plot question

Dog doc is right on target. My main concern would be what works in his home state may not work in yours.Be aware northern seed blends must be cold tolerent. Buy big brand name and follow their advice for planting times. If in doubt call the seed company.If you don!t like their answers find another.Good luck and happy hunting.

[bowhtr1]

Re: Food plot question

I dont know much about what would work up there but I hear that Alfalfa is great and the deer love it. I cant get it to grow down here. Maybe mix that with some clover that will grow up there. I would try several of the northern blends also and try them out the first year. After you see what works best, you know what to do the next year. Good luck.

[wtnhunt]

Re: Food plot question

I bet hamannfarms blends would work great there. Martins seeds what he does not grow himself in Wisconsin are all northern grown if I am not mistaken. Had pretty good results from his clover trefoil grower blend here, but our climate is pretty moderate, however the clovers he uses are also pretty resistant to drought.