Guest 2500HD Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Ok now that bow season has ended it it time to start thinking about food plots. I have never planted a serious plot and I have access to over 250ac of private prime time hunting ground. There are already a couple mowed fields in the "right" spots on the property and deer alway hang out in them but I want to provide them with the proper food for this year. I'm here in the midwest and the plots will be open and ranging from 1/2ac - ? in othere areas. I can make the others as large as I want as they are both about 10-15ac fields each and water should not be a problem for them so what seed would you guys suggest I plant. Lets try this two ways one being that $$$ is not a factor and just the oppisite who has had good success with product mixtures from your local feed store. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Re: OK...food plots...what to plant? I would strongly recommend talking with Martin(Oneidaman) and seeing what he suggests. His hamannfarms seed blends are good blends. We planted some of his trefoil grower mix back in the spring last year and that plot has seen alot of activity. Have also had good results from pennington rackmaster seeds. I would stay away from any biologic seeds. They just do not do as well I have planted white clover I bought from our local coop on a few occasions and the deer will eat it and it does pretty well, but the seeds I bought designed specifically for wildlife from hamannfarms and others have been considerably better in my opinion. As far as the money aspect, the seed you purchase may not be exactly cheap, but the work going into the plot preperation will likely cost as much if not more than the seed itself if you do it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidd Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Re: OK...food plots...what to plant? what i am finding out is that the seed bed pre. can be as important if not more important then the actual planting of seed. i.e. soil samples, fert., equipment being used, timing of planting, and how to monitor plots after planting jmo good tymes kidd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Re: OK...food plots...what to plant? When planting annuals--either warm season or cool season I do believe the seeds from your local co-op/feed-seed store do just fine. In the spring my favorites are mixed cowpeas, soybeans, forage sorghum, milo, and millet. In the fall i plant wheat, rye grain, oats, vetch, and austrian winter peas. Now I also plant a winter brassicas mix that I get from Hamann Farms (Oneida man). Now--I do have a different feeling about planting perennial mixes. I do believe the mixes made specifically for wildlife do a better job. They are designed more more forage production and grazing then a lot of the same type seeds you get at a feed store--which are aimed more toward hay production. You will pay more for the specialty seeds but in the long run I think it is worth it---saying that you can still have a great perennial plot with the co-op seeds. I planted the Hamann Farms Fall Blend over a year ago and the plot has done wonderful---a deer magnet. I like to start my perennial plots (clover, alfalfa, trefoil, chicory) in the fall. I will start in the late spring spraying the future plot with roundup--discing to promote germination of dormant weed/grass seeds and continuing to spray monthly thru the summer to kill any vegetation on the plot. Spring is also a great time to get a soil sample done to see if you need to add some lime to the soil. Then late summer plant your perennial plot at the recommended rate but also add 50# of wheat/rye per acre. Then in the spring mow the wheat and rye and you should have a nice perennial plot growing. The plot with proper care should last you 3 to 5 years. I like to keep about 60% of my plots perennials and 40# annuals. This way it keeps food available 52 weeks of the year! todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smo Posted January 14, 2005 Report Share Posted January 14, 2005 Re: OK...food plots...what to plant? I know alfalfa works for sure. Its the only thing we have ever planted so I don't know about anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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