best time to plant?

[easy45]

This will be my first year putting food plots in, when should I plant and what are best options that are not terribly expensive

 

[tn droptine]

Few questions that will make it easier to answer with more info:

1. How big are the plots?

2. Are you wanting an annual or perennial?

3. What is your deer density (high or average)?

With you being same general area as I am, I would not suggest soybeans (only way I would is if you were planting more than 5 acres, and that would start getting pretty expensive).

I would hold off on planting until this fall if you are wanting a perennial, unless you really need something for the deer over the summer - your best bet would be a fall mix of durana clover mixed with some other seed (Oats or wheat and some austrailian winter peas and chicory make a good blend with your clovers). I would spend time between now and this fall prepping the area for the plot. Soil testing is a must, and getting that done this spring will allow you to get lime into the ground a few months ahead of your planting date, which is ideal.

Here is a pretty good amount of info about food plots:
https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publi ... PB1769.pdf

 

[easy45]

The plots are going to be no bigger than a half acre and maybe smaller, the deer density in the area is average to slightly above average, we would like to get something in the ground for antler development over the summer.

 

[Football Hunter]

Few questions that will make it easier to answer with more info:

1. How big are the plots?

2. Are you wanting an annual or perennial?

3. What is your deer density (high or average)?

With you being same general area as I am, I would not suggest soybeans (only way I would is if you were planting more than 5 acres, and that would start getting pretty expensive).

I would hold off on planting until this fall if you are wanting a perennial, unless you really need something for the deer over the summer - your best bet would be a fall mix of durana clover mixed with some other seed (Oats or wheat and some austrailian winter peas and chicory make a good blend with your clovers). I would spend time between now and this fall prepping the area for the plot. Soil testing is a must, and getting that done this spring will allow you to get lime into the ground a few months ahead of your planting date, which is ideal.

Here is a pretty good amount of info about food plots:
https://utextension.tennessee.edu/publi ... PB1769.pdf

Good thoughts,read about plots,will save you a bunch of time and money.The QDMA food plot book is a great resource.

 

[jmb4wd]

The plots are going to be no bigger than a half acre and maybe smaller, the deer density in the area is average to slightly above average, we would like to get something in the ground for antler development over the summer.

All good info above!! That being said, with the small size of your plots and your goal of antler development, I would plant something pretty thick and hearty. Might do something like a sunflower, milo, lab lab mix. Id say the thicker the better, cause they are going to wear it out. Better put up a exclusion cage to monitor the grow!!

 

[tn droptine]

The plots are going to be no bigger than a half acre and maybe smaller, the deer density in the area is average to slightly above average, we would like to get something in the ground for antler development over the summer.

All good info above!! That being said, with the small size of your plots and your goal of antler development, I would plant something pretty thick and hearty. Might do something like a sunflower, milo, lab lab mix. Id say the thicker the better, cause they are going to wear it out. Better put up a exclusion cage to monitor the grow!!

I agree with Justin; due to the size of the plots, I would do two things - plant it with varieties that will provide thick growth (such as lab lab or maybe iron clay peas), and offer a variety in your mix. Be careful not to seed too thickly tho, as that will cause a lot of competition between the plants for the available nutrients and will cause all of the plants to be stunted. Good luck with it, once you start plotting be ready to be hooked on it - it becomes an addiction, lol

 

[double browtine]

The plots are going to be no bigger than a half acre and maybe smaller, the deer density in the area is average to slightly above average, we would like to get something in the ground for antler development over the summer.

All good info above!! That being said, with the small size of your plots and your goal of antler development, I would plant something pretty thick and hearty. Might do something like a sunflower, milo, lab lab mix. Id say the thicker the better, cause they are going to wear it out. Better put up a exclusion cage to monitor the grow!!

What kind of sunflowers? And Milo would you recommend? Can I buy it at my local co-op? Also what would be a good seeding rate for the sunflower, milo, lab lab mix (per acre)?

 

[easy45]

The plots are going to be no bigger than a half acre and maybe smaller, the deer density in the area is average to slightly above average, we would like to get something in the ground for antler development over the summer.

All good info above!! That being said, with the small size of your plots and your goal of antler development, I would plant something pretty thick and hearty. Might do something like a sunflower, milo, lab lab mix. Id say the thicker the better, cause they are going to wear it out. Better put up a exclusion cage to monitor the grow!!

What kind of sunflowers? And Milo would you recommend? Can I buy it at my local co-op? Also what would be a good seeding rate for the sunflower, milo, lab lab mix (per acre)?[/quote

Yea, does coop sell the peas and lab lab mix