I have a ridge that has a great place for a food plot but the only problem is that there is very little top soil on the site. I was curious what yalls thoughts were on how to go about building topsoil on a site like this. Trucking in top soil is not an option. We do have cattle so maybe using manure to some extent?
Food Plots Building Topsoil
- Thread starter TripleE
- Start date
WestTn Huntin man
Well-Known Member
Manure and leaves composted make good soil. My question would be how do you intend to keep it on the ridge top ?? Wind and rain ect can easily wash it down to the bottom.
Swampster
Well-Known Member
I would start with NWS grasses mixed with some legumes. It is not fast, but the NWS grasses will stabilize what you have as well as offer good habitat for multitudes of species. Maybe mix in some partridge pea. After a couple of years, try killing some narrow strips in the grass and see if you can get some clovers and peas to come up in them.
I'm no expert, but if your desire for a food plot is to draw in wildlife, the grasses may be nearly as effective.
I'm no expert, but if your desire for a food plot is to draw in wildlife, the grasses may be nearly as effective.
String Music
Well-Known Member
Don't worry about hauling dirt. Take a soil sample and apply lime/fertilizer as needed. I would start with annual clovers, winter rye or wheat, and daiken radishes. We have used this mix on strip pits with great success.
Buckwheat is a great source of "green manure". It'll grow just about anywhere.If you plant in June, you'll get two crops out of it before fall planting time. Once it matures and produces seeds, simply disk it back in and it'll grow again.
