Food Plot help needed

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I know I'm a little late getting a plot out but hope to throw down some seed within a week.

Any recommendations for what to plant? Plot sites between two sets of woods in a TVA powerline easement. Approximately 30 yes wide by 70 yds long. Wilson county.

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[hard county]

Line running north and south or east west? Wet or dry?

I know I'm a little late getting a plot out but hope to throw down some seed within a week.

Any recommendations for what to plant? Plot sites between two sets of woods in a TVA powerline easement. Approximately 30 yes wide by 70 yds long. Wilson county.

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[TheLBLman]

IMO, you're not late at all, albeit depending on what you're planting.

Just based on the limited info you've shared,
good bets would be a mixture of winter wheat & crimson clover.

You have until approximately October 15 to do well with this.
I typically "like" to get it sown around October 1st.
Maybe add a little rape seed, especially if you plant before Oct 1.

The above is a good, economical mix that tends do better than most on less prepared, upland soils,
and usually good period so long as no flooding (bottomland areas).
You can purchase the above seed very "cheap" at your nearest County Co-Op.

This particular mix requires minimal lime/fertilizer to do ok,
while many other options need closer to 7.0 pH (typically more lime) and more fertilizer to do well.

Many people plant too early,
then need to replant because of a lack of soil moisture.
Soil moisture (and rainfall) is more reliable after Sept 15.

Another reason for waiting until after Sept 15 to plant
is you get less competition from grasses & weeds,
which are dying later, thriving earlier.

 

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Line running north and south or east west? Wet or dry?

I know I'm a little late getting a plot out but hope to throw down some seed within a week.

Any recommendations for what to plant? Plot sites between two sets of woods in a TVA powerline easement. Approximately 30 yes wide by 70 yds long. Wilson county.

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Runs directly north and south.

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[Back Home]

IMO, you're not late at all, albeit depending on what you're planting.

Just based on the limited info you've shared,
good bets would be a mixture of winter wheat & crimson clover.

You have until approximately October 15 to do well with this.
I typically "like" to get it sown around October 1st.
Maybe add a little rape seed, especially if you plant before Oct 1.

The above is a good, economical mix that tends do better than most on less prepared, upland soils,
and usually good period so long as no flooding (bottomland areas).
You can purchase the above seed very "cheap" at your nearest County Co-Op.

Many people plant too early,
then need to replant because of a lack of soil moisture.
Soil moisture (and rainfall) is more reliable after Sept 15.

Thanks for the reply... since I'm new to this and want to do this as well as possible, what other info would you need to give guidance? A neighbor said I should plant radishes...

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[Back Home]

Line running north and south or east west? Wet or dry?

I know I'm a little late getting a plot out but hope to throw down some seed within a week.

Any recommendations for what to plant? Plot sites between two sets of woods in a TVA powerline easement. Approximately 30 yes wide by 70 yds long. Wilson county.

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Forgot to add... I would call it mostly dry. Soil drains well.. no puddling anywhere.

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[hard county]

Running north and south on a dry site you will get a couple hours intense, midday light. I'd 2nd the other guy and recommend a crimson clover/grain mix. This time of year cereal rye might give you longer palatability than wheat if you can find it. Ditto on the crimson clover. I'd sow the grain heavier in the middle sunny parts then drag the dirt to get some good seed to soil contact then topsow clover after you drag in the shadier sides. If you're buying 2 or more bags of fertilizer I'd sow the 0/20/20 on the sides with the clover and 64/0/0 in the middle with the grain. If one bag of fertilizer I'd go with 6/12/12. Lime will significantly help your clover. Good soil prep will help your germination and lower weed pressure. Good luck!

Line running north and south or east west? Wet or dry?

I know I'm a little late getting a plot out but hope to throw down some seed within a week.

Any recommendations for what to plant? Plot sites between two sets of woods in a TVA powerline easement. Approximately 30 yes wide by 70 yds long. Wilson county.

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Runs directly north and south.

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Awesome reply... thanks for all this info. What about the dirt... I have a plow and disc... already had it bushhogged snd the disc ran over it four or five times but I'm not satisfied with how it looks... just seems like the existing roots that didnt get cut would choke out anything I plant.

Wouldnt it be better to run a plow a little shallow and then disc it up good before planting?

Running north and south on a dry site you will get a couple hours intense, midday light. I'd 2nd the other guy and recommend a crimson clover/grain mix. This time of year cereal rye might give you longer palatability than wheat if you can find it. Ditto on the crimson clover. I'd sow the grain heavier in the middle sunny parts then drag the dirt to get some good seed to soil contact then topsow clover after you drag in the shadier sides. If you're buying 2 or more bags of fertilizer I'd sow the 0/20/20 on the sides with the clover and 64/0/0 in the middle with the grain. If one bag of fertilizer I'd go with 6/12/12. Lime will significantly help your clover. Good soil prep will help your germination and lower weed pressure. Good luck!

Line running north and south or east west? Wet or dry?

I know I'm a little late getting a plot out but hope to throw down some seed within a week.

Any recommendations for what to plant? Plot sites between two sets of woods in a TVA powerline easement. Approximately 30 yes wide by 70 yds long. Wilson county.

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Runs directly north and south.

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[hard county]

Better is always better haha, but I've sown wheat this time of year on a pasture I bushhogged and watched it grow great. The roots from the trees won't be much of an issue in terms of nutrient competition mostly because our trees are dormant in the winter. If you're dealing with clumps of Johnson grass or whatever then dragging it off with a hare or something would be good. A root rake would be pretty ideal if you have access to one. That fine, smooth seed bed you're looking for can sometimes be easier to get dragging with an atv than a tractor. I've used everything from chain link to a cedar tree I cut for the job. Mostly now I use an atv to drag a 4' section hare I bought for 20$ with a cut off telephone pole on top for added weight to get that finishing touch. If you're really wanting to do everything you can to ensure success you still have time to do a soil test to get exact fertility recommendations. That would also tell you better what to plant ie. if your pH is way too low you might plant chicory or something other than clover. The only other thing you might do would be run a cultipacker over the clover but with crimson it isn't as necessary as smaller perrenial clovers.

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[muddyboots]

Don't make it hard. A disc will only cut it up so far. If you want it better invest in a 3 point tiller. Saved me tons of tractor time. Get ur ground ready. Get ur seed. I personally buy my seed at wal Mart after the season on clearance. Wheat, oats, clover,Austrian peas are my favorites. Wait for some moisture. Sow ur seed. Drag and culfipack and hope for more rain. Also I like to fertilize as I disc and cut it in. Just seems to do better for me.

 

[Back Home]

Better is always better haha, but I've sown wheat this time of year on a pasture I bushhogged and watched it grow great. The roots from the trees won't be much of an issue in terms of nutrient competition mostly because our trees are dormant in the winter. If you're dealing with clumps of Johnson grass or whatever then dragging it off with a hare or something would be good. A root rake would be pretty ideal if you have access to one. That fine, smooth seed bed you're looking for can sometimes be easier to get dragging with an atv than a tractor. I've used everything from chain link to a cedar tree I cut for the job. Mostly now I use an atv to drag a 4' section hare I bought for 20$ with a cut off telephone pole on top for added weight to get that finishing touch. If you're really wanting to do everything you can to ensure success you still have time to do a soil test to get exact fertility recommendations. That would also tell you better what to plant ie. if your pH is way too low you might plant chicory or something other than clover. The only other thing you might do would be run a cultipacker over the clover but with crimson it isn't as necessary as smaller perrenial clovers.

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I've just about got my tractor up and running... needs a new fuel pump that should be in and ready by mid this week. Hoping to get this thing done this weekend. I'm definitely gonna take my plow and get the ground loosened up a little better first. I want this thing to look good. I should have started earlier I feel so that I can have better use out of it during bow season. I don't have an ATV, but the tractor should get the job done. As far as the PH, it's 6.1 according to UT a few years ago. Could be a little higher, so I'll add some nitrogen.

 

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So I went to the co-op yesterday to get my seed. Hoping to have this thing done by this Saturday. I bought four different seeds. 1. Winter wheat. 2. crimson clover. 3. Turnips. 4. Radishes. I bought enough for a half acre even though I have about a 1/3 acre i'm planting.

Thanks for all the tips. Love learning new things. This is my first go at a food plot. I don't expect it to be perfect but will get better with each passing year.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Not too late at all. It's hard to beat a mixture of co-op oats, winter wheat and some type of clover. Try to lightly cover the wheat and oats, then put the clover on top. Works best when culti-packed if you have that capability

 

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I didn't get any oats... should I add that to the mix too?

Not too late at all. It's hard to beat a mixture of co-op oats, winter wheat and some type of clover. Try to lightly cover the wheat and oats, then put the clover on top. Works best when culti-packed if you have that capability

 

[hard county]

The ph refers to acidity, so if its a 6 you need to add lime to amend it, not nitrogen. An npk test will tell you the acidity of the soil but also how much nitrogen phosphorous and potassium it needs. If you don't have a recent soil test you can just go off what you're planting. With your seed selection Id guess at 6-12-12 which is 6 nitrogen 12 phosphorous and 12 potassium. If your ratio is mostly clover which is a legume that makes its own nitrogen and you're really hoping it does well enough to reseed next year you could go with 0-20-20 if it is just a little clover then 15-15-15 would work. I think for a third of an acre one bag 6-12-12 and one bag pelletized lime. I wouldn't buy the oats if you already have enough seed for a half acre, you want food plot plants to grow more out than up, seeding too heavily can make you have a plot that is all stems. Oats are very similar to wheat, there is even a hybrid of the two called triticale so both would be a little redundant. Good luck!

 

[Back Home]

The ph refers to acidity, so if its a 6 you need to add lime to amend it, not nitrogen. An npk test will tell you the acidity of the soil but also how much nitrogen phosphorous and potassium it needs. If you don't have a recent soil test you can just go off what you're planting. With your seed selection Id guess at 6-12-12 which is 6 nitrogen 12 phosphorous and 12 potassium. If your ratio is mostly clover which is a legume that makes its own nitrogen and you're really hoping it does well enough to reseed next year you could go with 0-20-20 if it is just a little clover then 15-15-15 would work. I think for a third of an acre one bag 6-12-12 and one bag pelletized lime. I wouldn't buy the oats if you already have enough seed for a half acre, you want food plot plants to grow more out than up, seeding too heavily can make you have a plot that is all stems. Oats are very similar to wheat, there is even a hybrid of the two called triticale so both would be a little redundant. Good luck!

Thank you!! Here's what I got back from UT in 2014. I would guess the ph is the same since nothing a put the soil has changed since. This will be the first time anything has ever been planted.

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[MickThompson]

You don't need to apply any K


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[hard county]

Awesome! So 60 180 0 means you probably want bulk fertilizer in the form of ammonium phosphate which is 11-52-0. I think 50 lbs should be perfect. I would throw a bag of lime on because it's cheap and that clover likes around 7.0 and the other stuff won't mind it. I think youre ready to go man! Hate you missed this rain!

The ph refers to acidity, so if its a 6 you need to add lime to amend it, not nitrogen. An npk test will tell you the acidity of the soil but also how much nitrogen phosphorous and potassium it needs. If you don't have a recent soil test you can just go off what you're planting. With your seed selection Id guess at 6-12-12 which is 6 nitrogen 12 phosphorous and 12 potassium. If your ratio is mostly clover which is a legume that makes its own nitrogen and you're really hoping it does well enough to reseed next year you could go with 0-20-20 if it is just a little clover then 15-15-15 would work. I think for a third of an acre one bag 6-12-12 and one bag pelletized lime. I wouldn't buy the oats if you already have enough seed for a half acre, you want food plot plants to grow more out than up, seeding too heavily can make you have a plot that is all stems. Oats are very similar to wheat, there is even a hybrid of the two called triticale so both would be a little redundant. Good luck!

Thank you!! Here's what I got back from UT in 2014. I would guess the ph is the same since nothing a put the soil has changed since. This will be the first time anything has ever been planted.

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[MickThompson]

Your soil test is coded for producing a small grain crop. You can probably back off the N some too.


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[Back Home]

Awesome! So 60 180 0 means you probably want bulk fertilizer in the form of ammonium phosphate which is 11-52-0. I think 50 lbs should be perfect. I would throw a bag of lime on because it's cheap and that clover likes around 7.0 and the other stuff won't mind it. I think youre ready to go man! Hate you missed this rain!

The ph refers to acidity, so if its a 6 you need to add lime to amend it, not nitrogen. An npk test will tell you the acidity of the soil but also how much nitrogen phosphorous and potassium it needs. If you don't have a recent soil test you can just go off what you're planting. With your seed selection Id guess at 6-12-12 which is 6 nitrogen 12 phosphorous and 12 potassium. If your ratio is mostly clover which is a legume that makes its own nitrogen and you're really hoping it does well enough to reseed next year you could go with 0-20-20 if it is just a little clover then 15-15-15 would work. I think for a third of an acre one bag 6-12-12 and one bag pelletized lime. I wouldn't buy the oats if you already have enough seed for a half acre, you want food plot plants to grow more out than up, seeding too heavily can make you have a plot that is all stems. Oats are very similar to wheat, there is even a hybrid of the two called triticale so both would be a little redundant. Good luck!

Thank you!! Here's what I got back from UT in 2014. I would guess the ph is the same since nothing a put the soil has changed since. This will be the first time anything has ever been planted.

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Is it 60 to 180 / 80 / 0? Or 60/180/0 ?

 

[MickThompson]

60-180# of N per acre depending on your desired small grain yield. And don't add the numbers on the fertilizer bag. They are percentage points. In a 50# bag (some are 40#ers so check that too) of 19-19-19 for example, you get 9.5# of N, 9.5# of P, and 9.5# of K.


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[hard county]

As he said it recommends 60 n 180 p 0 k. What you want is am. phosphate which is what fertilizer blends use get p although it has some n. You don't need as much n as suggested because you're including a legume in your mix (clover). 50 lbs of 11 52 0 should be exactly what you need.

Awesome! So 60 180 0 means you probably want bulk fertilizer in the form of ammonium phosphate which is 11-52-0. I think 50 lbs should be perfect. I would throw a bag of lime on because it's cheap and that clover likes around 7.0 and the other stuff won't mind it. I think youre ready to go man! Hate you missed this rain!

The ph refers to acidity, so if its a 6 you need to add lime to amend it, not nitrogen. An npk test will tell you the acidity of the soil but also how much nitrogen phosphorous and potassium it needs. If you don't have a recent soil test you can just go off what you're planting. With your seed selection Id guess at 6-12-12 which is 6 nitrogen 12 phosphorous and 12 potassium. If your ratio is mostly clover which is a legume that makes its own nitrogen and you're really hoping it does well enough to reseed next year you could go with 0-20-20 if it is just a little clover then 15-15-15 would work. I think for a third of an acre one bag 6-12-12 and one bag pelletized lime. I wouldn't buy the oats if you already have enough seed for a half acre, you want food plot plants to grow more out than up, seeding too heavily can make you have a plot that is all stems. Oats are very similar to wheat, there is even a hybrid of the two called triticale so both would be a little redundant. Good luck!

Thank you!! Here's what I got back from UT in 2014. I would guess the ph is the same since nothing a put the soil has changed since. This will be the first time anything has ever been planted.

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Is it 60 to 180 / 80 / 0? Or 60/180/0 ?

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[Back Home]

Fantastic. What I love about this place... guys who are willing to help out. I'll take it from here. Thanks so much.

 

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Well, I got it done. Since it's my first ever food plot, I won't expect it to be perfect but I'm hoping it yields something good enough for the deer to come in. Unfortunately, I could not find the fertilizer you guys mentioned above, so I use the rest of my 10-10-10. I added 40 lb of lime too. I used a plow to begin with. Pulled some huge rocks out before I finally broke a bolt on the plow. Then I ran a disc over it several times before planting.

Got 50 lbs of winter wheat, radishes, turnips, and crimson clover all planted. I took the disk and lightly ran it over the top just to cover a little.

Now, of only some of this rain would push in. Thanks for all of the help. Can't wait to do this

 

[Happyhunter78]

Very nice...I myself only had time to put in a very small food plot this year! I was to busy fixing my brothers tractor! [emoji23]

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Very nice...I myself only had time to put in a very small food plot this year! I was to busy fixing my brothers tractor! [emoji23]

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[emoji1787][emoji1787] ain't that funny. My brother was supposed to fix mine too. Ended up having to finish fixing it by myself [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]


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