Food plots

[BHC]

Since it's the off season and all we can really do for now is improve our hunting grounds.. For some of you experienced guys what's the best for small micro kil plots. 1/10-1/2 acre. Both from a hunting stand point and herd management standpoint. Pure white clover plots? Or some blend of wheat/rye/oats, clover, brassicas,etc? Please provide your reason for why you consider which ever better.. And maybe how you manage and time required...


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[MickThompson]

Micro plots won't do much for herd health because of the size. If I was limited to plots that size, I would mainly use winter annuals to maximize production, and intensively manage the woods for summer browse. Many winter annuals can be established just by spraying, sowing, and mowing the thatch down over the seed- no tractor required. Cool-season grains (wheat, oats, rye), clover, and brassicas can all be planted this way. If you intend to mix clovers and brassicas, go very light on the brassicas. They establish quickly and will shade out the young clover seedlings. You just need to increase the seeding rate to account for some not getting good soil contact or being eaten by birds. Sow right before a rain if you can.

I wouldn't ever consider such small acreages for summer plantings. The deer will wipe them out.

 

[Deerbuster1996]

Micro plots won't do much for herd health because of the size. If I was limited to plots that size, I would mainly use winter annuals to maximize production, and intensively manage the woods for summer browse. Many winter annuals can be established just by spraying, sowing, and mowing the thatch down over the seed- no tractor required. Cool-season grains (wheat, oats, rye), clover, and brassicas can all be planted this way. If you intend to mix clovers and brassicas, go very light on the brassicas. They establish quickly and will shade out the young clover seedlings. You just need to increase the seeding rate to account for some not getting good soil contact or being eaten by birds. Sow right before a rain if you can.

I wouldn't ever consider such small acreages for summer plantings. The deer will wipe them out.

Clover and brassicas will do great.
Also we are going to try and plant some soybeans around Labor Day this September.