Going to do first food plot advice would be great.

[Stalkhunter]

I am wanting to get this teary for next season. I am going to start reading never put one in. Doing it in 3 places on the property. Two section has a lot of sun and other is shaded+ sun. The feeder will be coming out of the small field. The feeder was used for pictures by land owner of deer.

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[skipperbrown]

Next season like spring or next season like hunting season?

 

[backyardtndeer]

Depending on size, I would probably do a rr soybean plot on the biggest one, and fall clover and a cereal grain, like wheat in the other 2.

 

[DMD]

Take a soil sample to co-op or your local soil conservation office and have it tested. If it's from east Tennessee, you'll probably need a buttload of lime. But, getting your soil tested is probably your first step. They can tell exactly what you need to get your soil in shape for whatever you plan to grow. It will save you money in the long term and get your plots started on the right foot.

 

[Stalkhunter]

Thank you

 

[DoubleRidge]

Start with soil samples.
If your plots are big enough to tolerate pressure and they get good sun, then Soybeans, Cow peas and Sunflower makes a great warm season plot. Might add in a little buckwheat as well.
Diversity is nice for a variety of reasons, different root structures, different plants add to the soil structure in different ways, etc. And if one fails ideally another will fill in its space.

Then establishing clover plots with differet types of clovers that peak at different times is about as close to a year around food source as you can get.

We are hoping to establish some new clover plots and improve & expand current clover plots this year.

But again....soil test per instructions and dont skip lime...if you had to skip lime or fertilizer...dont skip lime.

Good luck with your project!
Enjoy the process!

 

[Stalkhunter]

Start with soil samples.
If your plots are big enough to tolerate pressure and they get good sun, then Soybeans, Cow peas and Sunflower makes a great warm season plot. Might add in a little buckwheat as well.
Diversity is nice for a variety of reasons, different root structures, different plants add to the soil structure in different ways, etc. And if one fails ideally another will fill in its space.

Then establishing clover plots with differet types of clovers that peak at different times is about as close to a year around food source as you can get.

We are hoping to establish some new clover plots and improve & expand current clover plots this year.

But again....soil test per instructions and dont skip lime...if you had to skip lime or fertilizer...dont skip lime.

Good luck with your project!
Enjoy the process!

Thank you

 

[TNTreeman]

All above great advice . Soil samples are great but the last couple yrs I've simply told myself I know I will need lime and didn't do any testing. I've about figured out you almost always need lime based on every test I've done and you almost can't over do it. Of course testing shows other deficiencies as well but maybe I've been lucky but I just lime and roll with it. I know the testing is good but don't let it hold you up on the process. Best of luck.

 

[deerfever]

I started out a years back buying some property and have two fields one was part of a Hayfield the other was over grown and I had to clear it first. I did a soil sample and like others said of course I needed lime to bring up my PH. I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but I would do Buckwheat if your planting this spring. Easy to grow , the stuff will literally grow anywhere, good for your soil and deer love it. When it seeds mow it and it regenerates itself. I grow it every spring. In the fall I keep it cheap and simple! Wheat , clover and buy some buck in a bag ( mega plot, 7 card stud or whatever) at Walmart or wherever it usually has turnips , radishes, winter peas, buckwheat just a mix of things and broadcast it with my wheat It's worked out well so far. Good luck and you will enjoy the process. My fields are not big probably 1.5 to 2 acres total.

 

[DoubleRidge]

All above great advice . Soil samples are great but the last couple yrs I've simply told myself I know I will need lime and didn't do any testing. I've about figured out you almost always need lime based on every test I've done and you almost can't over do it. Of course testing shows other deficiencies as well but maybe I've been lucky but I just lime and roll with it. I know the testing is good but don't let it hold you up on the process. Best of luck.

No doubt....if I was going to skip a soil test....its pretty safe, especially on ridge top plots, that your going to need lime....some say if your guessing then do 1,500 to 2000 lb lime per acre.
As for fertilizer...I'm not guessing, could be wasting money without knowing.