Good plot without adjusting pH?

[cbcs1987]

Money is tight right now so I can't spend to much on the plot. So my question is: Is there anything I can plant with this pH level that will grow well without adding lime? The area recieves a good deal of rain.

 

[BSK]

At 4.6? No. Other than native broadleaf weeds, buy seed for anything else will be a huge waste of meny.

 

[cbcs1987]

Well thats that. This is my first attempt at doing any type of foodplot. I appreciate the quick help.
Its funny that sample pH was so low, but the other plot just 100 yards from it pH level was 7.1

 

[BSK]

In upland, hardwood areas, a starting pH of mid 4s is commonplace.

 

[deerchaser007]

Someone has applied lime and fertilizer to the area known as BOT PLOT A. I can tell by your codes one is in a bottom and the other a top area,.. but for that ph to be 7.1 and the fertilizer ratio to be high on calcium and potash in that bottom plot,. its had applications before. No were in TN holds those numbers without a application. It had probably been planted in a clover plot before,.. which is why the phosphate has went to LOW. Clovers will pull the phosphate from the soil very quickly to the plant. Which causes a sample to show low on phosphate.

You need to get that top plot to a 5.5 to grow anything well. At 4.6 ,. you would be better off taking your money and throwing it down a toilet than putting a ounce of fertilizer or seed on that. It needs lime first and foremost.

 

[hard county]

The whitetail Institute has a product they claim will grow in 5.0 soils. It is called "extreme" and it consists of small burnett and chicory.
Any non-legume will as a general rule of thumb tolerate lower PH than a legume.
For a cheap plot that will grow somewhat, try wheat or oats.
This is not a great idea as it will deplete the soil, but it will probably still provide more forage per acre than what is in the plot right now.

 

[BowGuy84]

Ive heard a lot about buckweat as being resiliant and easy to get started. What minimum PH does it require?

 

[BSK]

You're not going to get much growth out of anything until you get the pH into the mid 5 range.

 

[BowGuy84]

Kinda what I was afraid of...I need something to grow on the road through my property so it doesnt erode once I get the water bars put in. It is a decently step grade. I dont care if this is "nutritional" just so long as it keeps my soil and dozer work in place. Any advice guys? Now the flat spots are gonna be plots and if the rain holds off those are gonna get the lime poured to them starting tomorrow...like it's going to look like ti snowed

 

[TNTony]

How much area totally are ya talking about?

 

[BSK]

Elbon rye (grain rye like "Winter Grazer", not ryegrass).

Actually grain rye will do amazingly well in terrible soil. It will grow in gravel. You might try that in your acidic plot, but it is a cool-season crop, so it isn't planted until fall.

 

[Boone 58]

Go buy the lime bulk from your local co-op and for a ton you will spend around 22 to 26 bucks.....This is the best money you can spend and believe me it is well worth it. I haul it in my trailer and then transport it over to a pull behind atv 10 cu ft cart and take it to the fields with it and throw it out with a small Feed scoop!!!!
This sounds crazy but i have put out over 30 tons of lime the last 12 months!!!....It can be done believe me!! We have 30 fields about 1/2 to 3/4 acre and some smaller in size! We even let in an extra 3 to 5 people just to cover this all important cost/task. We have around 4000 acres....it just doesnt make sense to not fully utilize this property by getting the food plots correct to produce the max food!!!
We are seeing improvements on a yearly basis!!