Liquid lime and fertilizer question

[volsfan1976]

So I have a area probably about .25-.5 acre in a remote spot that I have been working on to open up the canopy and get some sun on. I blew all the leaves off down to the dirt. Hoping to get some natural growth growing. I did most of the work in the area back in March-April. Not seeing much of anything going on in this area as opposed to other areas I did the same to. It's about a half mile walk to get to. No other way in. Curious if you all though maybe spraying with liquid lime and liquid fertilizer would be worth doing. It's just too far trying to carry bags of fertilizer and lime over rough terrain. I think it's getting more sun than it was and in July I hack n squirted a bunch so it's only gonna get more I think but didn't know if the lime and fertilizer would help the natural browse. Thanks.

 

[BSK]

For that small of an area, the liquid lime and fertilizer would probably be a big help.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Majority of the time you can't go wrong by adding lime and fertilizer....and if I could only pack one in....go with the lime....get the pH correct before worrying with fertilizer.

 

[volsfan1976]

Ok great. Thanks. I cleaned out an old roadbed in March down to the dirt. Probably a third to a half mile long. Put out 200 pounds of pelitized lime. Was gonna try to plant something there. Went back in may and it was grown up about waist high in some places. Don't really know what all was growing but decided to leave it alone. Put a camera on it and have deer there all the time. So I lined a couple other spots and they have done pretty good too. Haven't fertilized any of them. Just pelitized lime. Wanted to get this spot as well but just too rough and too far to have to pack the bags in so was hoping the liquid lime would maybe be a help. Any suggestions on brand of the liquid lime? I have absolutely no idea about it

 

[MickThompson]

a lot of times it takes another season for the understory to respond. And I'd use dry fertilizer over liquid. Otherwise most of the weight you're carrying is just water weight instead of lime or fertilizer.

 

[volsfan1976]

Ok I may. Was gonna use a backpack sprayer but I guess I could always use a big back pack and put a bag in it. Easier to carry than on my shoulder which is all I need. That may work. Thanks

 

[BSK]

Always lime first. Most soils aren't terribly infertile, they are just acidic. And when soils are acidic, the nutrients are bound to the soil particles. Neutralizing the soil releases those nutrients so that plants can utilize them.

 

[volsfan1976]

Always lime first. Most soils aren't terribly infertile, they are just acidic. And when soils are acidic, the nutrients are bound to the soil particles. Neutralizing the soil releases those nutrients so that plants can utilize them.

Sounds good. That's what I will do. I will find some way to get the lime there. In the other couple areas I cleaned up some, lime is all I have done. And it really seemed to help. I did that because I though I remembered you talking about it in a post long ago. These places aren't food plots just openings trying to get some extra browse for them. I think I have also read you talking about it before but I have one little food plot and the 3 places that I kinda thinned out and I get a lot more pics from the 3 areas than I have been getting from the food plot. I'm sure that may change but it is interesting to see how much more frequent they are in these areas this year vs last year.

 

[BSK]

I think I have also read you talking about it before but I have one little food plot and the 3 places that I kinda thinned out and I get a lot more pics from the 3 areas than I have been getting from the food plot. I'm sure that may change but it is interesting to see how much more frequent they are in these areas this year vs last year.

Even in Iowa, with its endless agricultural fields, more than 50% of a deer's diet in summer will be weeds. In summer, deer are weed eaters. Now that changes during the fall and winter, but when available, deer prefer weeds over all other foods and that includes soybeans.

 

[Johnathon]

Check out deer gro plot start and plot boost. I've had great success with these for first time small plots

 

[JhnDeereMan]

If I had to pack in I believe I would try to go just before a rain and carry the water soluble mixes of 25 lbs of Calcium Nitrate and 25 lbs of Ultrasol 20-20-20 or Miller's 20-20-20 leaf stretcher.

Being water soluble they are rated at 15lbs per acre per 20-25 gallons of water. If you get the right rain you may give it a real boost.

You will need a hand spreader because it will spread about like the texture of brown sugar.
You can order these mixes from most co-ops or Deerfield Supplies will have them in stock if you are close to Elkton KY.

 

[JhnDeereMan]

Thinking Calcium building for Lime sake I actually think you would be better to go in with 25lbs of Miller's calcium chelate instead of nitrate. It would probably give you more bang for your buck. It would be more of a shot of calcium and take effect pretty quick. It is water soluble as well.

Best to get it from Deerfield or you may can order directly from Miller.
Here is the link to Miller if you want to research.

Calcium Chelate

Calcium Chelate is for treatment of soils and crops where there is calcium deficiency. Learn about this EDTA chelated micro granule micronutrient formulation.

www.millerchemical.com

 

[Popcorn]

Probably a third to a half mile long.

Thats between 3/10 and 1/2 acre. An acre is 43,560 sq ft. Pull a soil sample to determine ph and needs. If 1 ton per acre is recommended just keep hitting it 200 pounds at a time.

 

[DeerCamp]

So I have a area probably about .25-.5 acre in a remote spot that I have been working on to open up the canopy and get some sun on. I blew all the leaves off down to the dirt. Hoping to get some natural growth growing. I did most of the work in the area back in March-April. Not seeing much of anything going on in this area as opposed to other areas I did the same to. It's about a half mile walk to get to. No other way in. Curious if you all though maybe spraying with liquid lime and liquid fertilizer would be worth doing. It's just too far trying to carry bags of fertilizer and lime over rough terrain. I think it's getting more sun than it was and in July I hack n squirted a bunch so it's only gonna get more I think but didn't know if the lime and fertilizer would help the natural browse. Thanks.

My only advice here is that you will want to make sure you have more sunlight than you first think you will need.

Sun gets low in the fall and growth can really stop quickly.

Definitely going to want lime if it is in the middle of the woods. Fertilizer is dependent, but can't hurt.