To plant some milo sorghum and lablab. More of an experiment to build biomass. I pretty much quit summer plots but this is a small area, about 4500 sq ft. that is level. I let it grow for 2 years and not much happened. I've mowed and limed it pretty good. I'm thinking that the cold nights are over. Would I be jumping the gun to till and plant the spot tomorrow?
Food Plots Too Early?
- Thread starter rifle02
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JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
We planted a corn and Sudan sorghum mix for screening on 3/29 here in western middle TN. I'm sure it's started to sprout. Will know Friday when I get there. Soybeans and dwarf sorghum going in the ground whenever we decide to give up on the turkeys. Probably sometime at the start of may. With the lablab, I might be slightly hesitant planting soybeans this early even though I think we're done with freezing temps. They need warmer soil, but I can also see it working out if the weather cooperates
It's supposed to frost where I am several mornings over the next few days. I wait til May personally or even June.
Supposed to be pretty chilly tonight and then warming up at night but what got me going was the chance of rain Thursday and Friday and then warmer temps. I believe I will wait. At least a week.
27 here this morning. 
BSK
Well-Known Member
I never plant before May 1. Temp at my house is 29 degrees this morning.
For Biomass I'd consider throwing in Buckwheat with it. Not sure where you are located but I'm still a few weeks out from planting in AL. Then another week or so for crimping. My plants are still a few weeks off from the Doe stage.
Better to be a little late vs little early when planting summer plots.
Ground temp is key. My Biologist says wait till soil temp is at least 60 degrees, 2" deep at 9am.
Nothing he has told me over the last few years has been wrong and I've had wonderful success following that rule of thumb.
Hope this helps.
Better to be a little late vs little early when planting summer plots.
Ground temp is key. My Biologist says wait till soil temp is at least 60 degrees, 2" deep at 9am.
Nothing he has told me over the last few years has been wrong and I've had wonderful success following that rule of thumb.
Hope this helps.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Yep - good rule of thumb
I would also suggest, if your PH is 6.5 or better and you have high deer density I'd highly consider planting RR Alfalfa.
There is nothing on this earth, that I have seen or know of that attracts and holds deer like Alfalfa. I planted 5 acres last year and it has been absolutely mind blowing.
Deer browse is so high they keep it down so mowing hadn't been needed.
Plus Alfalfa produces a lot of N, fall planting wheat in it is easy and fail proof. Will be the best looking wheat you've ever seen, it's simply amazing.
Main thing is your PH and plant early spring when we have a lot of rain. After that, sit back and watch in amazement.
Lot of literature online about it. Don't listen to morons who say "You can't grow it here" plenty of people have proven that incorrect. Too many people who have never done it say negative things and push people away from it. If your PH is correct, extremely easy to grow and maintain with high deer density.
There is nothing on this earth, that I have seen or know of that attracts and holds deer like Alfalfa. I planted 5 acres last year and it has been absolutely mind blowing.
Deer browse is so high they keep it down so mowing hadn't been needed.
Plus Alfalfa produces a lot of N, fall planting wheat in it is easy and fail proof. Will be the best looking wheat you've ever seen, it's simply amazing.
Main thing is your PH and plant early spring when we have a lot of rain. After that, sit back and watch in amazement.
Lot of literature online about it. Don't listen to morons who say "You can't grow it here" plenty of people have proven that incorrect. Too many people who have never done it say negative things and push people away from it. If your PH is correct, extremely easy to grow and maintain with high deer density.
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Thanks for the input everyone. I've decided to be cautious and wait at least 2 weeks. I just got excited because I had the day off today and it's supposed to rain a little the next two days.
I feel your pain! I am ready myself.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Same and that's the only reason we planted the little that we did. My cousin couldn't wait even though I had objections
No stones being thrown in this glass house for wanting to already be planting. I certainly live in a no judgement zone there.Same and that's the only reason we planted the little that we did. My cousin couldn't wait even though I had objections
As weird as it sounds, I get more enjoyment out of the "Land Management" aspect of it than I do shooting one.
Don't get me wrong, I still love to shoot them but it's more fun "Growing" them per se.
I know they are not "MY" deer but in a way I feel like they are. I love watching and learning the same deer year after year grow and the rest of the deer herd as a whole "Improve" as the property gets better.
I guess it's a fruit of the labor type deal.
Once he's old enough and I've got him figured out I feel like I've already killed him.
Would much rather a kid or new person go actually shoot him. The excitement and sheer joy they show beats me pulling the trigger any day.
However, it is still exciting to see a new "Big Boy" you know nothing about step out during the rut! They will always have the upper hand in this cat & mouse game we play.
Don't get me wrong, I still love to shoot them but it's more fun "Growing" them per se.
I know they are not "MY" deer but in a way I feel like they are. I love watching and learning the same deer year after year grow and the rest of the deer herd as a whole "Improve" as the property gets better.
I guess it's a fruit of the labor type deal.
Once he's old enough and I've got him figured out I feel like I've already killed him.
Would much rather a kid or new person go actually shoot him. The excitement and sheer joy they show beats me pulling the trigger any day.
However, it is still exciting to see a new "Big Boy" you know nothing about step out during the rut! They will always have the upper hand in this cat & mouse game we play.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Absolutely agree on everything
deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
We don't plant til around the end of April first of May.
I'm in the same boat. Can't wait to start watching stuff grow. I'm trying some new things this year and ready to roll.Same and that's the only reason we planted the little that we did. My cousin couldn't wait even though I had objections
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
Me too. Soybeans and dwarf sorghum planting soon. Look at the wheat and clover bolting from this past weekend. This is my little girl and her Papa
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Great picture.
JCDEERMAN
Well-Known Member
I've got plenty more. She's going with him Friday and Saturday at his place on the plateau. Just got the tripod in the mail today so she will definitely have much more of an advantage. Hoping they have some luck. She saw one of her classmates killed one on the youth and she's dying to level the playing field with him
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
Why in the heck would you want to nuke your annual clovers right when they are exploding? Wait till mid May, when browse is at its peak before you kill your fall plots and plant for summer.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I don't even kill mine. I let it bloom and die naturally. That provides all the seed you will need for next fall.
