Food Plot - Gonna give it a try

[Nailhead]

Thats what I would do.

You mention a disc, but what other equipment do you have? 3pt spreader? Roller?

Most everything we have is 3 pt. We have a small disc, root rake, blade, tiller, and a single plow. I had actually forgotten about all the implements my Step Dad had at his place cause it has been so long since we last had a place we could use them.

Only seed spreaders I have are the little lawn push around one and the Solo I bought last week to broadcast the clover with.

Would like to have a cultipacker or something similar cause I think that would be a cool piece of equipment after seeing Unclefish's results with his. There was one on Craigslist the other day but they wanted over $2k for it and not ready to throw down that kind of cash for something I may or may not use very often.

[unclefish]

You soil looks very sandy from your pic.....I think a spray, throw, and mow would work well for your field. I would up the seeding rate for everything but those small seeded plants just need to be broadcast on top and let the rain do the rest.

I didn't even use my cultipacker this fall and got great results...but I have alot of thatch which helps.

I'm with Palmetto...plant everything in a mix and see how it turns out.

[Nailhead]

You soil looks very sandy from your pic.....I think a spray, throw, and mow would work well for your field. I would up the seeding rate for everything but those small seeded plants just need to be broadcast on top and let the rain do the rest.

I didn't even use my cultipacker this fall and got great results...but I have alot of thatch which helps.

I'm with Palmetto...plant everything in a mix and see how it turns out.

Thanks for the input. I'd like to get your opinion on what I have bought and if you think it is enough.

My area is about an acre. Currently I have the following:

5 lb Rackmaster Durana Clover
3 lb Tecatome Chicory
5 lb Siberian Kale (should be here tomorrow)
100 lbs Elbon Rye (if it comes this week at the feed store)

I know the clover and chicory are supposed to do an acre, but I am guessing probably not quite. I assume the kale will be in the same boat. For the Rye the guy at the feed store said 80 lbs per acre or 70% of that if in a mix. Im not worried about the overage cause I have other places on the rnach I can plant the excess rye if need be.

Do I have enough or do I need to pick up some more? I havent planted really before and no nothing on seeding rates.

[unclefish]

You have plenty! Especially for a mix. The kale may take over everything if the deer don't find it at first. Once it is eaten then the rye will take off.

I planted that mix (plus 50lbs of oats) but it was over 2 acres. You should be good to go.

[Nailhead]

You have plenty! Especially for a mix. The kale may take over everything if the deer don't find it at first. Once it is eaten then the rye will take off.

I planted that mix (plus 50lbs of oats) but it was over 2 acres. You should be good to go.

Thanks! I was worried about that on the Kale cause it is so leafy. Should I back it down to 3 lbs maybe to keep it from overpowering? Or just let it be and if the deer arent eating it go back and mow over to let the rye take over?

[unclefish]

Either one would work. I would probably plant the whole thing since we are getting late in the season for good growth.

[Palmetto]

You could always just plant the kale around the perimeter. That's what I did with my turnips last year. I made one pass around the perimeter with my bag speeder.

It's a learning process. That's what keeps us coming back each year! next year u can start earlier, & you will have it all figured out....lol.

[wreckem04]

what kind of Fertilizer do ya'll use or recommend on a Oats food plot? seed was planted about a month ago and its already coming up I just want to give it that push to maximize growth going into the season. i have 3, 1 acre plots in north red river county.

[Palmetto]

Depends on what kind of soil you have. Call your county extension agent and see if they have any recomendations.

I have good success with 300#/acre of 13-13-13 on my plots on the coast.

[deer farmer]

Watch the weather and add the 13-13-13 just before a rain. Or u might burn some of the plants.

[Nailhead]

Well, made a little progress today. I got the Chicory, Kale, and Clover planted today. Hopefully we will get some rain in the next couple weeks and get this kicked off. Still no luck getting the rye. I think at this point i will hold off on it till next year and see what this other is gonna do.

[Nailhead]

Got my soil results in from Texas A&M today. Looks pretty good.....I think. PH - 7.1 is definitely a good start. And it looks like with a mix with clover I dont have to add much to the soil. I guess Rye grass and cereal Rye take the same things unless they didnt realize Elbon Rye isnt Rye Grass. Oh well. I didnt plant the Rye this year so we will see how it goes.

Will post pics of the reports in a bit. Wont load from my phone for some reason.

[Backwoods101]

Sounds good, I need to quit talking about it and send a sample in.

[Nailhead]

Here are the reports. I don't know much about reading these sample reports, but it looks decent to me. I'm just excited I don't have to spread lime.

Let me know what yall think.

[EastTexasMan]

Looks good. I'd just throw some 13-13-13 on it and let it ride.