| So you're thinking of starting a food plot? I | | | | wait until new growth begins and I begin to |
| found myself in that same situation about two | | | | kill the weeds. I like to go to the local |
| years ago when I cleared my first plot. In | | | | garden center and buy a weed and brush |
| the area of deer management and food plots I | | | | killer. I use round up because you can plant |
| was like most beginners. I had no clue where | | | | two weeks after you use it. I buy the |
| to start or what my final plan was going to | | | | concentrate and mix it, as I need it. If you |
| be. | | | | have ever seen what can happen to an area |
| | | | once all the bigger trees have been removed |
| This article can be seen as a starting point | | | | you know first hand how rapidly the under |
| for people who are thinking of starting a | | | | brush can grow up. This is one reason why I |
| food plot, and incorporating it into their | | | | like to wait at least one season before I |
| current deer management plan. This article is | | | | plant any thing. Once the new growth begins |
| not based on any research and I am by no | | | | it is very vital that you attack the brush |
| means an expert in the area - this is simply | | | | and keep it under control. Simply mix your |
| what I did and what I continue to do. I would | | | | brush killer in the quantity you need and |
| like to be able to help people start their | | | | spray the area well. This step is not |
| plan by giving them some tips and thoughts. | | | | required but I would advise you to take it. I |
| The 300 hundred-acre farm that I hunt | | | | would hate to see you spend all that time, |
| currently has 4 food plots and more in the | | | | money, and hard work on clearing the site |
| works. So as I try and learn new things I | | | | just to have the under brush take over the |
| will add it this page, for now I will give | | | | newly planted food plot seed you lay down. |
| you a starting point and some things to | | | | |
| consider. | | | | Once you have your plot clear and most of the |
| | | | brush killed off it is now time to start |
| The first thing that must be done before | | | | planting. You should have an idea by now as |
| anything else is plan what you would like to | | | | to what kind of seed you would like to plant. |
| accomplish. Here you can simply look at the | | | | There are a lot of different types of food |
| land you have available and determine how | | | | plot mix on the market and the final choice |
| many food plots you want and what size you | | | | is yours. I have two food plots that have |
| would like to make them. Another very | | | | nothing but Ladino clover in them. I have |
| important factor is location. You should try | | | | another plot that gets a mixture of clover, |
| to find a location that has a nearby water | | | | wheat, rye, and turnips that gets replanted |
| supply, and provides cover from both the | | | | every spring. The fourth food plot that I am |
| weather and predators. Once you have a clear | | | | working on is going to be a mini apple |
| plan such as where you would like to place | | | | orchard with clover and grass in between the |
| your plots and how big you want them, | | | | trees. Other types of things that work well |
| clearing the plots will start. | | | | for food plots are alfalfa, corn, soybeans, |
| | | | lespedeza, chufa, or Milo. Another helpful |
| Tree and brush removal is very labor | | | | tip is before you buy any seed check with |
| intensive and can be quite expensive and will | | | | your state conservation department and see if |
| often lead to unfinished plots. You should | | | | they have a program that helps private land |
| find a location with the least amount of | | | | owners acquire seed. Before you plant your |
| trees and brush as possible. When I look for | | | | plot it would be a good idea to test your |
| a new area I try to locate areas that have | | | | soil for the proper PH level, and to see what |
| been logged before and have grown up with | | | | types of nutrients you will need to add. Most |
| thick brush (This may not be an option for | | | | garden centers have a do it yourself soil |
| some people unless your land has been logged | | | | testing kit. The ones I have seen seem pretty |
| off). I do this because most of the clearing | | | | easy to use. I use the PH meter made by |
| I do is by hand with a chain saw, brush | | | | Rapitest, it is simple to use and I am happy |
| cutters, and a tractor and brush hog. Here is | | | | with the performance of this product. Once |
| a tip that you could consider. Depending on | | | | you have tested your soil you can plant the |
| how big your plot is and how big the trees | | | | mix you have decided on. Fertilize the soil |
| are, you could try to sell the logs that are | | | | according to the test results and the type of |
| there to earn some money to help fund your | | | | mix you picked out. |
| project. | | | | |
| | | | You now have a food plot that is well on its |
| Ok now that you have your area picked out and | | | | way to providing your deer herd with the |
| cleared now is the time to prepare the site. | | | | nutrients they need to survive. With some |
| I will tell you what I do in this stage but | | | | maintenance, your new plot will supply |
| the final decision is yours and the situation | | | | wildlife with food for years to come. Have |
| you have. Once I have a food plot cleared I | | | | Fun. |