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