The more I think about what to do, the more indecisive I get! Figured I would throw some information at you all and see what you guys would do in my shoes. I have never planted perennials before, but am considering it this year. I have never planted in the spring, but would like to plant one or two of the four spots this spring if possible. Between work, coaching baseball, a kid and life in general, it is hard for me to find time in the spring to get things planted. It seems I usually catch a break around late July and that is what has made fall plantings the preference for me to date. Now that I have an ATV sprayer with boom, pull behind spreader, and a 65hp tractor with 5' tiller at my disposal, my ability to plant is greater than ever. At this point, the only thing holding me back is time, money, and deciding what to plant!!!
I just drew representative green blobs on the maps. They are in no way to scale. I will also include some past pictures of these plots for reference. They have all been planted at one time or another, but never in unison.
Food Plot 1:
This is a plot that was last planted in an cereal grain mixture in 2008. I called it the "Corner Pocket" since it is situated on the inside corner of the woods that is mirrored by the topography. The ridge rolls off in to the creek bottoms below on the west and north sides. To the south is about a 1/2 acre of thick bedding that is part of my network of sanctuaries. There are a few oaks around this field edge as well. The stand location here will take advantage of the prevailing SW winds, with access coming down the east side of the corn, then wrapping around the north side of the corn. This will be the first year for any type of planting in this field for as long as we know. With 3 acres of standing corn roughly 10' in elevation above this location, this food plot offers ample security. There is no way I can get this plot planted until fall and am considering another cereal grain/clover blend here.
Total Plot Size: 80' x 150'. 12,000 square feet or .28 acres.
Food Plot 2:
This is a small, secluded hunting plot on an oak ridge. I will plant this spot in the fall and would welcome suggestions on seed blends to fit this type of situation. In the past, this has been planted in Evolved Harvest Throw & Gro, and Whitetail Institute Secret Spot. Neither blend knocked my socks off.
Total Plot Size: 20' x 150'. 3,000 square feet or .07 acres.
Food Plot 3:
This was a new plot last year and one I will expand just a little this year. It was planted in Merit Seed Groundhog Radishes and did not do all that well. Part of that is my fault because I did not test the soil. The reasoning behind this plot was because I hung a buddy stand just above this in the wood line as an observation stand. I have given a little thought to planting Whitetail Institute Power Plant right here to aid in covering deer as they transition from one wood line to the next. However with 60+ acres of beans to the north, I'm not sure this is a wise use of my resources. I get a lot of deer walking through this spot, so it is nice to have something here for them to stop and eat on.
Total Plot Size: 50' x 150'. 7,500 square feet or .17 acres.
Food Plot 4:
This is the biggest and best of my spots. The soil here is awesome and I was blown away at how well everything grew here last year. I planted this in a mix of the Merit Groundhog Radishes and Biologic Outfitters Blend. While the growth was amazing, usage left a little to be desired. All in all, I believe I am done planting food plots in radish/brassica blends unless they account for a small percentage of the seed blend. I hope to expand this plot this year so that it can act as another primary food source for deer transitioning from the beans as they dry up, to acorns/corn. Ideally, I'd like for this to be a complete blend of cereal grains, clover, and more.
Total Plot Size: 60' x 300'. 18,000 square feet or .40 acres.
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In total, I will have around 1 acre of food to go with the 3 acres of corn that will be on our farm. It is not near what I would like to have on our 80 acres, but it is better than nothing. I am also competing with major amounts of beans and corn within a short walk of our farm, so there is not sense in going TOO crazy. Ideally if I were to plant a spring blend, it would be in Plots 3 and 4. At some point, I hope to have the majority of the creek bottom where Plot 4 is located planted in strips. I can plant 3 20' wide, 450' long strips of corn, beans, and a food plot blend on a rotation. It will take some time, but I will accomplish this at some point. Once I get to that point, I am building a 16' tower blind down there that will be big enough to comfortably sit 3-4 people!!!
So if it were you guys, what would you be looking to do here?
I just drew representative green blobs on the maps. They are in no way to scale. I will also include some past pictures of these plots for reference. They have all been planted at one time or another, but never in unison.
Food Plot 1:
This is a plot that was last planted in an cereal grain mixture in 2008. I called it the "Corner Pocket" since it is situated on the inside corner of the woods that is mirrored by the topography. The ridge rolls off in to the creek bottoms below on the west and north sides. To the south is about a 1/2 acre of thick bedding that is part of my network of sanctuaries. There are a few oaks around this field edge as well. The stand location here will take advantage of the prevailing SW winds, with access coming down the east side of the corn, then wrapping around the north side of the corn. This will be the first year for any type of planting in this field for as long as we know. With 3 acres of standing corn roughly 10' in elevation above this location, this food plot offers ample security. There is no way I can get this plot planted until fall and am considering another cereal grain/clover blend here.
Total Plot Size: 80' x 150'. 12,000 square feet or .28 acres.
Food Plot 2:
This is a small, secluded hunting plot on an oak ridge. I will plant this spot in the fall and would welcome suggestions on seed blends to fit this type of situation. In the past, this has been planted in Evolved Harvest Throw & Gro, and Whitetail Institute Secret Spot. Neither blend knocked my socks off.
Total Plot Size: 20' x 150'. 3,000 square feet or .07 acres.
Food Plot 3:
This was a new plot last year and one I will expand just a little this year. It was planted in Merit Seed Groundhog Radishes and did not do all that well. Part of that is my fault because I did not test the soil. The reasoning behind this plot was because I hung a buddy stand just above this in the wood line as an observation stand. I have given a little thought to planting Whitetail Institute Power Plant right here to aid in covering deer as they transition from one wood line to the next. However with 60+ acres of beans to the north, I'm not sure this is a wise use of my resources. I get a lot of deer walking through this spot, so it is nice to have something here for them to stop and eat on.
Total Plot Size: 50' x 150'. 7,500 square feet or .17 acres.
Food Plot 4:
This is the biggest and best of my spots. The soil here is awesome and I was blown away at how well everything grew here last year. I planted this in a mix of the Merit Groundhog Radishes and Biologic Outfitters Blend. While the growth was amazing, usage left a little to be desired. All in all, I believe I am done planting food plots in radish/brassica blends unless they account for a small percentage of the seed blend. I hope to expand this plot this year so that it can act as another primary food source for deer transitioning from the beans as they dry up, to acorns/corn. Ideally, I'd like for this to be a complete blend of cereal grains, clover, and more.
Total Plot Size: 60' x 300'. 18,000 square feet or .40 acres.
__________________________________________________
In total, I will have around 1 acre of food to go with the 3 acres of corn that will be on our farm. It is not near what I would like to have on our 80 acres, but it is better than nothing. I am also competing with major amounts of beans and corn within a short walk of our farm, so there is not sense in going TOO crazy. Ideally if I were to plant a spring blend, it would be in Plots 3 and 4. At some point, I hope to have the majority of the creek bottom where Plot 4 is located planted in strips. I can plant 3 20' wide, 450' long strips of corn, beans, and a food plot blend on a rotation. It will take some time, but I will accomplish this at some point. Once I get to that point, I am building a 16' tower blind down there that will be big enough to comfortably sit 3-4 people!!!
So if it were you guys, what would you be looking to do here?
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