Deer- Clover plots?

You really should get a soil analysis first, plus some advice from experts. Clovers are nitrogen fixing, so triple 10 is not only wasting, but feeding weeds you might not want present. Once your clover is up and in, aggressive mowing allows the clover to beat the weeds to the sun. The other side of the coin is, a good cover for keeping hot sun off the clover while it starts is helpful too, just not those weeds. For example, chicory does good in my area. Again, if you have a farm co-op in your area, try them.

 

Probably gonna have to end up using quite a bit of lime. Get a soil test. Clover needs a lot of babying to do really max out on its potential.

 

The first number in the 10-10-10 is your nitrogen indicator. A 0-12-12 0-15-15 is usually recomended for legumes such as clover.

 

Where I am, clover grows easily. All soil is different though of course. Yes, check out fertilizer online and youll see what those three numbers are...nitrogen is one of them. Nitrogen is goinbg to feed those weeds. BTW...did you roundup the weeds before and after working the ground? lol, now you see why I suggest an expert? The last post mentioned lime too, thus that soil test. The pH is important as well...remember that lime doesnt act immediately though either.

 

Agreed you will need a soil test and I would guess lime. I have planted mutliple plots for myself and others and they all have needed lime. good luck

 

never worried to much about weeds in a food plot, deer love weeds. grasses on the other hand......

 

A soil test is a must. Not only will you get better results, but you will learn quite a bit. I just sent for a soil test to Biologic. The link is below. Costs $7.50

http://www.mossyoakbiologic.com/content.asp?ID=565&section=none

I am putting in about an acre and a half plot at the moment. We spread 4,000 lbs of lime this past weekend and if my instincts are correct, it will need 3 to 4 times that.

A great place to get information on planting a clover plot is qdma.com Go to the forums and read till your eyes hurt ;D There was an excellent article on developing food plots and the importance of lime, fertilizer, and seed in this months North American Whitetail. If you get a chance, pick it up. That will give you a quick education on planting good plots.

 

Contact your 'soil and water district' for a soil test. Ours cost nothing!

 

You could also stop by one of your local farmers and ask them for advice. I am a dairy farmer we farm 500 acres and i grow clover mixed along with other grasses to make hay. These guys about have you covered. Like Bill and others said get your soil samples done that will make you or break you. If you use round up before you turn the ground even if there has been time left for the growth to die you will waste your money because you will turn weed seeds and they will grow once again. Being that clover is a broad leaf. I recommend not tilling it. Spray it first and no-till if you have access to a no-till method but since you have already tilled it you could let it green up then spray and then seed. For a good burn down apply one and a half -two quarts round up or generic glyphosate which is the same product but cheaper than RU per acre and add some dish liquid to your mix that will help the chemical stick to the plant!

 

Why do you make food plots?

 

And another question and don't take this the wrong way, I just wanna know, but what is an average shooter whitetail down there?, what do you see alot of?

 

People who aren't surrounded by farm ground or don't have a feeding area they plant a plot. It provides food, nutrition, and a hunting spot! Who are you asking about the Shooter whitetail average?

 

In my distinct area it ranges. I have a neighbor that shoots only antlered deer. So the ratio of doe to buck is 20-1 when it should be 2-1 so i dont see many bucks but as far as an average goes "where i am" i would say roughly 120" Some i have seen are bigger... few and far between. We have poacher problems too.

 

I'm asking anyone who wishes to reply, I don't know a whole lot about the whitetail down south, but wow 20-1? that nuts! How old are them 120'' deer would you say?

 

The ratio is bad. I tried to get my neighbors to start managing but its a waste. Those deer are around 3 if they make it past button buck killer. Lol. We have alot of open land here so there is plenty for them to eat. That average shooter buck question would make a good new topic on here.

 

That topic is in the archive a few times over, of course, lol. As for the round up, we use it before to kill the stuff, then afterward once the dormant seeds wanna emerge before we plant. He said they cut the weeds down, so Id say no need to pre spray it. He will still be looking at next season before that clover really kicks, if hes needing lime. Ill be willing to bet the clover and chicory might do ok before the lime takes affect, but better later.

Firewater, where would you reccomend looking for a generic source of glyphosate?

Lastly, around me we would rather grow a great thicket for cover, than a clover plot. I LOVE hunting big goldenrod/ragweed fields. Just like inside my deer pens.

 

http://www.ruralking.com/agriculture/agricultural-sprayers-chemicals/agricultural-chemicals-fertilizers/herbicides/drexel-glyphosate-41-plus-30-gallon-drum.html