Zone 4/5, June planting, drought resistant crop?

[Telemark]

I have a small plot with thin soil that can get pretty dry in July-August. It had a type of grass, which I terminated with gly. I need something there that deer will eat. I can plant in June/July 2020 or possibly November 2020. Anyone have a solution?

 

[Barndog56]

Red clover has no problems with dry periods. I would plant it now with rye, wheat, or oats to act as a nurse crop.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

chicory or milo

 

[Telemark]

Thanks, guys. I think I will plant a mix of those. Maybe I'll keep the milo along the edges.

Do ruffed grouse like milo?

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

Thanks, guys. I think I will plant a mix of those. Maybe I'll keep the milo along the edges.

Do ruffed grouse like milo?

no idea. the deer on our place havent even touched it yet.

 

[Telemark]

I think this will work at my buddy's place too. But before we go and order seeds, I'd like to confirm a few things:

Is "medium red clover" what I want?
Is there a certain type of chicory i should use?
What rate per acre should I plant for a clover, chickory, nurse grain mix?
When should I mow the grain down? Or can I leave the grain standing?

 

[Bowman]

FWIW, I am not a glyphosate fan. Since you already killed the grass, I would frost seed an annual clover before spring green up. After frost threat has passed in the spring, I would mow the clover to "set it back" and then broadcast buckwheat. Maybe the clover and buckwheat will set seed. In August, I would seed a perennial clover, rye cereal grain and radish. I am not a monoculture guy. You will get plenty of advice and information on this site.

Frost seed Balansa Fixation clover 5-8 lbs/acre

Post frost Buckwheat 40–90 lbs./ac

Fall planting Rye 50 lbs,/ acre
Ladino clover 3 lbs. / acre
Forage radish 3 lbs / acre

Additional info: I had frost in June. Followed by drought and stunted growth. Fall is great time to establish perennials. There is much information on this site. Good luck.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

FWIW, I am not a glyphosate fan. Since you already killed the grass, I would frost seed an annual clover before spring green up. After frost threat has passed in the spring, I would mow the clover to "set it back" and then broadcast buckwheat. Maybe the clover and buckwheat will set seed. In August, I would seed a perennial clover, rye cereal grain and radish. I am not a monoculture guy. You will get plenty of advice and information on this site.

Frost seed Balansa Fixation clover 5-8 lbs/acre

Post frost Buckwheat 40–90 lbs./ac

Fall planting Rye 50 lbs,/ acre
Ladino clover 3 lbs. / acre
Forage radish 3 lbs / acre

Additional info: I had frost in June. Followed by drought and stunted growth. Fall is great time to establish perennials. There is much information on this site. Good luck.

FWIW I tried to frost seed Balansa last year with little to no success. I think a plain medium red would be a better fit for frost seeding.

I like Oasis chicory but 2 years ago I went half and half Oasis and Forb Feast for some diversity thinking one of them would out perform the other at certain times of the year
NOTE: I go heavier on the chicory than the clover to make sure there isn't an excess N issue. I think that helps with weed competition.
https://welterseed.com/inventory/forb-feast-chicory/
https://welterseed.com/inventory/oasis-chicory/

As for red clover go with a mix of Freedom MR and Marathon again when one is peaking the other may not be getting hit and vice versa.
Marathon is a good fit for Norther climates and Freedom MR has been bread for "increased" winter hardyness. (for what specific zone im not sure)
https://welterseed.com/inventory/freedom-mr-red-clover-w-apex-green/
https://welterseed.com/inventory/marathon-red-clover/

Dont forget about white clovers.

I prefer Alice and it is by far the best white clover for us northern guys.
https://welterseed.com/inventory/alice-white-clover-w-nitro-coat-organic/

 

[Telemark]

Thanks for the info