Derek Reese 29
5 year old buck +
Same experience here…did a field once of just crimson that was extremely thick and pretty the year it was planted then just sparse little “islands” of crimson the next year…
Cafeteria plot experiment
- Thread starter Derek Reese 29
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Derek Reese 29
5 year old buck +
That is pretty! Great workomicron1792
5 year old buck +
Looks awesome Derek
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
Your fields look great, Derek! Critters must be liking them.
Just a thought ...... if you want to let some taller cover for fawn security, maybe let it all go until you get ready to seed brassicas into it - then mow or roll it down on top for moisture-holding mulch?? AG guys know more about this sort of seeding timing / mowing / rolling stuff. We've done that same thing (seed-then roll) with a field of buckwheat with good results. Also a field of rye & clover, over-seeded with brassicas - then mowed. FWIW.
Just a thought ...... if you want to let some taller cover for fawn security, maybe let it all go until you get ready to seed brassicas into it - then mow or roll it down on top for moisture-holding mulch?? AG guys know more about this sort of seeding timing / mowing / rolling stuff. We've done that same thing (seed-then roll) with a field of buckwheat with good results. Also a field of rye & clover, over-seeded with brassicas - then mowed. FWIW.
Derek Reese 29
5 year old buck +
Well I already have a fair bit of fawn cover nearby in about an acre and a half field that I burned last year (that required a call to the FD) that is about 5’ tall with some old hay and some native stuff. I just don’t have super handy access to a mower and want to do all the plots in one swoop..so probably early August..it’s just so thick right now i would love to have it that way going into archery season but also want to seed brassicas and rye later..decisions, decisions right?!?
I have a plot that is in similar scenario & just started expanding a bigger field into a food plot as well.
The established plot I plan to leave the rye, let it go to seed, and let nature run its course on it. I think the cover/shade on the existing clover is going to be a big help especially if we get into a dry spell later in the summer.
I'm planting rye/clover/chicory in the next few weeks... I know the rye will be past prime by hunting season, but I think having a good bit of 3-4ft standing rye in a 3 acre field will give deer a small sense of security and hopefully lure them out earlier in the day. That's a trade off I think I'm willing to make (time will tell if it works or not). I'll over seed it in August with some brassicas & am sure there will be enough open space by then that they'll be able to get going.
One thing may be worth trying is mow half for brassicas and leave the other half as is? If one flops completely, at least the whole plot isn't lost, plus it will give you some feedback on what may or may not work best for the coming years.
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
Isn't it amazing how addictive this habitat stuff becomes once we all get started? You gents in the posts above are all on a good roll. Advice from the AG-experienced guys really helps us all get a jump on our plot success. I gotta say ..... it's a very cool process - even to watch on this forum!!!
Derek Reese 29
5 year old buck +
I tell people I’m an amateur farmer because growing stuff for deer and turkey is a lot easier than other livestock haha
