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Low pH, Low Organic Matter.
- Thread starter pilotpip
- Start date
It was when we looked at the property in early January it was clearly browsed but I'd say it was up to the laces on my boots. Once the snows hit it was gone (North Central Missouri).
I'm heading up there tomorrow for a few days of "work" and relaxation with the kids on spring break. By work I mean getting my camper set up and learning how to use this Kubota I just bought to spread some gravel. One of the things on my agenda is to get a sample for my upper field. I may just get a second one on this one while I'm at it. Another point on the agenda is to get some pictures for a "land tour"
I appreciate the inputs. I'm a city dweller and this is purely fun for me. Buckwheat was part of the plan because my daughter loves pollinators (save the bees and whatnot) and I've never planted it before.
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Telemark
5 year old buck +
Make sure you follow the directions when collecting the soil
When I get my native forb blend put.together, I can send you a little bit for a flower patch for her. In the mean time, you could try perennials like Jerusalem artichoke, oldfield aster, and coneflower, which are good for deer and bees.
There's a good overall benefit to having a permanent stand of wildflowers on your property. You can also buy Mason bees and leaf cutter bees, but make sure not to put them too close to your house or shed. I have put out both types anywhere I have fruit trees or food plots.
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
Old time farmers would plant buckwheat on newly turned-over ground that were fallow fields prior to tillage. Our camp planted it when we first tried to plant anything on old fallow fields, and it grew without fuss on poor soil. Buckwheat needs warm soil to germinate, so we planted ours mid-May after frost left the soil & temps were warmer. We usually plant some every year. Deer eat it, bees love it, it helps keep weeds down, and it builds the soil with added OM.
Grain rye is also a great thing to plant. It grows in less-than-ideal soil, sends a deep root system, and adds OM, too.
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
Curious about your comment about not putting mason bees near your house. My wife and I have had mason bees in our firewood piles for several years with no problems. No damage to the house, and they're pretty docile bees. I've had my head right inside the wood shelter, with bees hitting me in the head/landing on me ...... with no stings. Web sites about solitary bees (like mason & leaf-cutters) say, since they aren't defending a nest with a queen, they don't typically sting. My wife isn't even afraid of them.
What is your cautionary comment about? Not picking ..... just curious. I'm always open to learning new things!
Telemark
5 year old buck +
The bees aren't harmful to people, but their habit of filling holes with dirt and larvae can be irritating. I've had them fill screw holes in electronics, for example. I went to take the top off a trolling motor, and for the life of me I could not get the last screw out. Turns out the mason bees had put dirt and babies in the hole, which gummed up the head of the screw.
I have also stuck my face right up to their "house" and not been stung. No problem with the insects themselves. Like I said, I put them in every orchard and food plot I create. I just find their breeding behavior can be annoying if they are released too close to a garage, barn, house, etc., where they might deposit unwanted material where it's not welcome.
Northwoods Whitetails
A good 3 year old buck
Plant spring soil builders (multi species) and plenty of lime asap.
Fall plots would be grains with buckwheat. Witn ph that low, consider liquid fertilizers. Spray directly on to growing plants instead of granular on the ground.
Fall plots would be grains with buckwheat. Witn ph that low, consider liquid fertilizers. Spray directly on to growing plants instead of granular on the ground.
