Plantain in plots

[Bowsnbucks]

Have any of you gents ever planted plantain as an addition to your deer plots, as a mineral-mining forb and soil improver?? I've seen wild rabbits hammer plantain, and even had pet rabbits go nuts for them. Thinking they must be nutrient-rich?? I think SD5155 posted some video links on natural soil regeneration that mentioned plantain as a beneficial forb. Around here - it's just a weed. If it's good for deer in a mixed plot with other plot crops - I can get free seed! All input is welcome.

 

[SD51555]

I don't have any pictures handy, but if you're planting a perennial plot, especially with compaction issues, I'd throw in 1-2 lbs/ac of boston plantain.

It's a secondary plant, in that it'll never dominate anything. But it gets eaten the same time chicory gets eaten in the fall, and that's usually right before the deer start on white clover for me.

Broadleaves are always the tough one in perennial plots. I usually have to take what nature gives me, and I get a lot thankfully, and the deer eat them all, except thistle and common mullen.

The ones I get for free are dandelion, buttercup, fleabane, black eyed susan, and willowherb. I have to pay for chicory and plantain, but once they are there, they've endured.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I don't have any pictures handy, but if you're planting a perennial plot, especially with compaction issues, I'd throw in 1-2 lbs/ac of boston plantain.

It's a secondary plant, in that it'll never dominate anything. But it gets eaten the same time chicory gets eaten in the fall, and that's usually right before the deer start on white clover for me.

Broadleaves are always the tough one in perennial plots. I usually have to take what nature gives me, and I get a lot thankfully, and the deer eat them all, except thistle and common mullen.

The ones I get for free are dandelion, buttercup, fleabane, black eyed susan, and willowherb. I have to pay for chicory and plantain, but once they are there, they've endured.

Where do you buy your Boston plantain seed?

 

[Stubborn1VT]

I was looking at a strip in my plot where I frost seeded chicory. Some of the chicory took, but it's looking mighty pale thanks to the unending rain. Found some plantain that came up on its own that looked happy enough. I like the idea of plantain in a clover plot. You're going to end up with broadleaves, might as well choose which ones.

 

[SD51555]

Where do you buy your Boston plantain seed?

My first stop is Green cover. If their prices are crazy, I’ll then look at Outside Pride.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bigboreblr]

A mix iof plants is always good. I consider my plantain as an insurance policy. That stuff can survive a nuclear bomb.... Junk soil, drought, roundup sprays it behaves like clover, soil compaction, and mild vehicle traffic. Doesn't fight other plants for light. Can survive under a good crop of rye too.

 

[bigboreblr]

 

[bigboreblr]

The top pic is in a low spot in my foodplot. It was underwater for 5 days. The 2nd pic is next to a tree planting spot on the edge of my foodplot. Gives you an idea of more ideal conditions.

There are 2 major types, the common wide roundish leaf plantain, and the skinny longer leaf english plantain. Boston is the english type.

I picked seeds and planted this stuff from my home to up at camp in zone 3 sandy soil and parking area between the trees. Deer are interested in this after a good frost or two. Small game like rabbits eat it anytime.

Northern guys, yeah not bad to have. Southern folks when the summer kills off lot of things, this is perfect. The deer will eat it down there when things get bad.

Not sure if gren cover makes a rought resistant blend, but adding this can be very helpful.

Far as flood resistance, it's it up there there with clovers. Might be a bit better. that low spot is right when my drainage channel is in my plot. Year after year more plantain than clover. I seed clover every year and let the clover grow matures seeds before 2 or 3 mowings a year.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

The top pic is in a low spot in my foodplot. It was underwater for 5 days. The 2nd pic is next to a tree planting spot on the edge of my foodplot. Gives you an idea of more ideal conditions.

There are 2 major types, the common wide roundish leaf plantain, and the skinny longer leaf english plantain. Boston is the english type.

I picked seeds and planted this stuff from my home to up at camp in zone 3 sandy soil and parking area between the trees. Deer are interested in this after a good frost or two. Small game like rabbits eat it anytime.

Northern guys, yeah not bad to have. Southern folks when the summer kills off lot of things, this is perfect. The deer will eat it down there when things get bad.

Not sure if gren cover makes a rought resistant blend, but adding this can be very helpful.

Far as flood resistance, it's it up there there with clovers. Might be a bit better. that low spot is right when my drainage channel is in my plot. Year after year more plantain than clover. I seed clover every year and let the clover grow matures seeds before 2 or 3 mowings a year.

Do the deer eat it through the spring & summer? I was trying to see chomped-off blades in your pics, but didn't notice any. Deer here eat chicory for sure. The toughness and mineral-source of plantain are positives I would think.

 

[bigboreblr]

It's not used much here at home until it frosts, then deer eat it. I tried taking a pic of it in december last year, all nibbled up. Seen deer camera pics with it in their mouths in the fall too. Still good in my book. Early spring the rye grows well. Here in NY deer have many options to eat in the summer. sometimes see them cruising the perimeter looking for grape leaves in the brush, going right past a nice clover plot. Even seen them in soybean fields looking for certain weeds / shrubs on the edges too.

At camp it gets browsed during the summer. Likely snowshoe hare. Ever since I put that mix in the cabin area, folks been seeing htem in the summer often.

Settlers in the midwest, particuarly english and irish origins brought dandelion seeds with them from europe. Added that up there too.

A member of the club keeps fiddling with the lawn lot area with his new tractor. I may make a nicer "lunchable lawn" blend next time he wrecks it up. Pick some stuff from outsidepride and green cover. At home I got 7 acre to mow and only a 1/2 acre foodplot. Been trying to get the 7 acres more and more desirable for wildlife.

 

[Electrodigical]

You have to change the title.
Every time I scroll by I stop and picture...