Spring/Summer Plot Ideas

[PatinPA]

I planted sunn hemp one year and it came in great until the deer found it and it was back to dirt in just a couple days and never recovered.

I have that problem too. They really hit my plots hard this year. All of the rye/oats/radishes are down to maybe an inch or two tall. I don't have nearly as many deer in the summer though, so I was hoping if I plant a spring/summer plot it will have a lot less pressure.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I have that problem too. They really hit my plots hard this year. All of the rye/oats/radishes are down to maybe an inch or two tall. I don't have nearly as many deer in the summer though, so I was hoping if I plant a spring/summer plot it will have a lot less pressure.

Your rye should be the first thing to bounce back in any warm-ups, so it's always a good thing to have in the ground. Our camp has seeded winter rye & winter wheat together thickly around Labor Day several times. That kept deer fed all winter with 2 kinds of greens to forage in. They dug through snow to feed all winter long, and in the spring, it popped into a dream of a thick green plot. Flat tops on most of the blades showed they were chowing!!

We spring-plant some clover and lots of oats together. Maybe overseed brassicas around July 20th. That's worked pretty well for us.

 

[PatinPA]

Your rye should be the first thing to bounce back in any warm-ups, so it's always a good thing to have in the ground. Our camp has seeded winter rye & winter wheat together thickly around Labor Day several times. That kept deer fed all winter with 2 kinds of greens to forage in. They dug through snow to feed all winter long, and in the spring, it popped into a dream of a thick green plot. Flat tops on most of the blades showed they were chowing!!

We spring-plant some clover and lots of oats together. Maybe overseed brassicas around July 20th. That's worked pretty well for us.

Ya that's what started this thread. I get some growth from the rye in the spring but what makes it to being stalky is pretty sparse. I think if I'm going to try to build up the om I'm going to need a spring/summer planting of something. I saved some rye and oats I believe from the fall to broadcast in the spring. I'm going to mix in some of the other suggestions from here as well. I have 3 small plots so I think I'll experiment with something different in each one to see what works the best.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Ya that's what started this thread. I get some growth from the rye in the spring but what makes it to being stalky is pretty sparse. I think if I'm going to try to build up the om I'm going to need a spring/summer planting of something. I saved some rye and oats I believe from the fall to broadcast in the spring. I'm going to mix in some of the other suggestions from here as well. I have 3 small plots so I think I'll experiment with something different in each one to see what works the best.

Let us know what you plant & how it works out. I'm interested since our camp is only 1 1/2 hours north of your place. We have some north slope areas that would be good to have something planted. I know you're on a N slope, at least on part of your place. Good luck with your experimental plots!!

 

[Telemark]

This summer I'm starting a new plot. The initial mix is peas, beans, milo, forage sorghum, white clover, red clover, crimson clover, balansa, berseem, radishes, turnips, chicory, rape, winfred brassica, forage corn, oats, and two kinds of inoculant. I'm just going to plant it all and see what sticks and what the deer like. Hopefully this will give me an idea of what to focus on in the future on this spot. I have some what and rye to throw down right before I leave. The corn and sorghums will be planted in strips around the edges and through the middle to add structure and screening. I'll spread the beans and peas and harrow them in, then broadcast the small seeds on top and roll it. I am considering using sunflowers as additional screening if I can get a bag at a good price.

 

[PatinPA]

This summer I'm starting a new plot. The initial mix is peas, beans, milo, forage sorghum, white clover, red clover, crimson clover, balansa, berseem, radishes, turnips, chicory, rape, winfred brassica, forage corn, oats, and two kinds of inoculant. I'm just going to plant it all and see what sticks and what the deer like. Hopefully this will give me an idea of what to focus on in the future on this spot. I have some what and rye to throw down right before I leave. The corn and sorghums will be planted in strips around the edges and through the middle to add structure and screening. I'll spread the beans and peas and harrow them in, then broadcast the small seeds on top and roll it. I am considering using sunflowers as additional screening if I can get a bag at a good price.

I like that idea. Is that a premix from somewhere or are you mixing it on your own? My biggest problem getting less readily available seeds is I don't have anywhere I can buy them locally. I'd have to order them online and pay as much to have them shipped as they would actually cost.

 

[Telemark]

I like that idea. Is that a premix from somewhere or are you mixing it on your own? My biggest problem getting less readily available seeds is I don't have anywhere I can buy them locally. I'd have to order them online and pay as much to have them shipped as they would actually cost.

I mixed it myself. I wanted a diverse mix and some reserve to plant next year after I see how it all shakes out. I bought it all from Merit seeds in Berlin, Ohio. They have decent prices and reasonable shipping. I was able to pick up some rye there when I was near there hunting, but I tend to get large bags locally so I don't have to pay the astronomical shipping costs.

I also have some specialty seeds like sainfoin and plantain that I got from Albert Lea. That is mostly for a dry spot that struggles to grow anything other than durana clover and weeds.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

What part of the world are you planting sainfoin and plantain in? If in the U.S. - how are deer liking those 2 crops? Never tried either.