Fertilizing Deer Plots

[Boeing]

Could I get some direction here....
Last summer I plowed, raked, disked and de- rocked (almost) about 2 acres on the TOP of my land and along the sides of my new road. In Sept I spread RYE, CHICKORY, CLOVER, ALFALFA and RAPE.
We had a few thunderstorms and they grew about 3". There were many areas where nothing grew so I spread MORE seed in Oct. There were several rains but the seed has just sat....nothing.
I plan on going back in March and am looking for suggestions. Should I spread fertilizer or more seed? Or is March too early to do anything?
Thanks:confused2:

 

[jk96]

Probably need to start with a soil analysis to see what you need.

 

[F250DSLPWR]

Just as above, start with a soil analysis. Dig up a little dirt from several areas of the field mix together in a bucket and then send in for analysis. When you get the analysis back it will tell you how much lime, and fertilizer you need to add to get the soil ready. Add the needed soil admendments and till in. Next, when you plant your seed you need to plant it at the right depth, a lot of times the small seeds get planted to deep. Plant them at the right depth and then go over with a cultipacker to ensure good seed to soil contact. The next part needed is rain or irrigation. When the seed starts to come up, stake down a wire basket so that you can see how much the field is getting eaten.

 

[teg]

...so I spread MORE seed in Oct. There were several rains but the seed has just sat....nothing...

How old is the seed? was it stored correctly? ...and did you follow directions on the bag for planting? I'm looking to do this next year for myself... so did you cover the seed (with straw or dirt) at all.

 

[Boeing]

I had gotten a soil survey the previous summer calling for nitrogen and potash. the PH was 7.6
I put down 300# of granulated lime that fall (two falls ago)

The seed was new in August.....I planted most of it in Sept. and mixed 120# of 10-10-10 fert. with it. That is the seed that did grow in about 90% of the area. The remaining seed stayed in the same bags for another month and the second half was planted with NO fertilizer.
In both seed spreadings the seed was just strewn over the disked dirt, not covered at all. All I have is a DISK and a SPREADER.....nor anything to cover 2 acres of seed with. It's frequently too windy to blow hay over and other coverings are too expensive.
My questions are actually what to do NEXT visit.....(March)

 

[mroldstyle]

I had gotten a soil survey the previous summer calling for nitrogen and potash. the PH was 7.6
I put down 300# of granulated lime that fall (two falls ago)

The seed was new in August.....I planted most of it in Sept. and mixed 120# of 10-10-10 fert. with it. That is the seed that did grow in about 90% of the area. The remaining seed stayed in the same bags for another month and the second half was planted with NO fertilizer.
In both seed spreadings the seed was just strewn over the disked dirt, not covered at all. All I have is a DISK and a SPREADER.....nor anything to cover 2 acres of seed with. It's frequently too windy to blow hay over and other coverings are too expensive.
My questions are actually what to do NEXT visit.....(March)

If your ph was 7.6 it shouldn't need any lime. 7.0 is neutral more will only make it more alkaline. Probably better than acidotic though. You need to be able to cover those seeds, how deep will depend on the size of the seed. For rye, spread it after you disk and then go back across with your disk just barely turning soil, more of a hit and miss type deal. The goal is to get the seed about 3/4 to 1" deep. then go back and pack the soil, a cultipacker works best, or a lawn roller if you cant get a cultipacker. Back and forth with a four wheeler will work but time consuming. Next spread your small seeds and just pack in. They don't need to be covered just good soil contact. If a good rain is forecast soon that will probably suffice to get your soil contact. You should fertilize according to soil test and work it in with your disk to begin with. Did you put in rye grain or rye grass? Also brassicas will work best in fall, not the spring.
Check out the QDMA forums for all kinds of info.
Have fun
Merry Christmas.

remember the Reason for the Season!

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Spread some rye grass where no seeds have come up and drag over them with anything you can come up with, old piece of chain link fence with a couple of blocks on top for added weight, or your drag that you normally use behind your harrow, anything to get a little dirt on top of those small seeds is better than nothing. And as others stated a soil analysis or ph test is invaluable and can be usually done for free or minimal cost from your local agricultural extension office or local farm center. Sorry I just saw where you had a soil test already, I missed that.

 

[mroldstyle]

Spread some rye grass where no seeds have come up and drag over them with anything you can come up with, old piece of chain link fence with a couple of blocks on top for added weight, or your drag that you normally use behind your harrow, anything to get a little dirt on top of those small seeds is better than nothing. And as others stated a soil analysis or ph test is invaluable and can be usually done for free or minimal cost from your local agricultural extension office or local farm center. Sorry I just saw where you had a soil test already, I missed that.

I don't think rye grass is recommended for food plot. I think he wants rye grain

 

[EddieWalker]

Was anything growing in those dead areas before you started? Some areas are just dead and no amount of fertilizer will do anything. Soil has to have organic material in it for plants to grow. Fertilizer will adjust and improve teh soil, but it won't make solve extreme problems. Sometimes you just need to bring in some good topsoil.

Eddie

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I don't think rye grass is recommended for food plot. I think he wants rye grain

That's funny we use it around here all the time in food plots, mixed 50/50 with Wrens Abruzzi Rye especially in wet areas, my point was to get something growing there, rye grass will come up fairly easily, so I'm not sure what all you are confused about.