food plot implement advice

8ball3290 · Apr 25, 2008

Howdy again... got some more questions. Have a YM2000 that i picked up last year to assist in planting of my plots as i wasnt having good luck getting the penetration into the ground with my atv. I made a 1 row cultivator using s tines to help break up the ground. I have been looking into 5ft discs and rotary tillers. I have come across a used but in near perfect condition John Deere 1 bottom 12 in. mold board plow at a good price.
Should i pick up the bottom plow, and if so would i still need a set of discs? Is there any reason to pick up the plow since i have the home made cultivator and plan to get a set of discs?? thanks dave

Coyote · Apr 25, 2008

I have a YM 2000 also, and plant food plots from 2 acres to 1/4 acre plots on my land. I use a box blade if it is "new" ground, as in reclaimed from the forest. I'll put the rippers down all the way and tear up the ground really well. Then a disk harrow, mine is known as a bog harrow which means larger diameter disks, and heavy frame. I don't even own a plow. Food plot seeds don't need to buried more than 1/2 inch in most cases, so disk is all you need. If I had the money for only one of the above it would be the disk. Enough passes even on new ground and you've got soil you broadcast seed on. Hope that helps, check my old posts for photos of plots.

dixie306 · Apr 25, 2008

Coyote said:
I have a YM 2000 also, and plant food plots from 2 acres to 1/4 acre plots on my land. I use a box blade if it is "new" ground, as in reclaimed from the forest. I'll put the rippers down all the way and tear up the ground really well. Then a disk harrow, mine is known as a bog harrow which means larger diameter disks, and heavy frame. I don't even own a plow. Food plot seeds don't need to buried more than 1/2 inch in most cases, so disk is all you need. If I had the money for only one of the above it would be the disk. Enough passes even on new ground and you've got soil you broadcast seed on. Hope that helps, check my old posts for photos of plots.

2 acres is about the size of my larger ones, I picked up a set of all purpose plows a long time ago and use them like you do the box blade, then disced the fire out of the soil using a bog harrow, we had some of them where the soil was almost like sugar when we finished. I bought a five ft tiller then sold it and bought six fter and I have to admit, while its slower to use, its sure nice to just make one pass. I have a link posted on my profile if you guys would like to see some pics of our plots. Discs or a tiller is the way to go if your looking at using only implement to plow with

N80 · Apr 25, 2008

I have smaller plots, 1/4 to 1/2 acres and got by with just the box blade for a couple of years and did okay. Last year I lucked into a 2 bottom plow but we had an awful drought and things didn't turn out too well.

I just completed my spring planting after purchasing a 7' lift disk.

The plow has just been great. The soil is clay and was very compacted. The plow digs and turns the vegetation under. Then I disked the tar out of the plots several weeks after plowing and now have a really nice seed bed. I think the disk and bottom plow are a great combo for me. I've planted sunflowers, millet and cowpeas. We'll have to see how it goes.

I may not have to use the plow again since its been done once and I now have the disk. But, I like the fact that the plow completely rolls the turf and weeds over.

dixie306 · Apr 25, 2008

N80 said:
I have smaller plots, 1/4 to 1/2 acres and got by with just the box blade for a couple of years and did okay. Last year I lucked into a 2 bottom plow but we had an awful drought and things didn't turn out too well.

I just completed my spring planting after purchasing a 7' lift disk.

The plow has just been great. The soil is clay and was very compacted. The plow digs and turns the vegetation under. Then I disked the tar out of the plots several weeks after plowing and now have a really nice seed bed. I think the disk and bottom plow are a great combo for me. I've planted sunflowers, millet and cowpeas. We'll have to see how it goes.

I may not have to use the plow again since its been done once and I now have the disk. But, I like the fact that the plow completely rolls the turf and weeds over.

This droughts killing us too N, I put the disc's on last year and raised so much dust a guy came by and told me he thought the woods were on fire, I'd raised so much dust disking it looked like smoke. Most my clover as stood OK thur it thank goodness and I put in two plots of chicory and its done well even as dry as it is