Food plotting with L3200 4x4, which implements?

[Nickanto]

I am looking to do maybe three acres of winter wheat and clover for the wildlife on our property. My question is, what do I need to start with in breaking up the soil? A bottom plow, and disc harrow, a roto tiller, or something else? The ground has been plowed before, but as it sits now it is covered in pretty thick native grasses. It is Missouri River bottom soil, not much clay at all. But the one field has a bunch of chunks of flint from the Indians. Some pretty darn big. I plan on trying to pick up most of the big pieces before I start breaking ground. Also, what other implements do you recommend for small food plots?. Thanks in advance.

 

[whistlepig]

For clover first I do a soil test. Then I mow and spray with Roundup. Disc the sod and then add lime and/or fertilizer as the soil test recommends. Let the lime/fertilizer sit a bit. Smooth with a tine harrow. Hand broadcast the clover seed. Run a roller over the seed to insure ground contact. When the planting season for clover is right in your area.

 

[jeff9366]

I expect whistlepig has fabulous food plots.

My routine is simpler, in soft Florida sandy-loam, which is high pH due to soft lime rock content. Never need lime here. Have to use Hollytone with sulfur on ornamental garden.

Two passes with the Harrow when the soil is moist.

Hand broadcast seed.

(I buy my seed from Hancock Seed in Dade City, Florida., 100 miles from Fanning Springs. I believe seed grown locally gives better results.)

Use a Cultipacker, a fancy roller, to pack in seed.

I plant both a Spring Plot Mix and a Winter Plot Mix.

I Disc Harrow in residual crop, late September for Spring; April for Winter, as green manure.

Seems to provide enough nitrogen for next planting. I am sure 16-0-8 would improve yield, but its pretty good without fertilizer so far.

I will be planting second Winter crop in October.

(There are soft areas which I roll with the Cultipacker after cutting with Disc Harrow, seed, and roll again to pack seed.)

 

[vabiker23518]

I have really bad clay soils. For the last few years, I've had a local farmer deliver a truck load of composted chicken litter. Soil is now much improved. I have a cultivator to break up the soil, and have an old 4' tiller to make it smooth. Hand broadcast seeds, and have a chain link mat to settle the seeds. Have had great success with few implements.

 

[mmorisoli]

How on earth do you get your food plots so tall? Here in the hill country of Texas soon as the deer figure out what I planted is eatable it gets chewed down to the ground within 24 hours.

It is frustrating to work hard see something start to grown and then a heard walks through and cleans it out in no time at all. I feel bad how under nourished the deer are around here, but wish they would give it a chance to grow a bit more...

 

[vabiker23518]

How on earth do you get your food plots so tall? Here in the hill country of Texas soon as the deer figure out what I planted is eatable it gets chewed down to the ground within 24 hours.

It is frustrating to work hard see something start to grown and then a heard walks through and cleans it out in no time at all. I feel bad how under nourished the deer are around here, but wish they would give it a chance to grow a bit more...

Well, we've had more rain this summer than I can remember. Getting lots of deer and bear in...and, as seen in the picture below, I'm lucky I have anything standing. He seems to be enjoying his meal!

 

[mainefarme47]

Nickanto, There are many great websites on Food plotting for wildlife. I say start small and do it right the first so you won't fail. Do you soil test as suggested and follow the recommendation of the test results. I use a one bottom plow and a 50 inch Howard tiller for breaking up new ground. Using Roundup will help deter the weeds and grass the first year.I also use a 6&9 foot spring tooth harrow for breaking up the plowed ground. Lime will be needed along with fertilizer. Use a quality seed and roll it down just before rain is predicted. You should have germination in under 5 days. Good luck with your plots. Mainefarme47.