Late planting of food plot

[archerystud]

I'm a little bit dependent on things drying out a bit so I still have to wait a couple weeks.

Any suggestions of what and how late I can plant in Southern MN? I'm only looking for something this year since it is a river bottom and will likely flood the next spring.

I might have to wait until Labor Day unless things dry up soon.

[B. Amish]

some member of the brassica family like rape seed.

[hockeybc69]

Labor Day is pushing it with brassicas. You wont have much growth by first frost, and it will get cleaned out mighty quick.

I would say winter rye.

[archerystud]

I've never had to wait this long before but Mother Nature isn't cooperating.

The tractor is all ready to go as well!!!! Hoping for a dry spell quick.

I talked with Gissert last weekend and he also mentioned winter rye. I'll also try and swing by Gander and look over seed packs and see if there are any other late plantings I can do.

[mabr]

Hey guys,

I planted clover and winter rye last season and it did very well. Clover is really thick this year. BUT I thought winter rye was an annual. I've got alot of rye up this year as well. Its all headed out and brown like I was planting it to harvest.

Should I bush hog it down? I was thinking if i did it would make the clover plot better in doing this as well.

[B. Amish]

i'd still consider doing rape seed that late especially in southern mn. it's a whole different climate down there.

i know a guy that plants rape in his soybean field after he harvests it in west central mn. obviously, that's not ideal, but he still gets enough growth out of it that it attracts deer.

all the deer want out of rape is the leaves. it doesn't produce an edible root like a turnip.

[hockeybc69]

mabr,

you are better suited to use oats for a cover crop. They get knocked back pretty good by winter.

Winter rye will survive the winter and you will have a full crop the coming spring every time.

You should have bushhogged it this spring before it got seed heads. If you bushhog now, you are going to put all that seed down on the ground and it will germinate this fall again.

[mabr]

Would that hurt? Like I said I have REALLY good thick clover growing now. My thoughts were to cut it, getting rid on the rye (for now)and sweeten up the clover. Does it (clover) act like alphafa in that the later the cutting the better animals like it? Im no farmer just asking.

[InTheNorthwoods]

Would that hurt? Like I said I have REALLY good thick clover growing now. My thoughts were to cut it, getting rid on the rye (for now)and sweeten up the clover. Does it (clover) act like alphafa in that the later the cutting the better animals like it? Im no farmer just asking.

Mow the winter rye in a few weeks. You will get some see germination of the rye, but it will still be utilized by the deer. Your clover will still come back thick. Next spring/early summer, mow the rye when the rye is just starting to head. It will not come back and you will be left with a nice clover plot. I have to imagine that your rye is creating a pretty great screen on the food plot and might be appreciated by the critters using the plot (as I am sure they are if you have nice clover growth).

As to the initial poster, you have several options for fall plantings. It depends on when you are going to get the plot in the ground. Brassicas (rape, turnips, radishes, etc.) require 60 days before the first killing frost to mature. You want to get those in the ground in early August (or before).

Or you can plant other crops later in the summer. I'd suggest a mixture of clover or alfalfa, one or more of the following as a cover crop: winter rye/winter wheat/oats (I prefer rye as it's cheap, grows anywhere, grows in colder temps, and has beneficial weed suppression qualities), and some winter peas or soybeans for early season forage. This blend can be mowed next spring and you should be left with a pretty clean and thick stand of clover/alfalfa depending on what you chose for years to come (only maintenance needed is mowing usually).

There is lots of great information out there for food plotters. Also, trial and error is part of the fun.

[jay83196]

I planted some clover and chicory does it help to mow it its about 4-5" high now...I do also have some brassica also mixed in...

Thanks

[mabr]

Thanks guys, I may just let it stand. I havent tried looing into it from a stand yet. That will determine if I need to cut it or not. Never thought of it being a screen for them but that might just work to my advantage for sure.

[InTheNorthwoods]

I planted some clover and chicory does it help to mow it its about 4-5" high now...I do also have some brassica also mixed in...

Thanks

I wouldn't worry about mowing it this year unless you want to hold back the brassica's mixed in so that the clover and chicory can get a better start. In the future, you may want to consider keeping your brassica's separate from your clovers/etc. as brassica's will tend to shade them out and inhibit their growth.