Food plot?

[jay83196]

Wondering when typically spring food plots get planted? I'm going to plant clover maybe some alfalfa, am I too early? What's best stuff to plant in Mn?

[smsmith]

There is no "best" in MN or elsewhere for that matter. I'm not a fan of spring seeded clover, much prefer late summer/early fall. Weeds will outgrow your clover seedlings and you'll be fighting it all season. Fall planted clover with winter rye as a cover crop will lead to a much more weed free, low maintenance, and longer lived plot. I don't plant alfalfa as I don't want to get into having to bale the plot to keep the alfalfa young, tender and appealing.

[jay83196]

So what do you recommending planting I have two plots I like to ok ant one in spring for bow h noting another in summer for gun hunting. Any suggestions? No alfalfa or clover? How about chicory? Sprong planting I'm looking for something perenial that deer love and that grows well in mn.

Then for fall was thinking sugar beets or turnips?

[smsmith]

How big? What kind of soil? What type(s) of equipment do you have access to?

Sugar beets should get planted soon, when farmers are planting corn is when the SB's should go in too.

Depending on where in the state you are, turnips should go in late June to late July (north to south).

Personally, for your perennial plots I'd wait and do a late summer planting of winter rye and clover (ladino, alsike, red, and white dutch). The clover won't be a draw this fall, but the winter rye should be. It will also be there immediately the next spring for nutrition as soon as the snow melts. The clover will come on strong after that and should provide a perennial attraction for a few years (possibly longer depending on your maintenance).

[jay83196]

It's a small area for spring plant 1 acre I weed it and them till it. It's central mn fairly well drained area no shade. I've had good luck with clover a few years ago growing.

[Lunker]

I would recommend beets or turnips go in early so they have time to develop, otherwise you will just have greens.

The deer in our area did not target the chicory we put in last year at all. Not sure why. There are clover/chicory mixes available if looking thar route though.

Our spring planted clover did well last year. We sprayed prior to planting to kill off the competing weeds. It didn't go in quite this early though.

I wouldn't bother with alfalfa for a small plot. There are much more desirable options.

[BeezeHound]

I don't think turnips need to be planted very early, beets I would agree should be planted soon. I don't plant my turnips before the second or third week in July and always end up with softball plus sized roots by gun season and that's without any fertilizing. The deer really love the winter rye/oats/forage radish/winter pea mix at our place.

[jay83196]

Thanks any recommendation on brands I read a lot of claims from whitetail instatute line of products being more liked by deer etc than most stuff from feed mill etc.

[hockeybc69]

Personally, I would never spend the money on Whitetail Institute stuff.

I have never tried it, but I have deer eat everything I plant, so I find it hard to believe I am going to draw deer from the next township because I have Whitetail Institute products...

[jay83196]

I don't need much and if I had to buy a lot I'd think twice. I just wanted to get some good stuff for small area and just curious if it's better or just good marketing

Thanks

[smsmith]

I'd go to the co-op/creamery and pick up what you need. WI clover is full of berseem clover (33% as I recall). Berseem will grow quickly and make guys think the plot is doing what its supposed to do. Berseem is also very cheap...and an annual. It'll be there the first year and look good (if planted in the right soil anyway), but in following years its gone. That's okay if the other varieties fill in.

BOB seed fills a niche for guys who don't want to take the time to find something similar locally or for those who need to pick it seed at the last minute before planting. Nothing "wrong" with it...other than the price

[WalleyMN17]

Co-op is the best place to get all seed. I'm a fan of Rye mixed with other stuff. Rye germinates easily and is a good filler to spread over areas that may be thin.

[jay83196]

Thanks I appreciate all the info!

[Fish to Win]

Anyone try and have good luck with winter peas? Been reading about them but never heard any news about them on this forum. Anyone???

Thanks-

[LABS4ME]

We've talked about using them the last couple of years in the habitat/food plot forum on this site. Lots of good info in there and guys who do a lot of work on their properties willing to share info!

But yes, the deer love the peas. I plant them with other plants to help support them and also to give another food source once they fade. Peas also fix their own nitrogen so they help feed the soil if green manured. We've done it to a couple of spring plots to help build up the soil, and till it in late June/July.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Lunker]

I get a kick out of the "winter" peas. The year we planted peas/oats they were the first thing to get eaten. We will be planting some this year.