Planting fall food plots?

[Ray Mysterio]

Needing some feedback on what everyone thinks about planting food plots in mid-september. Two of my clover food plots I planted this spring did't hold togethor in the dry hot summer. I am thinking of re-planting in a couple weeks. Is this a good idea or not?

Thanks for the help.

Mysterio

[Buckslayer]

I've done it plenty in the fall like this. Usually I just plant the no-plow clover, which seems to work ok, not as good as my other bigger plots, but worthwhile if your others didnt come through. Even if your not using no-plow, it would still be worth your time. Probably not much help here for you though.

[rippinlips]

Ray I just planted bio logic full draw about 2 weeks ago now

and it's doing great check out the post ( FOOD PLOTS ) in the deer forum I have pictures posted that were taking 3 days ago now.

[Ray Mysterio]

Buckslayer,

Do you scar up the ground or do you just throw it out? I will probably disc the fields. But I am interested in the no-plow for my trails.

Thanks for the response.

Mysterio

[Ray Mysterio]

Rippin,

Field is looking good for only a few weeks. I also have a bag of Biologic Green Patch that I will be planting as well. Do you have problems with weeds and grass competing with your crop this time of year?

Thanks for the feedback,

Mysterio

[PerchJerker]

Most perennial clovers are slow starters, you are not likely to get much benefit the rest of this year from planting clover. I'm farther north than you but I have not had much success with Sept planted clover getting established well enough to come back strong the following spring.

Cereal grains like oats, wheat and rye are excellent fall crops - germinate very quickly, withstand heavy browsing, and the deer hit them right away. They are annual crops and not that cold tolerant - they might be done by gun season but would be fantastic for bow season.

[Mark Christianson]

My winter wheat and winter rye last year was green(under the snow) until the end of muzzleloader season. The deer were digging it up until Xmas. After that, I never got back up there to check, so I have no idea how long they actually went after it. This is in the Fergus Falls area.

PS - It was all planted Labor Day weekend last year. Same thing happening in 2 days....

[rippinlips]

Ray,

Full draw is a fall blend and once it starts to grow it will choke the other weeds out. I plowed on drug the ground but I also tried a small spot and just put some full draw on the ground in with other grasses and I have the same result thick plant growth. If planted now clover will become very thick this fall because of the cooler weather and the increase in mositure we have bing having.

[BLACKJACK]

Now is a great time to plant a fall food plot! With the cooler temps and more rain, it should grow great. Ask any nursery, they say fall is a very good time to establish a lawn. If you are planting something like clover that you want for next year, do it soon so it has time to establish good enough roots to last the winter.

I'm practicing what I'm preaching, I worked up a plot last night and will be planting clover and the MDHA Wildlife blend and some oats tonight. Let it rain this weekend!

[rippinlips]

YOU ARE VERY CORRECT BLACKJACK FALL IS A PRIMETIME TO GET YOUR FOOD PLOTS IN. IT WILL ALSO SPARK NEW INTEREST FROM THE DEER BECAUSE ONCE THEY FIND IT, IT WILL BE HUNTING SEASON AND THEY WILL BE HITTING IT HARD. THE BEST TYPES OF FOOD PLOTS TO PLANT ARE THE ONES THAT WILL GIVE THE DEER SOMETHING THAT THEY DONT HAVE AROUND THE AREA AT ALL TO FORAGE ON.