Food plot help

[sledge437]

The place I hunt in the Hill Country has a 9 acre fenced field the landowner has coastal grass in for the cattle. He obviously doesnt want to plow that under but will allow us to close the field during season. He already plants a 17acre patch in oats and wheat on the other side of the ranch for us. My question is if anyone has ever tried to overseed a coastal patch with an annual seed like rye or any other crop for deer?What did you use, did it work and did you just broadcast it or aerate first? Any help is appreciated.

[canny]

Its not a good idea to top seed unless the seed has a good chance of reaching bare soil. Also, if you do decide to topseed then its best to choose a small seed like clover, or chicory. When you use larger seeds like oats or rye then the birds can clean out the seeds before they get a chance to germinate. IMO

If you can get your hands on a grain drill then that could possibly be used to plant some seeds in the existing coastal, but even then I wouldnt expect great results because the coastal would out compete the new seeds.

[Jaspro]

Shred the pasture short and then spread rye seed mixed with fertilizer. Preferablly right before a good rain.

[jkf123]

In my experience plowing a coastal field doesn't hurt it, it just wee-wee's it off and it comes back stronger the next year. I've planted oats, turnips and clover after plowing my coastal fields and they all do great. In the summer when the temp rises the coastal comes back with a vengeance. Just my .02. However it is up to your landowner whether he would let you do that.

[sledge437]

Thanks for all the advice ya'll

[Grafsonhunt]

If you have a bush hog, seed the field and fertilize first. Just broadcast the seed on top of the existing grass. Then run over the field with the bush hog and it will beat the seed down to the dirt and cover it with the grass clippings. That will help keep the moisture in the ground and hide the seed from the birds. I have been doing this for years and have better luck than plowing. Another thing that will help is to buy Cereal Rye Seed instead of the regular field Rye Grass seed. It grows taller and stays more tender longer. My deer love it.

[Jen-Man]

QUOTE=Grafsonhunt;1747814]If you have a bush hog, seed the field and fertilize first. Just broadcast the seed on top of the existing grass. Then run over the field with the bush hog and it will beat the seed down to the dirt and cover it with the grass clippings. That will help keep the moisture in the ground and hide the seed from the birds. I have been doing this for years and have better luck than plowing. Another thing that will help is to buy Cereal Rye Seed instead of the regular field Rye Grass seed. It grows taller and stays more tender longer. My deer love it.[/QUOTE]

Graf, where do yoou get cereal rye?

[Cuz]

If you have a bush hog, seed the field and fertilize first. Just broadcast the seed on top of the existing grass. Then run over the field with the bush hog and it will beat the seed down to the dirt and cover it with the grass clippings. That will help keep the moisture in the ground and hide the seed from the birds. I have been doing this for years and have better luck than plowing. Another thing that will help is to buy Cereal Rye Seed instead of the regular field Rye Grass seed. It grows taller and stays more tender longer. My deer love it.

Thats not a bad idea! But I've never heard of cereal rye...

[Grafsonhunt]

It is harder to come by and sells out faster than the other stuff. Call the co-op and usually they can order it for you. I have to put in my order and pay up front but it is well worth it. I don't know about the other areas in TX but if you can find it they will come.