??? for Food Plot Gods

[CastAndBlast]

I am planning on planting a little over 5 acres at my place around Madisonville and I need help! I have not searched the soil type yet. I really just need to know what to plant and when to plant. Thanks in advance.

[Russ79]

I have learned first hand that you really need to get a soil test done. I planted some plots last spring with mixed results....I had soil tests done for all my plots and the one's that barely had anything grow were in bad need of lime. I limed as instructed and had the prettiest green oat patches this past fall you would ever see.

[CastAndBlast]

Thanks Russ79. I plan on getting it tested, but the area I will be planting is an improved coastal pasture that is fertilized once a year. Do you think plainting oats is the best bet?

[Javelin]

For a spring/summer plot in your area (all of east tx) I would go with a mix of cowpeas and soybeans. I am going to experiment with planting a 5 to 10 ft edge of corn around my foodplot this year, deer normally will not eat it till it drys so I figure if it will last they can eat it this fall when I replace my peas and soybeans with oats wheat winter peas and a variety of brasicas.

BTW if you dont want to soil test just remember these simple rules
1. Anytime is lime time in east Tx
2. Nitrogen fertilizer is most important of nitrogen phosphorus and potassium
3. If you put as much lime as you can afford and 200lbs of a high nitrogen fertilize such as 18-6-6 or triple 15 per acre you will have a good plot if you get the weather

[Jaspro]

Your landowner will Love you for planting any legume in his hay patch. Clover, beans or peas with wheat or oats would be great.

[canny]

If you plant cowpeas which are excellent summer and early fall plots, you have to do something to keep the deer out untill the plants have put on enough growth to withstand the deer pressure. You can get whats called plot protector (cabelas) or there are other options. Deer love cowpeas but can destroy the food plot because they will eat the plants as soon as they come up. I would consider something else to go along with the cowpeas, like for example do half the plot in peas and the other half in some clover.

[maglite]

If you plant cowpeas which are excellent summer and early fall plots, you have to do something to keep the deer out untill the plants have put on enough growth to withstand the deer pressure. You can get whats called plot protector (cabelas) or there are other options. Deer love cowpeas but can destroy the food plot because they will eat the plants as soon as they come up. I would consider something else to go along with the cowpeas, like for example do half the plot in peas and the other half in some clover.

X2 The deer LOVE PEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CastAndBlast]

Your landowner will Love you for planting any legume in his hay patch. Clover, beans or peas with wheat or oats would be great.

It's my Dad's land. He raises cuttin' horses, but is selling out, and wants to plant some food plots.

I know you are the farming master, so can you tell me when is the best time to plant what? Whether to broadcast or drill? When or if to fertilize? Etc., etc.

Thanks for your help!

[ranchdog]

Here is my website that I have on our food plots for Spring. There is a lot of pictures and information that should help you out.

http://www.ranchdogu.com/DeerPage/food_plots/foodplotsnew.htm

Regards, Ranchdog

[Lubbock hunter]

The best info for your area, can be found at your local seed dealer. You can also plant some seeds that will benefit other seeds. Like when I planted my food plot my seed dealer told me that the winter wheat would put nitrogen in the soil, benefiting my austrian cow peas, winter peas, and lab lab. You can get a Ph tester from Gander, for instant results, just my .02, good luck with your food plot.

[Jaspro]

It's my Dad's land. He raises cuttin' horses, but is selling out, and wants to plant some food plots.

I know you are the farming master, so can you tell me when is the best time to plant what? Whether to broadcast or drill? When or if to fertilize? Etc., etc.

Thanks for your help!

I wouldn't plant those legumes in a pasture your dad has horses in. They will do the grass very good but if the horses get in there and eat them, they will eat unitl its all gone and is very easy for them to founder on. I would stick with wheat and oats if the horses will be in there.

[grassmaster]

I hunt up in Centerville on my father-in-law's place. He played around with several food plots and finally found what worked for him. He uses the Whitetail Institute food plots in his sandy soils. If you can get their clover to grow in your soil, I know several others who swear by it. This year was the first year he planted it and they at the plots more than the corn, especially late season. I have also hear people having good luck with radishes. Evidently they eat the greens.

[CastAndBlast]

I wouldn't plant those legumes in a pasture your dad has horses in. They will do the grass very good but if the horses get in there and eat them, they will eat unitl its all gone and is very easy for them to founder on. I would stick with wheat and oats if the horses will be in there.

Jaspro, he is in the process of selling all of the horses besides 3, which he is going to keep in a pasture by the house. So there will not be any horses that have access to the food plots. The only thing the land will be used for is hunting and training dogs now.

Thanks for everyone's input! I will keep yall posted on how it comes along.