Food Plot Help... Rocksprings,TX

[ag111]

I am outside of my element and am hoping the green screen can help me out. I would like to put in a food plot on our place 30min south of Rocksprings off of 674. It is generally very rugged terrain (last picture) however there are a couple of flat meadows (pictures) with soil 20-30” deep with a total acreage of maybe 2-3 acres. We run water troughs, corn, and protein feed year round so the plot would be just for additional forage.

Has anyone had any success with plots in this arid climate / rocky terrain? Any suggestions on type of plants, when to plant, planting methods, etc.?

Thanks!

[HTOWN]

I have a neighbor that tries to do a food plot every year. We are about 15 min south of town on 674.But it starts out nice, then it's just a bunch of rock after a few good rains. By the time the season starts its just dirt and rock.

Maybe you have better soil tho. I think if you have a way to irrigate it. You should be ok.

[lovetohunt]

There is a lot of rock in that second and third pic, how do you plan on breaking up the soil?

[ag111]

There is a lot of rock in that second and third pic, how do you plan on breaking up the soil?

The largest meadow thankfully has only small rocks and is 90% or more soil. The other pictures are more for reference. The plot would go in the first picture and the plan would be to disc it probably before and then after planting. Not sure about that part since I’m not a farmer. Also, not much in the way of irrigation so drought resistant plants would be key I think.

[coker737]

No food plot needed in Rocksprings with what you are already doing IMHO. If you want to add something, add Cotton Seed.

[Arrow-Tek]

Do you have access to any equipment? If so I’d run a box blade with the teeth extended a couple inches to break up the soil and broadcast seed then drag to cover it. Maybe a wheat/rye mix. Not rye grass but rye cereal. Grows well in areas with less rainfall.

[PROD49]

Oats and wheat are fine but it's 100% contigent on timing of rain. Some years amazing other it sucks and gets mowed down quickly.

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[Kdog]

Would you be better off fertilizing what’s there ahead of a rain event? I tried to plan in that area once and it was a waste of time. I have thought about fertilizing my “natural” plot.

[glen]

Without irrigation you money would be better spent on water and feed in my opinion. Maybe try some of that mix you throw and grow before rain is forecasted. I’ve spent a lot of coin to be disappointed

[glen]

Without irrigation you money would be better spent on water and feed in my opinion. Maybe try some of that mix you throw and grow before rain is forecasted. I’ve spent a lot of coin to be disappointed

[Drycreek3189]

I don’t know what the rainfall patterns are in the Rock Springs area, but I hunted for 18 years near Ballinger. Our annual rainfall was mid to low twenties. The rancher planted oats each October and sunflowers volunteered every summer. As soon as the oats got up the deer were in there constantly. It was a 75 acre field and I’ve counted as many as 40 deer in it at once. Mostly does, but you know what hangs out with the girls during the chase and the rut.

If I were you I would try it one year and see what happens. Wheat and/or cerial rye seed is cheap. Plant at least 75 lb. per acre when broadcasting. Your ground is probably fairly fertile and in that country should need no lime. If the ground isn’t hard, don’t disc any deeper than you have to to cover the seed. Put your seed (and fertilize if you want to) then drag to cover.

In my mind, you can feed all the corn, cotton seed, and protein you want, but deer are browsers. They want to browse and since moving my hunting territory back to East Texas I’ve killed way more bucks with wheat in their mouths than corn. Good Luck !

[twright]

There is a reason there is not any farming in Rocksprings, and why its so named. I would not spend any time or money trying to plant a food plot.

[Austin]

You will be shocked how much rock is just below the surface that you will turn up if you try and break the soil to plant. You might look at a native wildlife Forbes mix and boadcast then drag the area and fertilize twice a year.

You can also put out a large round bale of alfalfa

[hog_down]

As the others have suggested, rain is the most important factor in the food plot survival, if you do not have a way to water your plants. I would get with the county ag agency, and see if they suggest planting anything to add to the variety of food for wildlife. Have you thought about planting trees? That could be an easier option. Also, do a soil sample to see if its even possible for something to grow. First pic looks to be your best bet.

[bloodtrailer28]

I wouldn't disc if I were you. If I was going to try something I'd do oats wheat and some elbon rye. Spread it out then shred what grass/weeds you have and get some thatch over top of it.