O.T. Food plots

[Brent 41 9N]

I have been doing alot of reading, and could use your guy's opinions. I am in the middle of making a path throught the woods to the end of my property. Have only made about 400' of progress with about 700' more to go. My questions are: Has anyone tried planting chicory or clover in the woods with only about 4 hours of good light? and, Is it too early to plant a fall crop in NC?

I plan to hunt this property this year and I just don't want to disturb the area during Bow Season. I beleive clover should be planted in Sept. or Nov. - Bow Season starts middle of Sept.

Any suggestions or Ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Brent

 

[lha]

I would think that either would germinate,and grow,but in july-august,better in partial shade.My $.02---lha

 

[old]

You can give it a try in a small area. Best time I have found to plant clover is in the late winter and I seed it in snow. This time of year I would probably plant turnips because deer love them and yes I have 3 or 4 food plots out and use corn both field and sweet plus clovers and turnips and every year never have a problem getting my deer. Took 5 last year with gun didn't go out with the bow because it stayed to warm

 

[Brent 41 9N]

Thanks guys,
Been hearing about turnips (kinda scared to try), I will try those this year. Then plant my clover later in the winter. New land for hunting, trying to keep a few deer around.

Thanks again,

 

[Jim in Western MI]

After doing several food plots with my 8N, I"m convinced that more light is needed (wider than just a trail). I"ve done clover, chickory, turnips, nutgrass (chufa), ryegrass, and soybeans. All will come up OK and look pretty good, but the perennials just won"t thrive without light and fertilizer. My suggestion is to find a place you can make 4-5 tractor widths wide (or wider) and spend some time there, getting the soil turned several times and getting the grass or weeds out. Plant clover/chickory mix in November (cool and wet, usually) and fertilize according to the rec"s. On the trails, use an annual like rye or beans; fertilize them, too. All these plants are just a vehicle for getting the nutrients into a form the deer/turkey can use. NC State Wildlife Biologist, "72 and 8N guy.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I have to fence them out and others have to bait them in :shock: ,,,, I have to take'em as they come are they will eat every thing in site around here,,,, Beans will bring them in for sure....