Food Plot Rookie

[cnelk]

Okay - I’ve done a lot things over the years, but never a food plot.

The area I’m doing is approx 120yds long and 10-15’ wide. I opened up the strip yesterday from old grass. The ground is nice black dirt. Never been turned.

The neighbors hayfield adjacent is old sainfoin but mostly timothy hay now and we are wanting to do something a little extra.

There are plenty of deer around, the does make it a nursery during the summer. Sometimes there are 20-30 in the field

We are wanting the food plot to attract turkey, deer (maybe elk) after the hay is taken off the field - November or later.

What do I plant? When?
Like I said - complete rookie

 

[Deerhunter6250]

In Iowa I plant Ladino Clover and the deer love it and it comes back every year. I do have to spray it a couple time a year to keep the grass out of it and mow it a couple times. The deer like the younger mowed clover more than the older clover. Not sure if this would work in your climate. I also like turnips and radishes. I tried corn and beans but the deer eat it off faster than it grows.

 

[wytx]

Do you plan to kill the grass left? It may out compete your food plot seeds.
I'd add some chicory for turkey and clover for deer and elk.
We tried some Imperial WT clover and got decent results til it quit raining. Deer and elk were hitting it.

 

[Team4LongGun]

do a soil sample test. It’s cheap and maximizes your growth and saves you money and frustration.