Disking up food plots

[Coyote]

Hey Farmers out there! I am putting food plots in the woods for deer. I disked it up and spread lime and fertilizer. My question is: should I disk again to work the lime and fertilizer in or just let rain seep it in? The seeds have to be planted shallow, not more than 2" deep, they don't recommend disking them in. What's your opinion? Thanks!

 

[BamaRob]

I don't really consider myself a farmer, but I have planted a few foodplots over the years. I would just seed it and go over it with a drag of some type to lightly mix in the fert/lime and cover the seed. I use a section of chainlink fencing that is 10' wide by 20' long. I fold it in half so that it's 10'x10' double thick. Single thickness 10'x10' just isn't heavy enough. I assume you are broadcasting the seed and not using a planter or a drill. If you seed/drag it just prior to a rain, you should get quick germination.

I'll often drag the disked field before broadcasting the seed. This gives me a good, smooth seedbed. Then, I'll lightly drag it again to lightly cover the seed. If you don't have a smooth seedbed before broadcasting the seed, then seeds that fall into cracks and grooves will likely be buried too deep after dragging.

Good luck,

BR

 

[kossetx]

I would leave the lime and fertalizer on top and just do it a few weeks before planting. I've also added it during planting with good results, so I don't know if it makes a difference.

I too use a chain link drag to cover my seed. I wish i could find some 10X10 fence though. I use 6X16 folded in half with a 2" piece of pipe through the folded half to spread the presure of draging. Doesn't hurt to throw come concrete blocks on the fence too.

By the way, I winch mine to hang into a tree when I'm done with it. I lost a chain link drag somewhere. Left it lying and it blended into the forrest. I'll find it someday. Hope it helps, MP

 

[BamaRob]

I got the 10' fence from where they tore down a tennis court. It's the good, heavy stuff, too. Luckily, there was this piece 20' long among the pile free for the taking. I also use a 10'x2" pole through the fold to attach my chain to. Haven't tried adding weight. Haven't really needed it that much. I'm sure I could get smooth results quicker with more weight, but that'd mean less seat time. Now, we wouldn't want that would we?

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

BR

 

[BamaRob]

Is this a Spring planting (that you're doing now) or are you just prepping for a Fall planting?

I was assuming that you're planting now. I like a mix of sorghum, millet, sunflower, cowpeas, and maybe some soybeans and/or lablab planted this time of year. By mid summer, all kinds of critters will be using it, including deer (my "target" species). Once this stuff seeds, it's a buffet for quail (and other birds). The last time I planted this mix, I'd flush a covey of quail every time I visited it in the fall/winter.

BR

 

[Coyote]

It is a Spring plant. I was going to use one of the mixtures from Plotspike. It has chufas, forage peas, and lablab. Trying to feed turkey and deer but would love to benefit the quail too! Thanks. I'm going to leave it alone for now, wait for a rain and broadcast the seed and either rake or drap it.

 

[BamaRob]

Getting it seeded just prior to a good slow soaking rain would be ideal. I have waited until the very last moment and rushed to the plot with sprinkles starting. You want to seed before a rain if you can. The rain will help "set" the seed and firm up the seedbed. If you wait until after a rain, you may find that the rain firmed the seedbed a little too much before you got the seed in. The quicker you can get a good rain on the seed, the quicker they'll germinate/sprout and the fewer you'll lose to birds eating the seeds.

Good luck. Post some pictures when it gets pretty and green.

BR

 

[brandon07]

Me and a friend just limed one of his food plots this past weekend and we always disc the Lime back into the ground. We don't normally mix the lime and fertilizer although it really doesn't matter but when we lime in the spring we normally let the grass start growing just a tad then spray it with some type of herbicide before we plant anything. What kind of lime did you use dolomite or pelletized? We always use dolomite because it lasts longer than the pelletized lime and its cheaper. I wouldn't take the chance of the rain washing away some of your lime I would rather have it disc'd into the ground and let the water seep through the soil to get to it.

 

[Cord]

Wouldn't the lime & fertilizer burn the seedlings if it's not worked in?

 

[brandon07]

I'm not sure, but everyone I know always disk's the lime back into the ground as soon as its spread.