How to cultivate virgin ground for a food plot? I don't have a tractor!

[3gunr]

If your just making a small plot ,a walk behind tiller will work although it will take time.Finding someone with a tractor and rear tiller will be much better. there are many u tube videos on making a poor mans food plot with minimal tools. I have been doing them for many years and am still learning new things all the time .

 

[Jstpssng]

Given your equipment list try building up instead of digging down, just as the Chinese have been growing vegetables for thousands of years. Leaves, garden residue, grass clippings (assuming that you don't use herbicides), and wood chips will all break down and give you something to plant in. Even weeds can build an organic layer as long as you pull them before they seed, and let them set in the sun long enough to thoroughly kill the roots. If you know somebody with horses, green manure will add to the organic layer and quickly grow oats just from the residual which went through the horses. Old straw or hay that somebody put up but never used can also help build an organic layer.

 

[Zerk]

Question, this is a tractor forum. Do you not have a tractor, or just implemement?

I tired one of the tillers behind my UTV. Back on ramps, drive off. So-so. ground was wet and got stuck. Probably should have played with it more. Maybe started out to deep. I guess I got the job done. But mine didn't take off until I cut a bunch of trees done around it. Leaves would drop and cover it in the fall. Plus to much shade.


There are lots of forums full of deer hunters.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^

This forum is "Rural Living", not "Rural Tractors."
Description;

Discuss all topics related to living in the country!

. I believe that this question qualifies.

 

[Chaos USMC]

If you want a great food plot, stop in at your local Farm Bureau Co-op and get a couple of soil sample packs. Get those samples done sooner than later and get them in the mail. If your just looking to try a food plot for grins, forget the soil samples and go to one of the recognized seed providers and grab some "no-till" seed. Some great seed choices for the deer might include clover, rape and turnips. Barely, oats, wheat are some others that your FB might suggest. Either way, at least consider things like ph levels, lime, fertilizer, etc.

Now that you know where the farm bureau Co-op is, take some time to sit down with the Agronomy (the science of soil management and crop production) guy/gal and tell them what you have up your sleeve. They know your area well and will be able to best advise you on what plantings work best in your area. Be sure to let them know you will be back to sit down and chat again, once your soil samples come back, and would like to review same with them in order to put together a "soil management plan", specifically for your needs.

In between meetings, you can begin to tear into your plot locations. Start smaller then bigger until you get a good feel for what you are in for. Maybe your soils will need some work or you have a ton of rock to get rid of, or, or, or...

As mentioned above, spraying is usually the way to get things started. If you can mow or bush hog a few days before, all the better. If you do not have access to equipment, and, you can't find a friend with some or hire someone with it, the earlier recommendation to pick up a harrow drag/rake was a good idea. Depending on your soil, the heavy ones can really tear it up and do good work behind a UTV/ATV. After spraying, take a chill pill and give it at least three days, a week is better, before you begin to break ground.

I work some tough ground and I am lucky enough to have the heavier equipment to do it. Having said that, if I did not have that great equipment, and only had my ATV and UTV, there is still some good food plot tow behind gear for those. As mentioned before, it takes a lot longer to get things done. (Obviously...) I can bet you have already done a number of web searches!

If I had my choice of one piece of equipment for my plots, it is my tiller. Granted, it is a PTO driven unit but even atv/utv pull behind models, if used correctly, can make some bad ground good. Next would be the heavy drag.

Be warned, food plots are a great way to have fun, get dirty, can be very rewarding, and, they can be addictive. Have fun, good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Zerk]

My question was, does he not have a tractor, or not have an implement. If he doesn't have an implement can maybe work around.

 

[oosik]

Well - back in the day, about 35 years ago - I prepared a large plot with just a TroyBilt Horse. It was about two acres. Took me four days. I didn't go real deep. Planted alfalfa and some type of grain crop. I think it was rye. Being high & dry without irrigation - it germinated and grew fairly well.

Overall - it was a total waste of time. There are literally thousands of acres of wheat and alfalfa going out for miles, surrounding my property.

I should have planted something that wasn't so very abundant. But it was a new experience and I was just glad to see that it grew.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

from some of the stuff I read. alot of people think lawnmowers tractors so I don't think it is a requirement to be on the forum.

I don't know why it should matter; this is "Off Topic"...there's plenty of tractor talk if elsewhere if that's what you want. My only tractor is a 25 year old LX 172, but I have nearly 20,000 posts to my "credit". Loosen up folks; the man asked a question, and it would seem to me that the collective wisdom we have on this forum should be able to help...at least give him something to think about without feeling guilty or unwelcome.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I haven't heard anybody bash President Grant yet. The only thing I've read is some of us lamenting that we don't see enough of him.

You meant Jefferson Davis, didn't you?

Oh, in answer to the OP's question: Fence the garden space off, buy a load of hogs and turn them in. They will root it up and eat everything in sight...besides fertilizing it in the process! Yeah, I know. Too much trouble and expense...but I'm told it will work...and they will eat and eliminate such things as Johnson Grass.

 

[teejk]

You meant Jefferson Davis, didn't you?

Oh, in answer to the OP's question: Fence the garden space off, buy a load of hogs and turn them in. They will root it up and eat everything in sight...besides fertilizing it in the process! Yeah, I know. Too much trouble and expense...but I'm told it will work...and they will eat and eliminate such things as Johnson Grass.

The only problem with hogs is that it will leave the ground in such bad shape that it will knock your fillings out if you ride over it. They are very destructive. Skunks or moles might work though.