#1 Food Plot Ingredient You Have To Have

[@benborgschatz9525]

Happy 4th all!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Happy 4th Ben!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hope a lot more of you got some of that rain last night...we finally got some!

[@normyoder2622]

Love the passion of going after weeds to have a great food plot.almost has a spiritual connotation to it🤔 (Just saying) Happy forth ! Thanks jeff

[@jackelinemeter8914]

We’re free to hunt these wonderful animals because we are a free nation

[@flyhigh5056]

Lime is the traditional way of correcting PH if you have a acidic soil. Another important tip that is not emphasize enough, is to not seed within 30 days of applying simazine.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

*60 to 90 days

[@flyhigh5056]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Yes, I found out the expensive way. That stuff and my high ph soil inhibited my switch seeds, I’m afraid I’ll have to start over First, by adding some elemental sulfur. Thanks for all your time

[@Aaron-sl9lu]

Jeff, how do you prevent not scaring the deer on those ag fields, when u are traveling to-from your blinds? In theory your approach prevents scarring deer from your plots, but not every deer will go to your plots.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Aaron...we access's behind screening and the roll of the land...we also have many access points...some thru the woods and nearly all of them in 1 way and out another. A few locations we only access post daybreak. Pretty easy to keep from spooking deer tho as the AG fields aren't too attractive...

[@Aaron-sl9lu]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 how wide is the screen between the access path and the field? From looking at your property layout it doesn’t look like you have a Lotta room

[@Raised-Right]

Would using plot start work on a field that I sprayed tall weeds down and have some mulch/thatch covering the dirt. Or does plot start need to be more on bare dirt? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for all your great informative videos you've been putting out for years.

[@alexpinnow6509]

Shaping up to be a rough year. So little rain that even the weeds went dormant and didn't take up the last glyphosate spraying it appears.

[@timhatfield6367]

Drove up to farm today to check on switchgrass which i seeded in February...looks nice! 4"-8"...buckwheat I 11:33 11:33 seeded on 6/20 is up and I had good germination and starting to get second set of leaves on some already. Had multiple rains since then,I was worried because of lack of rain before that for weeks. Calling for rain again in Indiana....great for everything exept I'm in excavating and also do alot of concrete work. Have alot of work pending on rain or not. Can't pour a nice drive or patio if they're calling for rain,but you can't have a nice plot unless we get rain. So I guess I have to be happy if im not working cause its too wet...or be happy if it's too dry so we can stay busy. Hard to be happy all the time. Well, I hope everyone has a safe Independence Day.. Thanks to all you Veterans that made this possible.

[@timhatfield6367]

Don't know where the 11:33 came from?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha 😊 That all sounds really good Tim, happy for you! We are finally getting enough rain to germinate... exciting for sure!

[@bowman8316]

Happy 4th everyone ! Pray for our country and our way of life 🏹🦌👍🏼

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Amen!

[@RushOutdoors]

Used Plot Start this year here in SW Wisco Jeff looking forward to seeing what happens. Now all we need is some rain!!! Ugghhhhhhh!!!!!! Common Mother nature!!!!! happy 4th Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I hope you got some of that rain in the last 24 hours!!

[@seregill13]

Will it hurt established clover if you spread lime on it?

[@timhatfield6367]

No

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

What Tim said 😊

[@seregill13]

Thanks

[@rickhelps9879]

looks like some water hemp in with the pigweed. Im having the same issue. how do you plan on getting rid of it? Gly hasn't worked, if ya use enough 24d the residual will eliminate the buckwheat no till plan??? dont want to till for the same reasons??? what to do???

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Rick! We are about out of time for buckwheat. I would use heavy 2-4D (1.5 pints per acre + 2 quarts Gly per acre) and it will kill the water hemp and pigweed very well...in particular if young

[@makeyourownluck5822]

I've had good luck to minimize erosion when tilling is needed because of the stalk trash. I till it up lightly (not too deep) Then I immediately roll it with my lawn roller (must be a solid packer and no grooves) Then I wait a few weeks for the weeds to come and spray it. Then broadcast seed and roll it one more time. The roller really helps minimize erosion on slopes.

[@frankspataro9714]

Jeff couldnt you burn the stalks off of your plott and get rid of that heavy thatch and maybe get some gain from the ash or am i completely wrong

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Burning is really bad because it explodes weed growth, and the stalks on the ground don't create a problem at this point. The easy and really effective solution is to kill the weeds with a 2-4D and Gly combo, and then simply broadcast our brassica and clover combo into it in about 4 w rod when I plant the rest of my Fall plots

[@frankspataro9714]

Guess burning would be another step but if your spraying and already sprayed I wouldn't think the weeds that came up after the burn would be a problem.since your spraying again with 24d and gly im sure either way would work couldn't be much different than starting from scratch in a over grown goldenrod weed patch

[@jdsasse9069]

So whats the best weed & grass killer to do a plot?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

We talk about a few a lot, but a 2-4D and Glyphosate combo is pretty deadly! 2 quarts per acre of Gly, mixed with 1 pint per acre of 2-4D. Then wait 7 days to throw seed in the ground...

[@jdsasse9069]

@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I'm struggling horrible in Central mn. Granted it is super dry here

[@ihus9950]

Thanks again Jeff, Great info👍🏻 Hope your having a Great 4th

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you...I hope you had a great 4th!

[@connorkropp6017]

Happy 4🎉🎉🎉

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Happy 4th Connor!

[@JBesq]

I had that happen last year in combination with drought. I used a chain drag harrow from TSC removed the debris, sprayed and carpet bombed it with cereal rye. This year I got on it early. Rolled sprayed rye and just for good measure lightly tilled. Fertilized and used plot start, went with buckwheat and dragged over that lightly for a bit of protection. Despite the spring drought here in central NY the plot is up and running and if I saw 3 or 4 weeds in the acre it was alot. Have to thank you Jeff. All your vids, and the books have made my start at food plot actually doable.

[@ivybuck1]

I unberstood all of it except, what about all the dead organic stalk cover? Don't you still need to get rid of that?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I do not, now that weeds have shown themselves. Part of the problem was so little rain over the last 2 months. Now that we've had 2 rains over the past 2 weeks the weeds are really shooting out...time to kill them in this spot for sure!

[@kyleabramson3876]

I know all properties are different, but is there a percentage of a property that you try to dedicate towards food plots?

[@kyleabramson3876]

Also, love your content, and have a great 4th

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Kyle...that is a very tough question! There is no % at all, as that % varies greatly from heavy AG to light ag to wilderness to low deer populations to high deer populations. As well as quality of soil, planting equipment, resources of the landowner, etc.

[@kyleabramson3876]

Thank you for the response, I know your a busy guy from watching all the videos. Good luck this season!

[@travisjohnson8384]

Random question, In bare spots in corn would you spread brassicas? When do I spray plotstart when I'm plant into buckwheat?

[@travisjohnson8384]

Buy when do you spray it in the buckwheat no til process? In the spring when you plant buckwheat so it gets to the soil? Or can I spray plot start after I crush it in the fall

[@JP_BowHunter]

Great video. Would you do one on how to work with wet areas? Or how what to do when backed up to a forest area?

[@danorris5235]

This is completely unrelated, but I'm doing mock scrapes this year. The results so far are awesome, but I have no experience doing this. There's a doe that literally chews the grapevine I hanged. Like she's trying to break a tooth or something. I personally find the behavior weird and mildly disturbing, but I know that's because of my lack of knowledge in this. Is she sick? Is this normal? Is it a sign of a healthy animal? I really don't know, and if anybody here could throw me a bone on this one I'd be really grateful.

[@cryptotrain6334]

Here in eastern ky. We try to use abandoned surface mining land. Very hard to get any good crops without a lot of prep work. The winter rye you recommended is the best thing yet I’ve found that will grow good thanks for all the great info 🙌🏼

[@runtimmytimer]

Well, this video is well timed. I was out looking at my food plots just south of your WI property and I was wondering if I should kill the plots because the weeds are taking over. The cover crop just didn't have enough rain to do its job. It's a brand new plot so I wanted to get some organic matter in the soil but not gonna happen this summer apparently. Might have to spend the money on plot start this fall and try again.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Definitely time to take care of the weeds ..so critical! The only summer cover crop that really works is buckwheat or rye. We have a Summer Soil Builder with 4 seeds in it, but you really want to avoid the kitchen sink blends with 10 seeds or more 😉

[@kevinfowler6065]

You should look at getting a good finish flail mower, you’ll eliminate the debris issues

[@scrappydappy2827]

Great info, Jeff. I planted buckwheat in a newer plot this year, and dog fennel is popping up. Guess it’s time for a restart .

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Yes it is! It's sometimes a chore to get rid of the weeds before that buckwheat but so necessary!

[@xboxsavage1175]

Same thing is happening to me. Should I kill the weeds and the buckwheat?

[@bernthall6427]

I have same weeds taking over my corn and bean plots is there something I can plant afterwards if I kill it all and start over thanks .I'm in central MN

[@heidibowman8000]

Lime takes some time to work into soil. A few months or something. What is your recommendation for how long before seeding to lime?

[@bowman8316]

Are you from pa ?

[@heidibowman8000]

@@bowman8316 no I’m not.

[@beachralph]

Excellent video I try to order plot starter but they can’t send to Canada so what can I use to replace it and should I get my soiled tested because last year made I few mistakes

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Getting a larger poundage bow pulled back out in the open with a few deer looking at you isn't easy. Using the homemade 3/4 p.v.c. bow is easier. Better have your plot in order. I understand why Fred Bear bow hunted. Even an 1851 from picnic table is not the thrill I am looking for. Maybe why I decided to old guy hunt in a red flannel sitting in the open with little to no cover. Clover around the fruit trees helped with drought for sure. The apple trees with crunchy grass around them need more water. Honey bees love the clover mix for sure. Plus when watering it seems to hold more water droplets longer. Got my sights on ask hole doe that keeps knocking my deer target down eating the clover under it. Not the biggest in herd but good sized. I hope come Oct 2nd it comes out to try that. Not hunting the U.P. this year because no bear license.

[@jjhoran1273]

Plot Start is legit. I have poor ph and sandy soil and I had a great lush and full green plot all season. It was the best plot I've had in 10 years. Happy 4th Jeff 🎉

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I love to hear that JJ...happy for you! Happy 4th to YOU!

[@johnmcmorris1170]

Jeff, Here in Missouri we are reeling after drought last summer and fall and even worse, a devastating drought that started this spring and continues to date. Any advice on what to do once the drought ends? I still have a lot of clover that is hanging on but grass and weeds are more drought tolerant. I've been mowing to keep in check but I'm not sure my clover stand is going to be strong enough to recover. Could you offer some advice or perhaps a short video on options for "post drought food plot restart"?

[@artbrennhofer8283]

Hi Jeff, so when you spray the weeds in that strip do you plant more clover with some type of a cover plot seed? Thanks for all the informative videos. Happy 4th to you and yours.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Art, thank YOU! I will give it a good kill and then plant our Duel Threat 365 the end of July, which is a brassica and clover combo. The clover will come up really nice in the Spring then...the brassica strip will be there for the Fall.

[@rickhelps9879]

ok, read the comments below as far as what too do. I did the 24d Gly combo... hope it worked. the water hemp is tough stuff. still wont have buckwheat to get the ultimate no til going.

[@stephenkendall6108]

Seeded and plot seems stunted after almost three weeks of rain. Set a camera up a week and half ago…..food plot is loaded nightly about 45-50 minutes before dark and then again around 2-3 am. With the occasional browser around noonish. Plants just can’t keep up lol. Deer are like Hoover vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers combined. I’m definately gonna have to spray and reseed before season mid-late august with something going into season. They’ve hit it so hard grass is starting to show itself can’t spray now I don’t think without killing the plants that are trying to grow. Got back into the bedding area deep yesterday it’s a 3-400 yard walk gotta find the best ambush spot it’s THICK. So it’s before he enters or after he exits.

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

a york rake would clear the debris with very little soil disturbance.....and easily burned. bingo...clover and brassica!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

The only bad thing is even lightly scratching the soil exposed weeds and burning is even worse. The thatch is fine on the ground...except for when it protects weeds underneath that lie in wait for rain and aren't exposed to the earlier chemicals that were applied. As of right now I can spray once, kill all the weeds and then replant in about 4 weeks when I plant the rest of my Fall plots...will be perfect with zero weeds 😊

[@Poppy_love59]

The best way to fix your soil and grow natural grass is to put cattle and or Sheep on it. They will trim it and fertilize it for free. Add in a healthy dose of hay for winter feed and after the cattle or sheep get done with it they will have seeded the ground added fertilizer as well as had warm dry ground to sleep on as well as eat it! Just move the animals into another paddock while hunting !

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Oh man I wish! Cattle destroy and rape the land. Spreading weed seeds, compacting the soil and eroding the soil. Very, very bad for food plot areas and although necessary to have cattle...they absolutely scar the landscape for sometimes decades to come and do not mix with wildlife in any way.

[@kurtcaramanidis5705]

You should always have something green and growing in the soil. Sad to see that bare ground.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You always want to take care of weeds...that's the #1 chore for a food plotter. By far. Also, when using no till practices it's not always appropriate to have something growing...in fact it can be a very poor practice to have any blanket approach to food plotting. What's sad is you not having enough experience to know better, yet you still make a comment...

[@kurtcaramanidis5705]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Okay. Thank you.

[@butt562]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 BOOM -Goodnight KURT