3 EZ Steps For Great Food Plots

[@underdogoutdoors]

Best deer hunting channel online! Appreciate everything you do for us!

[@h-minus2212]

Excellent insight on an effective way to prepare food plots. I don't do food plots, but I know that your information and experience is a blessing to many. Thank you and good luck this fall.

[@ajkelley20]

Great video. This is my first food plot, I feel real organized from watching your videos over the last several months. Thanks

[@drewharman1690]

Morning Jeff love starting my morning off watching your videos!

[@amosfisher1069]

Great content as usual! Im looking to plant about 3 acres this fall. Super excited!

[@RonFleener]

Full of unlimited information. Thank you

[@jowhi9296]

My property was full of golden rod and red osurr dogwood. Instead of a crimper which I can't afford I used a flail mower which mulches everything. I think that leaves a nice covering on the ground same as a crimper what do you think?

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

another great video. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you very much Jack!

[@whitetailhabitatandhunting]

Thanks Jeff! Getting some rain today! Less then a month tell we plant!

[@kurtpearson2793]

I’m stuck with tilling this fall, I have been hoping for advice! Thanks for the information!

[@kurtpearson2793]

@Number 1 Western Fan howdy!

[@kurtpearson2793]

@Number 1 Western Fan I’m headed west this fall! Montana elk/mule/whitetail 👍. Love the west !!!

[@kurtpearson2793]

@Number 1 Western Fan You’re welcome to head west to SE Minnesota and hunt our “Driftless” river bottom bucks! Lots of state land opportunities 👍. Not sure how much a nonresident tag is but you could stay for free! (My place not Jeff’s!)

[@kurtpearson2793]

@Number 1 Western FanRight!! My family drag races nationally and travel costs are crazy.

[@bowman8316]

@@kurtpearson2793 good luck Kurt 👍🏼

[@johnfriend4275]

Thanks as always Jeff. So appreciate what you share. Can you do a video or comment on fertilizing food plots. When do you do? Half with buckwheat planting and then half into buckwheat when you plant the plot in August. Thanks.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi John, I will do that soon!

[@aaroncoleman2615]

OK Jeff, Whitetail habitats solutions you have me intrigued with cementing in a red cedar. Can you explain that process?

[@isaacketner1893]

Great video! Excited to put my property together for the first time this summer (we just bought it in October). Can you give some recommendations on planting corn without large equipment?

[@austinbishop489]

Jeff I want to work with you I’ll travel wherever you need me I could film, plant, cut. Anything. I can even harvest one of those mature bucks lol

[@eddiewallace5272]

Dang good video, keep them coming ✅💥✌️

[@ozarkhabitatcreations9706]

On my place I got tons of summer bucks I’m in southern Missouri in the ozarks then September rolls around an they leave no pictures no sightings nothing then as soon as rifle season opens in November every buck for miles is there so you have any idea why? An we stay off the farm til after rifle season every year so I know it’s not hunting pressure

[@bowman8316]

Thank you Jeff ! No rain in ten day forecast 😭 Praying for late summer storms

[@bowman8316]

@Number 1 Western Fan lol yes ... nice ! Lucky you got rain in PA

[@bowman8316]

@Number 1 Western Fan hope that happens here soon !

[@kurtpearson2793]

I’m watching weather daily- WHS has turned me into a hunting hobby farmer! Hope you get some rain! Been lucky here-

[@bowman8316]

@@kurtpearson2793 thanks Kurt 👍🏼🤞

[@Robert-em3fv]

i was in contact with John C about a buckwheat planning we done he recommended it I picked up a light weight drag that john C recommender it only to scratch the surface of the soil

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I have outstanding luck just throwing the seed on the soil 😊 For buckwheat, rye, brassica. Clover, chicory, oats, wheat

[@claytonzak948]

My new foodplot of buckwheat didnt workout this year. Came up and looked outstanding. Soon turned yellow and never grew passed 10" high. 😬

[@dylanthrall5657]

Do you recommend having a cover crop for chicory

[@billy-zx10r]

Can you do a video on tips on how to hunt swamp bucks?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I sure can...watch on Sunday 😊

[@billy-zx10r]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 sweet. will do. thanks

[@huntorbehunted2989]

I'm from South Eastern Oklahoma here we have a bunch of pine trees clear cuts stays dry in sumer few White Oak everything stays really thick

[@suttonoutdoors6334]

Love the video and information. Can I ask about water wholes. With the drought is it ok to use water from your tap?

[@timhatfield6367]

City water W/chlorine? I'd probably throw a little dirt in it maybe with some algea. Chlorine would not be good but it would disapate fairly soon..and if your thirsty you'd probably drink it. Mosquitoes will be finding it soon as it will kinda stagnate if it's not out in the wind somewhere. Just my thoughts , brother.

[@Duckslayer883]

Do you spray them seed then fertilizer on the last spray

[@beachralph]

Hello Jeff hopefully I didn’t plant my food to early I planted brassica just last weekend had a couple days of light rain and I used fertilizer after I planted do think it will grow for fall

[@NorthOf8]

Jeff recommends brassica planting at end of July during your 3rd glyphosate spray to give it a head start and before planting winter rye in mid August. You may have planted a bit early. Hope you get a lot of rain.

[@alexpinnow6509]

Any benefit to mowing rye in the future Jeff over spraying?

[@machinistx-.4286]

What if you couldn’t spray late May/early June. Can you still spray now and again early august to plant late august/early September?

[@Robert-em3fv]

Is a drag a good tool to have for harder soils

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Robert! I have harder clay type soil and I never use one...

[@Robert-em3fv]

i was contact with John C about a buckwheat planning we done he recommended it I picked up a light weight one john C recommender it only to scratch the surface of the soil

[@theangusburger30]

Jeff, absolutely love your content. I have a 3.5 acre hay field on our farm we want to convert to switch grass/diversity pockets and a food plot snaking through in line with the rest of our habitat improvements. The field has yet to be cut this year, and has several 0.15 acre pockets of autumn olive/small saplings. What would be the best way to start tackling the field? Should we brush hog first and then spray with glyphosate/24d, or should we spray first? (I recognize it’s a little late to start switch for this year, just trying to establish a foundation for frost seeding and next years seed).

[@alexpinnow6509]

Wil may be just outside of the window for switch but if you have some you can certainly try to establish a border! I did this a couple weeks back and expect 3' growth by fall; broadcast switch and then spray and plan to mow 1-2 times to give switch a chance. Regarding the food portion if you mow low now just to begin to manage all the thatch and spray in a week or so that will be a benefit. Hope that makes a bit of sense but feel free to reply here and I can try to help out. Brush hog is a powerful tool in conquering these overgrown fields --just bought one and have many projects planned

[@nickhaskell7233]

Jeff, question for you about planting a new food plot with regards to tilling/disking the field. I just bought a new piece of property that has a great location for a plot, however the field is extremely rutted up from when the previous owner did some bulldozer work to clear the field. My plan was to till/disk the field this year to get it more level and then in future years, use your no till method. Does that seem like a reasonable thought process? I love all of your content, so thank you! Just ordered your book, well, asked my wife to get it for me for Christmas. :)

[@ncbackwoods6859]

I really appreciate your videos. 2 months til bow season for us 🦌🦌 how can I get in touch with you

[@bowman8316]

Thanks for another great video ! WNY needs rain so bad... ag corn and beans are even showing drought signs. My buckwheat's so stunted ! Looking to August for radish planting, then wheat and rye in September 🤞🤞🤞🌾🦌

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks David, I hope you get that rain very soon!

[@quantumtruthseeker210]

Same here in eastern WV. All three of my buckwheat plots are essentially a total failure. Less than an inch of rain in over 6 weeks.

[@bowman8316]

@@quantumtruthseeker210 we had less than an inch too... hope it turns around for all of us that are dry ! Good luck man 🤞

[@timhatfield6367]

Yes we just went 18 long hot days with no rain here in north central Indiana. Finally got a few hour or two rains (coons broke rain gauge) over the last couple days, and a good one in the evening so it could soak in overnight. Everything looks good..considering. That praying stuff must work!

[@bowman8316]

@@timhatfield6367 lol 👍🏼 Thanks Tim🌾🦌

[@kevinfowler6065]

What do you do with last years corn fields?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Kevin! I plant rye in thr spring, brushhog, and drill back into after a final spraying of 2-4D and Gly

[@micon9460]

I have a problem....planted the buck wheat mid June and the deer have literally eaten almost every single sprout on 2.5ac!!! Should I just disc and seed this August or should I try reseeding buchwheat?

[@mdotson9496]

Same here last season. Also happened in the fall with brassicas. Very high browsing. I ended up doing Jeffs layered Rye to save my season. It's the only thing that keeps up with heavy browsing on one of my parcels.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

We use the soils builder in areas where deer eat buckwheat. Not much in the form Of deer food on it.

[@Alexander.McDonald]

Does anyone have any advice for hay taking over a clover filed?

[@justinstrong2811]

is it to late to no till an acre on my land I was gonna cut my grass to the deck and plant? I have a section like the weeds behind u is it to late to lay that over and spray it? I'm gonna test the soil and lime it if needed. I guess I wanna know if I'm gonna waste my money hah

[@dennybirchfield]

Depends on where you're located what state what part of the state

[@dennybirchfield]

For example I'm in Southern Ohio and I don't plant until early August

[@justinstrong2811]

Well right plan is to plant in August but he mentions the steps he takes to prep for that. South East Michigan

[@dennybirchfield]

@@justinstrong2811 I'd say start spraying it now and ur prob OK to plant a plot this year might not be able to get buckwheat in this year but you could easily get a nice brassica crop for fall

[@jessehanger]

Hi Jeff, me and a buddy of mine are planning to turn a hay field into a food plot this august. The hay was cut off of it last month and we’re planning to disk it, spray it, broadcast brassica onto it, and then drag it. Does this seem like an adequate way to do this or do you recommend another way. Thanks!

[@stevepalmateer]

Mr. Sturgis, may I ask whether you ever used controlled fire in the UP of MI? Or is it just too risky with the big timber?

[@kevinfowler6065]

What do you do with your last year corn fields?

[@mdotson9496]

What about soil testing, lime and fertilizer? Am I over thinking it. Is it even needed for a brassica planting? This is what I have the most trouble with and has the largest expense.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Very critical...but so many miss the planting basics

[@markst.martinii9635]

Jeff, in Portage, WI area, after planting buckwheat and letting it grow, in early August would you recommend spreading Northwoods Whitetails Fall Forage Blend? Do you think that is a good blend to spread in the buckwheat before we crush it? Or should I use a different smaller seeded blend?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

It depends on if it’s sandy soil or nice black quality soils. Fall forage or fall forage sandy soil does better thank lesser soils

[@markst.martinii9635]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 thank you for the reply! We bought clover, a forage blend, and buckwheat from you guys. We were blown away! The quality of the product was incredible. It will be the only place we order our seeds from

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@markst.martinii9635 thanks

[@jesslondon9375]

I have no choice but to keep tilling. We cant use herbicides where I'm located. Sucks.

[@davidtpierce]

Thank God I have a tractor and can choose the best way to work my plots. Sometimes it's better to use it and sometimes it's better not to. Being closed minded and Only having "one way" or opinion on what works is just wrong. As you always point out.... I've been planting and doing food plots and small farming for 35 years. And I've had almost zero failures. So I too "know what I'm doing". I use buckwheat like you promote over 25 years ago in areas I was trying to build the soil. Of course I have discovered things that work better with trial and error. Anyway, don't be ashamed to use your equipment gentleman. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. !!!!

[@bucksniper65]

It seems you have missed the point. It's not about will one work and not the other. It's about one being better for the soil than the other.

[@travisethridge4062]

I had beautiful brassicas this past fall 3ft tall and wide. Didn't once see a deer eat it. Beautiful though lol

[@bowman8316]

Jeff once mentioned planting light peas with brassicas to establish use. This august will be my first brassicas planting and I'm putting peas with it... hope it works 🤞🤞

[@travisethridge4062]

@@bowman8316 hope so too. I am not saying deer won't eat brassicas just the deer around here are not familiar with it. Clover and rye I had deer daily so that's gonna be for my area. Good luck buddy

[@bowman8316]

@@travisethridge4062 thanks man.. same to you 👍🏼🦌

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@travisethridge4062 add peas or some beans at the next planting.

[@LuisDiaz-pl2tu]

Almost tripped as soon as read how to hunt the whitetail rut😂 it’s an endangered species in my country

[@bowman8316]

I'd MOOOVE ! 🤣

[@suzmell1]

We need rain in the southern tier of upstate been Ova a month planted buckwheat 1st week in June and so far nothing too show for my efforts Mother Nature not cooperating so far SMH

[@bowman8316]

I'm with you man ! WNY is dryer than a popcorn fart 😭

[@ala5831]

1

[@Anding93]

I would argue that drainage is a huge factor in considering location for a food plot also. Good way to test this is to dig a hole about a cubic foot and fill it with water. Wait until it drains, and fill it again. If the hole is still full of water a day later, u have bad drainage

[@Anding93]

But I've also heard for wet spots that u can put straw down and then black dirt on top and it creates a hydroponic bed. If there's a will, there's a way.

[@dswish1730]

Off content??Never had problems with ants till I saw your video.2 out of 5 full.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I'm hoping I never fall in them 😊

[@kylerentmeester]

If anyone is looking for a habitat hook I have one I don’t need anymore

[@billbergquist4722]

Seems unethical to lure deer with a food plot. That's just deer killing. Learn their habits in their natural environment then set up an ambush.

[@dylanthrall5657]

Do you recommend having a cover crop for chicory

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I would never recommend planting chicory alone. It is a great cover crop for clover tho...at about 1 pound per acre if you have dry conditions.

[@ala5831]

I have an antique corn planter, so I have to till. Last year I tilled a little deeper and the corn was up about 3 inches looking good. Then I noticed a green haze from a distance, the whole field was covered in lambs quarter. Never saw it in that spot before. Unfortunately I don’t use RR corn. Now I’m spraying it after every rain trying to control it. Some day I will get a drill.