Deer Food Plots The Simple Way - #8 Seeding Your Plots

[@Gilbertking-c3i]

Wow thank you from Canada 🇨🇦 great stuff

[@mattmorse]

Glad to help!

[@richstafford1245]

I prefer the earthway bag spreader. I think seeding is mostly by feel and just comes with experience. I like the bag spreader so I can actually feel the seed hitting my hand as I slowly open the gate. I never use the number settings. I will mix my brassica or clover seeds. I will put one fourth of the seed in and walk the entire one acre. I barely throttle open the gate. Sometimes a quarter of the seed takes two times around the plot to disperse. Then I repeat three more times. Lots of walking but I like and need the exercise..

[@andrewkubash8019]

Great tips! Thanks for the info!

[@mattmorse]

My pleasure, Andrew!

[@patriotmjb]

Great tip about spreading clover seed separate from radish

[@baovercomer9021]

I have never thought about using radish in a clover plot sounds like something I would like to try, great tip. I do use clover and rye together and I mow the rye August 1st then again two weeks later, free seed. The deer loved it last year so much my father was complaining about his plot having no deer. I have found if you plant clover in the fall, it does not grow very good the first year, but the next year it will take off.

[@mattmorse]

Hi Jack. Radish doesn't always germinate well in thick clover, but just enough that I think it's worth doing. I seed it pretty heavy at 9 lbs. per acre. Mowing rye in August is a good option. I talk about that in video #6 - Terminating Rye. You are exactly right about clover. Not much there the first fall, but the following spring it really takes off. Thanks for your comments!

[@stevegermain1222]

Just read your last comment, 15 lb of clover and 9 lb of radish per acre seems pretty high. Not arguing just stating my opinion. Really enjoying your videos so far thank you for taking the time

[@mattmorse]

They are high seeding rates, Steve. With this method of top-sowing, you don't get the same germination rates as covering the seeds with soil, so I generally seed at about double the normal rate.

[@briandarling788]

Thanks for the videos Matt! Just watched the whole series this morning. Do you do anything after you seed your plots, such as rolling it for good seed to soil contact, or just seed when we are going to have a few days of good rain? Im in Northern Kent county so dealing with a similar planting scenario.

[@mattmorse]

Hi Brian! It doesn't hurt to roll after broadcasting if you've got the time, although I don't think it's critical. A good heavy rain after sowing will do more to help germination than anything, in my opinion. Good luck!

[@paulsell2438]

I too break my plots into sections and pace the spreading of seed to ensure a more even mix...good info. I think one area people fail at, I know I did, is making sure they have an accurate square footage measurement of each field. This saves a lot of money on seed and soil amendments.

[@mattmorse]

Good point, Paul. Google Earth has a measuring tool that I use to get the right acreage for seeding.

[@paulsell2438]

@@mattmorse that's probably more accurate than me using a range finder...but the satellite images of my property haven't updated since I put in my plots, so I made do 🤷‍♂️🤣

[@swampah5155]

@@paulsell2438 Take a GPS and mark as many waypoints as you need then plot them on Google Earth and use the measuring device (Polygon in the ruler section). My GE maps are 2016 and I used this system for 2022.

[@baysidecorals4073]

Do you plant clover, radish, and rye all in the same day or do you wait a couple of weeks between plantings?

[@mattmorse]

Good question. I generally plant all on the same day, but it's not necessary. You could spread it out over a few days if it's more convenient. Sometimes I will spread 100 lbs/ac rye and then come back in a few weeks and add another 50-100 lbs/ac rye. This "layering" approach gives you young rye at different stages in your plots which may keep it a little more attractive to deer in the early hunting season.

[@craiglamb8056]

What settings do you use in that seeder for clover and radish?

[@mattmorse]

Hi Craig. Thanks for your question. Actually, I kind of just eye-ball it. I open the chute on the spreader just a little bit wider than the largest seeds in the mix.

[@kfranklin308]

I have been watching the videos. I may have missed it but I’m wondering what is your process for starting a new plot and maintaining it year around. From start to finish what are the steps besides the obvious soil test, clearing and amendments. Spray it, seed it then roll the weeds down? In the spring just roll and spray the rye? Then in the fall spray it, seed it and roll it again starting over?

[@mattmorse]

You've pretty much got it, Kevin. I don't spray the rye after I roll it. I plan to do one more video where I summarize everything and spell out my program step by step. That should be helpful to you.

[@kfranklin308]

@@mattmorse awesome thank you! I really appreciate it! I’m picking up a roller tomorrow. I will definitely be following this routine. It’s so much easier and cheaper. I have been using a disc and have to spend several days discing and still have weed problems.

[@mattmorse]

@@kfranklin308 I think everyone has weed problems, Kevin. My system isn't perfect, but, like you said, easier and cheaper.

[@mattmorse]

Here's a short version: FIRST YEAR 1. clear new food plot and apply 2 qt/ac glyphosate early June and early August. 2. late August, top-sow fall mix and 150#/ac rye SUBSEQUENT YEARS 1. late June: top-sow 9#/ac radish, roll with lawn roller 2. late August, top-sow 150#/ac rye WEED CONTROL YEARS 1. late June, roll with lawn roller 2. early August, apply 2 qt/ac glyphosate, late August top-sow fall mix and 150#/ac rye

[@kfranklin308]

I want to do this mix of clover, rye and radish. How many pounds per acre of each should I plant?

[@mattmorse]

Sorry I missed your comment here, Kevin. I think I answered this same question on another video, but just for everyone's benefit, I use 3 lbs./ac ladino, 5 alsike, 7 medium red, 9 radish and about 150 rye grain.

[@BlanchardsBees]

May I ask where you buy your seed from?

[@mattmorse]

Hi Blanchard's Bees. Yes. Leroy Milling Co., Leroy, MI