Food Plots: Why Pay for Fertilizer? (688)

[@robertjordan4755]

I have a unique situation as my land is 22.6 arc, and 3 acr is our training facility ( weapons, tactics, medical training) surrounded by cattle farms, so finding a location for food plots is tough. We have some areas; however, the size is the issue (like 75 yards in circumference). We have water and a few Oak trees on the edge of the property. So learning more about small food plots is a must for us to keep deer.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Robert - We have several videos about small food plots, including one video of a seminar recently - it's called Hidey Hole plots.

[@brianstiff5680]

Like to hear all I can about letting nature work with me and saving time and money. Keep the great information coming.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Brian!

[@old509cc2]

I like how this info is being proposed beyond food plots. Get the message out.Big AG needs to change their way of farming. It all comes down to money, if more content like this challenges their biggest argument, things might start to change. God bless the little man

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for the blessing!

[@DracoLorenz]

It would be really nice to get a condensed video of what to plant and when. So someone that is starting the “buffalo system” and “no till” could get on the same rotation as most of your food plots. Such as: Best time of year to start the buffalo system, proper seedbed upon starting the rotation, what to plant and how to keep it going to achieve similar results as seen in your videos. With and without heavy equipment. I’m sure there are people like me that want to start this process. However, we don’t have a full idea of what you’re planting, at the correct time, to achieve the soil quality you have. Video could be called, “How to start and maintain the buffalo system for years to come.” Or something like that…. Thank you for producing great content!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Draco - Thanks for the suggestions! We'll work on this as I think it's a good idea! As we've learned much more, we call the process of improving the soil and crop's health the Release System. More soon!

[@Ghillie-bp6tl]

Shared with multiple friends who, much like me, are in our first year or so of following this method. Saving our birthday money for equipment (we're definitely sharing it over the next few years) and better seed. A series covering specific points with more depth would be incredibly beneficial to us, Dr. Grant. Tha ks!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Ghillie!

[@chrisjohnson3887]

Love learning about soil health and how to keep it healthy. It’s not an easy thing to do especially here in central Florida but with two years of no till I’m seeing the difference now. My latest soil tests were night and day different one year apart. Thanks for all your work to help others to figure this out.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Chris - Nice work and thanks for the update! I look forward to hearing more about your project!

[@mattjohnston4479]

Thank you for taking the time to explain this information, I greatly appreciate it!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Matt - Thanks for the encouraging words!

[@kcavery7968]

I'm definitely interested in this topic. My land is in northern Wisconsin. Mostly sandy soils, tough to get a nice productive food plot.

[@jordanhill5072]

Kc I'm in north west Wisconsin look into ray archuleta Gabe brown or David Brandt on you tube they say there is no place that this won't work.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Kc - It's fun to watch sandy soils turn darker and be more productive as the Release Process is implemented! Never till sandy soils - as it sets the improvements back to zero!

[@BrettFox]

Hoping to save money on fertilizer this year. 2nd year food plot. Had decent cereal rye and crimson clover and about to kill it all off and plant our summer cover crop to add nutrients and keep weeds supressed for the fall. Would love more videos that don't require a crimper or seed drill as these are not available to most of us who are diy and doing this with an atv on just an acre or three.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Brett - We'll do more of those soon! We can make good progress at improving the soil's health with hand tools, but not as quick as with a drill and crimper so have realistic expectations!

[@robertjordan4755]

Please teach more about soil

[@heavenlygamefarm2037]

LOVE the information you share at all levels! Enjoying the journey of “releasing” the potential of our proving grounds here at Heavenly Game Farm lead by your instruction. thank you!!!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks and let me know how it's going!

[@creekriseoutdoors]

And prices continue to rise. With my new 180 acres in Ga.. I want to get to a place where I don’t blade the ground and have great soil. Starting with a fairly low PH so work to do. Thanks for all the info Grant.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

You are wise to work toward improving the soil's health! That's the basis for all conversation!

[@johnlindsay8630]

God bless thanks for the knowledge

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for the blessing John!

[@McClureOutdoor]

Really like this topic, been following Green cover seed for a couple years now

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Green Cover does great work!

[@rickyvandawater5152]

love your content! very helpful topics and very consistent 👍

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I appreciate that!

[@mikeedenfield4076]

Thank you, would love to learn more on improving soil

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Mike! We'll be sharing more soon!

[@GWHcraig1088]

i like the "poor mans way" videos. i plan of doing a 1/2 acer of clover. specifically Imperial Whitetail clover. i have my ATV, but everything else is going to have to be done by hand unless i can find a way to get a disk drag in there. No roads, or easy trails to bring equipment in. The area is an old farm pasture that is no longer in use. The owner does brush hog it down, but that is all. this may have to be done with hand tools only. i know you have some videos on the subject and i have watched them all! Looking forward to learning what i can before i start the prosses.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Craig - We'll be showing more Hand Tool methods soon!

[@umtduckhead]

Let’s get some ideas on sunflowers. Clean ground is important for doves. Any ideas on saving fertilizer cost while keeping bare ground?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

The best method is to use prescribed fire to expose the seed and remove the duff. The roots will still be in place so not all soil quality features are lost. Keeping the soil covered is best to improve the soil's health and improve soil quality, however, by having a good fall crop with a diverse blend much of the soil's health can be restored after the fire!

[@joshward9835]

All this sounds good but a majority of us food plotters don t have access to no till or crimper. Also my deer heard so high they will not even let summer stuff grow. You coming back to Tuscaloosa anytime soon? I live in columbus, ms. You probably drove thru to get to Tuscaloosa and would love for you to come look at my property.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Josh - We will be assisting two landowners in Mississippi later this spring and will be happy to assist you. There is a fee for our service and it depends on the number of acres and location (travel costs). If you are interested in our assistance, please email the location of your property and number of acres and any other information that will help us learn about your land to [e-mail]. We look forward to visiting with you and touring your property!

[@bamafever92]

We don’t use a crimper or a no till drill method. But does bush hogging and discing our fall and summer plots into the soil still do a lot of benefiting to our soil?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Bama - Unfortunately no. Disking always degrades soil. It collapses all exiting root channels, wormholes, etc., kills worms by the gads, allows way more oxygen in the soil that wormholes - which allow the perfect amount of air to the roots, etc. Disking also allows wind and water erosion and creates a hardpan below the disk level - disk are heaving and they pack the soil below the disked level. It's better to broadcast the new crop and then terminate the standing or mature crop with a herbicide.

[@saltybr]

I love growing deer TV, but I especially love the intros that last for 75% of video length, then drop the sponsor ads. Get the message out, make your living, but don’t be a sell out! Great job and great content.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for your suggestion. I don't understand all of it but I'm willing to learn more!

[@davidhardin7437]

I to enjoy Growing Deer TV and I am thankful for all the great content in your videos so keep up the great work. I don’t mind the sponsor ads as they support you and provide me with free information and I hope funds for your family. As long as you do not compromise TRUTH, keep doing what you’re doing. God Bless you your family and this show/ministry.

[@dougswinton3365]

If in doing the buffalo system, and putting in a summer crop like summer release or buckwheat. Is rotation of your fall crop necessary? If I do brassica release one year should I rotate to something else the next year? Thank you and appreciate your coaching/teaching.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Buckwheat is a great species. However a blend is always better for the soil's health than a single species. There's buckwheat in the Summer Release blend and the Browse Pressure Release. There's also brassicas. Blends also provide an attractive food source throughout the growing season versus one species.

[@carterarcher6846]

Mr. Woods, do all of your food plots blends also benefit turkeys or what blends work best for turkey & deer? Thanks and God Bless!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Carter - Turkeys eat quality clover which is in all our blends and the insects these plants attract. We tag a bunch of toms at our plots each year!

[@jeremywilliams7439]

Just curious as how long do you feel it takes the previous crop to break down so that fertility is released and available to your upcoming crop?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jeremy - It will start breaking down (roots and the above ground portion) as soon as it's terminated. The speed at which it breaks down will be determine by the number of critters (insects and microbes) and amount of moisture. Each year you use the Release Process the duff will break down quicker and the new crop will grow better!

[@joesaucer7367]

Do you have any people down in Central Florida, Orlando area, that are doing this? We just started last year, but want to work with others and can't seem to get any support around here.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Joe - some of the citrus farmers are using this system and stopping the citrus diseases! Improving the soil's health is very important to most crops and critters!

[@sugarmike1506]

I know you discuss not using fertilizer or lime for many years. Do we have to get our PH and Fertility right before we start though? I get not needing more but I would assume we have to correct things first?

[@brettbaker5599]

That would make it easier. Concentrate on PH first. You'll need less fertilizer that way.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Sugar Mike - Living and decomposing plants and the associated microbes (bacteria) will improve the soil's pH. This process make take a season or two pending on many factors, but works and is not only costs much less than adding lime and synthetic fertilizer, it also avoids the soil compaction that results from spreading those heavy products. In addition, synthetic fertilizer is very toxic to the beneficial critters in the soil that make the natural elements available to the plants!

[@craigstewart5420]

Hi Dr. Woods, I recently had about two acres of Virginia pine old growth cleared for a food plot. The soil pH is very low about 4.7-5.0. Should I spread and disc in the ash when the trees are burned to help amend the soil? My excavator suggests digging a pit and burying the ash instead.

[@deepmarsh]

He suggests that because it’s the easiest fastest thing for him to do. I cant give any advice on the soil, but I run a trackhoe everyday and My opinion is that you should only dig a hole if you want it to have water and fish in it

[@noqs5048]

I would not bury the ash as it will concentrate the ash in a small area. Ash will raise pH. I would rake, drag, harrow to spread the ash to effect the entire field. One suggestion, a really hot fire will kill microorganisms. If possible, I would spread the material and have numerous smaller fires. Raking or dragging after would give more consistent results over the entire field.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Discing degrades soil faster than almost anything! You'd be better off to simply spread the ash and plant or let the contactor bury ash. I certainly prefer burying the stumps. Stump piles next to plots usually become coyote condos next the plot - which has ugly results for deer.

[@smallfishbigpond5047]

Thanks for the great info! Will the fall release blend do OK on wetter soils?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

There's a wide range of wetter soils. If moist, yes - if the plants have wet feet, then I'm not aware of any quality forage crop that grows well in saturated soils.

[@smallfishbigpond5047]

Thanks for the answer. I have grown good forage in these moist plots in north central Wisconsin. But if it's a super wet year it sounds like any type of blend will struggle. Will the fall release blend do well this far north? Thank you for the education!

[@MegaBraunie]

I wish there was easy rotations for us with NO drills. Also my soil test is showing a 7.9ph. This number is above the target area. Does this mean fertilizers will not help my situation?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

We'll be sharing out hand tool techniques soon! No tills will produce better results but the soil can be improved, cost decreased, and deer attracted with our hand tool techniques!

[@brettbaker5599]

Fertilizer will help, but not lime.

[@nickcasto8009]

Great information. For far too long, over-fertilization has been used as a solution to poor farming practices with resulting increased nutrient run-off and loss of soil quality and quantity.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Nick - I agree! Hopefully folks are learning!

[@mackenziemitchell1109]

Okay but the reason it takes that much to produce a bushel thats if you harvest it, but deer eat and spread manure at the same time so how much could really be used up

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mackenzie - Many production ag farmers have learned that there are more nutrients in the soil than crops need. However, the microbes or life in the soil is dead due to tillage and synthetic fertilizers. These farmers produce great crops and harvest them. Deer and other critters do add life or microbes back to the soil which is a big part of the cycle!

[@Mike-nt1to]

Can you drill into clover with a new crop?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mike - During the spring clover is growing well and will out compete new seedlings. If the clover stand is in good shape, you'd be better to let it grow and then drill a fall crop into it when the clover lays down during the late summer. If the clover crop is thinning, etc., you may need to terminate it with a herbicide and then drill.

[@denniswilliams1754]

Dig deeper? Dig a hole to China! This is great info. You should get Rae Archuleta to join you and do a video. Keith and green cover seeds is a great resource.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@arronlockyer5424]

I know you burn your woods but do you ever burn your food plots?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Arron - I do burn the smaller plots to remove duff and weeds and prepare the seedbed for broadcasting seed! This is a great practice when a no till drill isn't available.

[@derriusreid391]

Prescribe burn and plot boost for me this year😅

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Nice work Derrius!

[@loamy]

Huh?!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Stephen - What don't you understand?

[@loamy]

@@GrowingDeerTV I guess 10:00 to 10:45 is advanced and a little over my head, hence “huh?” Also can you recommend one of your videos that expand on “inoculation”? that peeked my interest. Is it some kind of enzyme?