No Till Food Plot Timeline

[@jongebb]

love the method, as a hunter and college graduate in biology. WAY TO CARE FOR THE LAND THAT WE ALL LIVE ON.

[@danding24]

This might be the best video I’ve seen from you guys. If I didn’t understand the no till method before, I definitely do now. Thanks!

[@ndoering1]

My best plots have been with this method. Thanks Jeff and team.

[@jerrodharper6508]

I planted winter rye in my clover in October last year. Not all my clover plot but some. It provided great cover for me this spring to Turkey hunt. It got 5’ tall and I bushhogged it 2 weeks ago and Turkey are in it every day now and my clover is doing great. It’s growing right thru the stems of the winter rye.

[@keithgunderson8926]

Maybe the worst spring ever for planting anything, zero rain..

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It's looking pretty good for us over the next 10 days here 😊 We've had a lot of seed go in the ground over the last week. Still too early for buckwheat by me tho...that's more around mid June. Hoping for more rain then!

[@JBesq]

My buckwheat not looking good in NY

[@alexpinnow6509]

Buckwheat has germinated for me with zero rain and just humidity from river so now when it rains my seed won't wash away! Going to be a good summer

[@jacksonstierwalt9606]

Experimenting with Milo here in Southern IN. Would love to hear your thoughts on: - Grain sorghum in general for deer - How/why you might or might not use it on your property

[@paulsell2438]

Take that challenge as an opportunity to focus on killing native vegetation (weeds)

[@alexpinnow6509]

Such a good method for us guys without the equipment or finances for no till drills

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It really is Alex...and so much faster too. I would argue that buckwheat is a better soil builder than anything out there as well as the only true smother crop for weed growth that can be used.

[@janitorialguy4436]

Thanks Jeff, always enjoy listening

[@jacobwoj6093]

Great video. Good timing. We are working on our plots this week. Cant wait to see how it turns out.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Enjoy the process Jake!

[@timhatfield6367]

Thanks for my game plan! I'm ready to play! Coach Jeff..

[@drewharman1690]

My first year planting your no till I planted the buck wheat 2 early and had to much over seed! Last year just allowed 6 weeks of growth and did great!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Makes such a huge difference Drew. Really Happy it worked out for you! Definitely 6 weeks on good soil...

[@drewharman1690]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 do you put fertislizer down on your buckwheat ever?

[@rickhelps9879]

Just sprayed and put my buckwheat in yesterday. Lets pray we get that rain today :)

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man we need it so bad 😊 Good luck Rick!

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Yes sir. I have 2 inches of top soil with 2 feet of white sand under it. I had to put leaf litter over my buckwheat to retain moisture.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Now that's extreme! Good luck Eli!

[@max_moto2877]

Looking good for rain in the forecast!!

[@michaelanthonyoutdoors]

Thanks Jeff. I took your food plot course and did this last year on two small hunting plots. Worked out great. Will be doing again this year but on a larger scale and some fine tuning. Can’t wait! Got more daylight trail cam photos of mature bucks this year than previous years before. Gotta love it!

[@IsaacSwift-uc7jq]

Thanks Jeff! Can't wait to plant this fall! Can't believe it's already June!

[@bluelineoutdoors2726]

Been over a month of no pereceptation in west Michigan, the weeds aren't even growing lol. Some rain chances in the next 8 days, hope to get some buck wheat in. Thanks for the great videos as usual.

[@alexpinnow6509]

Buckwheat is pretty hardy remember and can sit for a while. I don't have sandy soils but am usually trying to broadcast around river flood events so I had Buckwheat down around mid may this year as well. Naturally it's been bone dry in SW WI until the last few days and Buckwheat still managed to germinate

[@ColeWrisinger]

Hi Jeff, thank you so much for your videos. This is my first year doing food plots period on my ground. I am putting in about three acres total all with your ultimate no till method here in mid Missouri. I put in a significant amount of switchgrass screening as well. I put my buckwheat down yesterday and I am a bit concerned now that I have put it down too early; however, I was very concerned about not getting more rainfall later in June. My question for you is this... would you mind sharing the setting that you use on your Earthway spreader? I use the same one. All of my seed came from John Komp at Northwoods Whitetails. Thanks for what you do. Thanks, Cole

[@timmytuffy5344]

My rye is 5 feet tall well before June so I can’t wait or I have all that to deal with and then it’s ready to seed which I don’t want. So I’d rather have taller older buckwheat cause it’s much easier to deal with cause it’s all water . Now this year no rain it might almost be better but I had to deal with the rye 3 weeks ago already

[@gregallman3715]

Great updated version, thanks Jeff! Any recommendations on the spread rate setting for pellitized lime?

[@naomicreech9870]

Hooray! I’m ordering seed this week. It’s been a crazy busy summer… we’re spreading a ton of lime on our 1 acre plot this week (probably need more, but gotta start somewhere). Our first spray was extremely successful. Thanks Gang 😅

[@robshelton6374]

Here in Southwest Missouri- I'm prepping some ground for a plot. Moving forward, I'm thinking I'll plant BWheat mid-June, then mow & rake it mid-August. At that point, my plan is to broadcast and aerate oats, ladino clover, and cereal rye into what I'm hoping becomes a real "honey-hole". I would appreciate your thoughts regarding my plan!!!

[@joeyellison9847]

Awsome stuff Jeff! A great way to start a saturday morning is to watch one of your videos while drinking some good coffee lol! Just curious, how much is a 50lb bag of buckwheat there? Im in Oklahoma and its $100 per bag. Thanks jeff always love your content, helps me every year truly.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Joey...Thanks a lot I hope it was a great morning for you! I believe our charge is $109 per bag + shipping. Not a real money make for us but we like offering it tho! Pretty expensive stuff for some reason 😊

[@TheT2tracer]

Do you believe this process would work in the Southern States. Here in Ga the clay is rock hard and I cant see the buckwheat growing on it. Even if I spread it in a rain I think it would just wash away? I will still be trying it because your videos have me pumped up. Fingers crossed.

[@timbejian9152]

I always watch your videos and I learn a lot and appreciate your knowledge. One thing you do that I don’t want to do is spraying herbicides. I just don’t want to use chemicals but I know I need to kill weeds. So my solution is I’m having an Amish friend build me a roller crimper. With that I can seed first then crimp which covers my seeds and I’m not disturbing the soil structure. I would like to know what you think. Thanks much

[@marclakatos1274]

Buckwheat just hit the ground here about 2 hours ago.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That's great Marc ..it sure looks like rain coming, too!

[@GarySkinner-s3n]

Jeff, I have 4 acres in WV that was timbered this summer and I had it cleared for a food plot. I used my tractor and rake last week to clear out debris. I have not tilled or disced ground. Getting ready to spread 4 tons of pelletized lime and 300 lbs 19-19-19. Is it too late to plant buckwheat and plant cereal rye around Labor Day? I will use cultipacker as your video shows. I plan on using your layering method of planting rye. Love your videos. Gary

[@c.s.8359]

Waiting to make the drive to the land until rain is foretasted and I can get buckwheat in. My rye will likely be in the 4'-5' range by next week. Should I mow it or roll it over on top of the buckwheat?

[@janitorialguy4436]

Thanks Jeff, are you no tilling your deer fence

[@tjcorey719]

3 1/2 -4 week drought here need that rain

[@midwesternoutdoorsandnatur8272]

Not sure why you are not rolling tall rye? It can be used as a great moisture thatch, and no till clovers and beans do great in it. It breaks down slowly and is only tying up some nitrogen, not all the “nutrients”.

[@shawnmyers9571]

Winter wheat and barasica’s for me this year

[@michaelhacker1442]

Hey Jeff great video as always. Question should I spread urea as well as spraying plot boost or will plotboost give the same results?? I am confused cause plot boost isn't a fertilizer so not sure what to do

[@kevinkirby6511]

Hey Jeff. Ill try to keep this short lol. I've been binge watching your videos last couple years in prep of owning my own hunting land. AND IT JUST HAPPENED! 85 acres south central Virginia. The property has everything except food plots. Just sent off soil samples Friday. There is 300 acres of ag on my north border they rotate corn and soybeans. first looked at property in February was a lot of buck sign scrapes/rubs, I mean ALOT. My question is... not sure of doe population so would you start small on fall food plots or go big? And would a decent bear population change what you would plant for deer?

[@markst.martinii9635]

Jeff is it a problem if you start your planting earlier? Like buckwheat in middle of May, and fall seeds early/middle July? If we are only bow hunting, would it be worth having our plots grown for the earlier season or no? Thank you I’m advance if you answer.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Mark! It depends on the soil...you either want 6 weeks prior to planting with good soil and 8 to 9 weeks prior to Fall planting on poorer soil.

[@Schooloutdoors]

Have you ever thrown fertilizer on your buckwheat to help it out?

[@JerryNett]

Hello Jeff, Love your video's. Question if possible, When do you suggest I fertilize my new food plot after knocking down and spraying the Buckwheat . Thank You

[@fueledtohunt2173]

You ever plant hd screen no till by crushing? Do you fertilize your buckwheat?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I do not fertilize my buckwheat...just my fall plantings. I also do not recommend the "HD Screening" as it needs to be cov red by soil much more than our own Deer Fence screening and it also grows its cover too high, so that you are left with cane poles that you (or deer) can see right thru. Not a very good product...

[@younghickoryoutdoors]

Should brassicas be spread into standing buckwheat or spread after the buckwheat has been rolled and killed and begins to dry up?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

If the buckwheat is less than waist high I would spread into it where it stands...if taller than waist high I would roll, kill and wait a week.

[@bowman8316]

Great video 👍🏻🌧☘🏹🦌

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you!

[@sisky365]

When does amending the soil and fertilizer come in? The problem I have is poor soil

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Typically at planting time...but also with frequent crop rotations. Always follow your soil tests....

[@jeremykane686]

so you guys know its cheaper to buy it from jeff then any where else and you get more with jeff 😊

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Jeremy! I'm not sure we are cheaper..but we do try to have the best seed with no fillers and garbage 😊

[@Avid_Conservationist]

This year I’m broadcasting brassica into standing clover then spraying with 2qts per acre glyphosate and rolling it with a cultipacker. Clover should bounce back as well as brassica I seeded correct?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Very bad idea. What happen is that the clover smothers out the brassica growth and you get little germination. You need to terminate the clover fully (not with just Glyphosate) about a month prior. Learned this fully about 20 years ago...

[@drewharman1690]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 agreed!

[@Avid_Conservationist]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 will that clover come back the following spring?

[@jmm2002]

This is the only question I’ve got. After doing no till, spreading some rye late fall, and then coming back the following spring and mowing or spraying the rye, what do I do next? Buckwheat again? And repeat the cycle and alternate greens/brassicas? That’s the only part that isn’t clear.

[@garysuter2580]

How long will Buckwheat seed last on the ground during a dry stretch and still germinate, if we finally get rain? Planted yesterday, hoping for rain tonight

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Gary...look forward to seeing you soon! At least 2 weeks...maybe 3? Let's hope we get it soon!

[@garysuter2580]

Thanks 👍@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751

[@trollhunter4510]

As a no-till organic farmer first and a hunter second, you can have no till and no spray although you will not have the flexibility of what to plant. A good stand of crimped winter rye will give you enough time to plant soybeans or corn while still killing weeds. Yr 1 Fall Rye Yr 2 Spring plant corn/beans/brassica Yr 3 Spring Buckwheat/Wheat/Barley w/ clover (for nitrogen) Yr 3 Fall Rye Yr 4 Spring corn/beans/brassica …

[@michaelhathorn8706]

Man I'm from south our buck wheat nothing like this ours more like grass .Also heat so bad u gotta plant late like end of October

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It is very drought resistant once established....but it makes a good 3 weeks of solid moisture! It never looks like grass tho? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@johnconvry3065]

The birds are eating my buckwheat seeds.Can u tell me a way to deter them on the planted food plot. Ty!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi John that's a tough one! Always important to broadcast right before a rain and that's one of the reasons for sure

[@deyoutdoors2068]

Would the buckwheat do good in southern Mississippi planting around September 1st? Brassicas will be planted around mid October.

[@markc2036]

Is your cereal rye the hairless variety? What's the cost for shipping? Thanks. Enjoyed the video.

[@Ripper0518]

In louisian still waiting on rain to plant so dry still getting fires in my area

[@RodneyComer-p3g]

Hi Jeff, I live in Southern Maryland and having trouble. I've sprayed with Glyphesate but grass and weeds come back after the rains 😢 will plant brassica at end of month. What should I do to keep weeds out but allow brassica and rye to flourish? Thank you!!

[@derikgarry2045]

Hey Jeff. Been following your program last two years. I’ve gain some attention from my neighbors seeing my food plots. Half Brassicas and split the other half with spring oats, peas, and buckwheat. Here is my question and worry. Last two seasons I haven’t been able to plant buckwheat cover crop b/c of flooding. Land on the Minnesota river, Southwest MN… so I spray weeds dead. I actually drag the ground just because the ground is kinda caked from water sitting in spring. How can I feel confidant planting the peas, oats and buckwheat on bare soil, also to note I have a packer max. So I do roll them. Brassicas not worried. They grow wonderfully on top of soil along with packer max. Long post sorry. Just wanted to explain my program. Tis the season!!!

[@ke5clr]

Do you have a recommendation for areas with very little direct sunlight?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Unfortunately I cannot in good conscience recommend anything at all that performs well as a "shade tolerant" planting. Anything just ends up so sparse and in very low value.

[@ke5clr]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you so much for the reply and the honesty. Guess I’ll stick with feeders lol

[@rbljackson]

HOw well will buckwheat do in the dry heat of summer in West Texas? Will it fail when we start getting over 100 degrees in Summer with low low humidity? If its not a good option, is there an alternative option?

[@arlynesh2718]

What 6' culti packer are you using? Been waiting on a 6 footer from packermaxx.

[@davethurston3408]

Jeff, I watch as many of your videos as I have time for. Unfortunately here in Ontario Canada access to chemicals is limited unless you have a license to spray which is almost impossible to get. As a result having a 'perfect' food plot is next to impossible...weeds Unfortunately are something we have to deal with. Any suggestions?

[@russellshirk1148]

I just got my soil test back this week. Its at 5.1 ph. Is that sufficient enough for the buckwheat to grow in and not be to acidic? I ordered liquid lime for the plot but was going to put that down when i plant the plot in the fall. Thanks for the videos. Ive been doing research all winter and your videos have helped tremendously. This is my first attempt at a food plot.

[@bowman8316]

Barn lime is cheap and easy and works for years

[@russellshirk1148]

I'm definitely doing that next year. For my 2 acre plot I need 11250 lbs of lime to amend the soil. I dont mind hard work but I'm not spreading 11000+ lbs of lime 50 lbs at a time lol. I need a drop spreader. That's next years budget.

[@ThomasKeane-o5m]

Any chance these steps and timeline could be written out?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

If you do a search for "Ultimate No Till" there are quite a few videos that were created on the white board 😊

[@brianrychetsky2377]

I may have heard wrong or missed something with my toddler granddaughter screaming. I thought you said that rye will ruin your plot, but in almost all of your other videos you mention seeding over with rye..please explain or point out what I missed.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I've said it hundreds of times on here, but: *Winter rye (fall rye, annual rye, rye grain) = great! *Perennial rye grass = very bad.

[@brianrychetsky2377]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 ahhh thanks for clarifying guess I missed the grass part. Thank you for all the informative videos.

[@claytonzak948]

Too dry for buckwheat here. Not going to risk another $300 in seed. I'll just spray the weeds back and plan for fall

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Rain finally looks good in the forecast in the next 10 days around here. Perfect timing for mid June...I'm planting mine on 5/19.

[@beaulyons5554]

NO TILL QUESTION- Can you spray and mow your buckwheat or mow spray instead of crushing it?

[@johnnye.8537]

I would like to know the answer to this question. Following.

[@leodaman5234]

I’m planting buckwheat next weekend and then brassica blend for my fall plot. Wroth it to spray plot start at time of buckwheat planting or wait for brassica planting? Concerned with getting plot start in the ground when I’m spray killing buckwheat and Cultipacking

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Leo! I just spray if weeds are present right now, when planting buckwheat. If there are any weeds at all I spray. Around 8/1 I spray to keep the buckwheat down and kill any weed. Lots of folks don't realize you can actually mow buckwheat and it will come back. Meaning if you don't want it to live and compete with your Fall plots...whether you roll, crimp or crush...you should spray.

[@leodaman5234]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 question was more about spraying plot start. How can I apply plot start to my fall plot planting when the buckwheat will be standing and killed and rolled at same time as seeding the fall plot. Will that affect the ability to get plot start on my soil? Should I apply now before my buckwheat planting?

[@juliemorvan5727]

Anybody know where you. Can get switchblade grass seed from ?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You can find switch and all kinds of stuff right here 😊 www.whswildlifeblends.com/store/northern-perma-switch-cover

[@aaroncoleman2615]

Can you spray glyphosate as you put buckwheat down?

[@Schooloutdoors]

Yes you can

[@bjm8315]

I’m working on converting an old pasture field into a new food lot. Sprayed twice, got a good kill but I’m wandering if anyone have to disc or can I plant the buckwheat right on the ground. Any advice here ? I don’t have a disc at this time since I just bought this property so I’d have to buy or borrow one for this season

[@jerryperron5243]

Can buckwheat sit on soil for 2 weeks without rain waiting for rain like switch grass seed?

[@seregill13]

I think buckwheat is a great method but I don't do it because it adds buckwheat seeds as a expense and I have a very limited budget.

[@aaronmcgonigle7489]

Jeff can you accomplish this no till method with last years oats?

[@ericjohnsoncf]

How can we get a code for orders? The product I have in the cart is $85. The shipping is $55.. any info is appreciated

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Eric...there is no code, but the only thing I can think of is you must be buying a high weight of seed at a cheap price. For example 50#s of rye is only $25 but the shipping is terrible because of the weight...and we get the best shipping prices out there with multiple carriers. 50#s of rye + 24#s of Fall Power Greens equals a LOT of shipping costs to us and you. Some of those bulk seeds like rye and buckwheat are more of a convenience for customers. We don't make much money on them, the shipping costs are high but some customers can't find either so we offer them. They take up a lot of space in our shop but we offer them as more of a convenience factor. Personally I would buy that heavy bulk seed like buckwheat or rye locally if you can find it! We also offer pallet shipping for huge orders of buckwheat and rye...or really anything. You can email Wes at [e-mail] for any bulk seed order pallet shipping. That's a lot of seed but we have folks split the costs with friends and the shipping is actually lower per pound by a lot.

[@holmeselectric1534]

What percentage of glyfo are you spraying? 41% or less.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Always 41%...

[@USCAVHOOAH]

What do you recommend as a smother crop in AL where buckwheat will not grow?

[@cole5130]

Jeff, I've followed you for years. Watched every video you make like clock work, and I've heard you say that you will never use rye grass. But when I went to purchase your seed, 2 varieties of your seed contains rye grass. Did I hear you wrong or read the ingredients wrong.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Cole, our deer max Traffic blend is the only product that contains rye grass...and it's not a food plot blend, it's a deer and people foot traffic blend designed to hold soil around waterholes and access trails. It also has 3 other grasses as well. Definitely zero food plot products with ryegrass in it though 😉

[@sandych33ks1]

The ground is so hard here that the no till corn planter won't cut in even on the deepest setting..

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Dang that's bad...

[@zacharykowasz3566]

Do you recommend buckwheat on a new plot after two sprays? Or is it better to to use your regular no till method the first year and transition into ultimate no till the second year?

[@darrenturcotte7799]

I’m in that position now I think I’ll just get the extra spray in and go ultimate no till next spring. Starting from a dozer cleared area with tiny Aspen/weeds.

[@ryonmelton6061]

What’s the seed rate for the buckwheat?

[@ginop524]

Don’t know why but year after year racoons go crazy for the buckwheat. They come through my plots in herds and decimate it

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Really that is crazy! I haven't seen them hit the buckwheat but man they love the waterholes!

[@ginop524]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 That’s for sure they love the waterholes!

[@MichOutdoors]

Love the videos for years. Little price gouge on buckwheat john selling Same seed for 67$

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Just an FYI...our actual price for high quality buckwheat seed is $80 😉 Don't make accusations without being knowledgeable first. We actually make the least amount of money on our buckwheat out of all of our products. Just being honest with you. We have a firm commitment to quality, and we both pay for that level of quality, and charge for that level of quality. I invite you to compare any other online source for buckwheat seed and see how we stack up...

[@jarrodlambert3914]

Very nice

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Jarrod!

[@stndpenguin]

"you dont build a deer herd, on whats going on in the summer"... my summer plots over the past 3 years disagree.. isnt tradger farms doing it too?

[@chasejones7285]

Dr.grant Woods comes to mind here

[@anthonymalueg3520]

Now one just needs to figure out where to plant

[@dswish1730]

Finally got some rain.Not sure what was in it🤔

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha ..good point D!

[@dswish1730]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 The smoke was very thick here.Not sure what your area looked like?

[@bowman8316]

🤣🤣👍🏼

[@chemistcurtis]

No Till is a Horse--t program. It is a way to use double everything to form a plot. No need for big equipment, just buy a tractor, drill, packer…etc. Let’s put the facts out there. A no till plot will give you a plot but it will be half the plot you really want.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You really need to pay attention more 😉 Learn more. Do it right. Practice and gain experience. And THEN come back to the discussion more fully informed. 5th year in a row not tilling on our land in MN (18 acres of plots) and 23rd year in a row in WI (2.5 to 6.5 acres of plots). I originally went to all no till 20 years ago in the UP of MI to save time for the same results. Just being smarter...you should try it 👍