No Tractor? No Problem: We Used Hand Tools To Plant This Food Plot (693)

[@theamericanforester]

Ordered 120 pounds! Thank you Dr. Grant!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Great!

[@andrewhood8439]

I've been using Grant methods for years. As of Saturday I had 7 Toms using the 15 acre property and have harvested 2 Toms each year since 2019. The most deer I've captured in one trail cam photo is 8. It is common to see as many as 15-20. All hand tools and using an ATV drag for a few smaller (less than an acre) plot. I'm fortunate to have a grain field north that is a 240 and an unplanted section south of me. The rest is 5 to 10 acre home spots. Thanks Growing Deer team.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks for sharing Andrew! It sounds like you are doing great work and have a very successful project. Please keep me posted!

[@Easterwb]

I have just purchased 40 acres that has 3- 1/4 acres food plots on the lower more fertile ground. I have plans to add a hidey hole plot in a rocky upper road area. My question is: I have a Bulldog Max ATV disc. Could I broadcast seed in the lower fields, into the existing grasses, and use the disc at a lighter setting afterwards to essentially create the same effect as the crimper?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

I doubt the disking will kill the grasses and with their established root systems, they will most likely outcompete the need growth from the seeds.

[@Easterwb]

Yeah, I’ve been watching more of the No till videos. I don’t have a tractor yet, so it looks like I’ll try to cut it down with my mulching zero turn and spray. Then I’ll broadcast seed after that, just before a rain. Should I burn it before, or is that necessary/beneficial?

[@edwardclark2695]

Good show thanks!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks!

[@creekriseoutdoors]

Great stuff Grant. I’m creating 8 one eighth acre food plots on our Ga land in a heavy regen area. This will be perfect for that as I’ll do most all by hand. Thanks as always for your insight…its helping a lot.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Let me know how it goes!

[@AndrewJackson33]

I've learned so much from your videos! I have a quick question, my Dad and I planted a clover plot last fall and used cereal rye as a cover crop. We don't have a crimper to terminate the rye - will mowing be effective in terminating it at this time? Thanks!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Andrew - if you mow it once the seeds are fully formed but not hard more viable. If you mow to early the rye will grow back and to late and there were be viable seeds and rye growing at the wrong time of year.

[@bradcarroll9975]

Grant I ordered browse release yesterday! Trying to improve the soil on our place in central west AL one hidey hole at a time. Love Growing Deer!

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Thanks Brad and please share updates!

[@Giroux68]

Great episode...always make me question why this isnt done nation wide on our depleted farm lands

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Me too! Thankfully more and more farmers are using soil health improvement techniuqes.

[@garyuselman8597]

I agree hunters are leading way ahead of modern agriculture

[@keepsummersafe2147]

Is there a way to use the release system without a crimper and drill? Would that be, wait till planting time when rain is about to come, spread 2x drill rate of seed by hand, wait till after rain is done and spray herbicide? Rinse and repeat for each planting? What draw backs are there to this as opposed to a crimper and drill? If you start without these tools, which would you purchase first? Drill or crimper?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Brian - You are correct! Pending on the size of the area to be planted, a crimper can be made with a 2' x 6" and some angle iron attached to the bottom. I have one of these food crimpers and it's a workout but effective. There's a trade off of waiting for the current crop to mature enough that light reaches the soil for the new crop to grow and waiting too late and allowing weeds to grow. A herbicide can be used to insure the timing works out and any existing weeds are controlled. Yes, broadcasting plenty of seed is important! Seed placement is key so purchasing or renting a no-till would be my first priority. Some neighbors, etc., partners and split the cost of a drill. Enjoy the process!

[@adgate1379]

I hunt in north east Texas near Marshall Texas. I can’t seem to find your product within a 2 hour drive.

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Mavrick - Checkout: GreenCoverFoodPlots.com They ship directly or two dropping points. They don't sell through retail outlets.

[@JayN4GO]

Is buckwheat a good summer crop in Ky after the frosts are finished? Right before a rain ?

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Jay - Buckwheat certainly needs warmer temps to germinate. It's a fine crop but I strongly prefer blends versus any single species. Blends allow us to prepare for droughts, lots of browse pressure, etc. Blends are the magic bean as they can cover way more bases than any single species.

[@KountryCalvin]

I thought the clovers regenerated and could last several years??

[@GrowingDeerTV]

Calvin - there are perennial varieties of clover. I rarely use them as they cost much more and require lots of maintenance. Strong annual clovers in blends work best for me.