Proven Low Budget Easy Food Plot Planting Method

[@corybraswell510]

First planting food it's on the 45 acre family farm! I have about 7-8 acres I plan on planting... Chicory, clover and I'm gonna try that nutri crave corn as well hopefully it will hold some bucks on my property! It's pasture land that is already open 4 different fields on the outer edge with hardwoods in the middle... We're fortunate to have plenty of equipment and a drill we should have some good results... Do some oats and turnips for late season maybe something else idk... I just know I'm finally gonna plant!

[@lancelockwood5883]

Can you plant your switch grass into the buckwheat. If you chose to do the buckwheat type of planting method?

[@Grizzlife]

Hate to be a comment abuser lol... but these plot practices are spot on. I've been creating food plots since the early 90s and we didnt have a choice but to clear, spray, rake then sow seed. Your experience has helped me fix the issues I was having with plots. Thanks again..😁😁

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man that is great to hear Grizz... really appreciate the feedback! It really can be done with a very high degree of success and a very low risk of failure. Hope you have beautiful food plot fields of green you comment abuser, lol 😁 Always appreciate your comments Grizz!

[@brianstaaf1176]

You mentioned you are not initially fertilizing, but you add urea later on in your process... my question is, are you adding any additional fertilizer with the exception of urea mentioned in your process?

[@ksmith4884]

Thanks for what you do. I am trying to educate myself and my family on what it takes to get our property to where it need to be so we can enjoy the fruits of our labor during hunting season. Your channel is my #1 source! What are you fertilizing with when you come in during early September and plant the Oats/Rye. I understand the urea part on the brassica you mentioned but wonder what else you are putting down. If you have access to a disk, drag, and cultipacker would you say that it would be beneficial to use those, and when would you want to incorporate that into this sequence of sprayings and plantings? Thanks again and I hope to see you in Western NY to put a plan together with improvements for our property in the near future!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Kevin, I really like to follow a soil test, with the exception of the added Urea. The best time to incorporate the fertilizer is when you initially plant in early August. I like to apply the fertilizer and then disc it in, but often I am left to broadcast the fertilizer onto the soil prior to a rain...and I plant that way too at times. Works great! But really at planting time...and then the urea about a month later. I often go full boat with the fertilzer on the brassica portion...and then do not fertilize the peas/oats/rye...if in a pinch.

[@ksmith4884]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Do you have a specific fertilizer brand you like to use or any specific NPK you aim for on the half without the brassica?

[@sunnycreek13]

From western Wisconsin (Trempealeau Cty). Used your no till method last season and it worked great! Planted buckwheat, then seeded the 50/50 plot and terminated the buckwheat right after seeding. Then added the rye over the grains later in the fall. What do you do on the plot year 2? I know you want to flip / flop the grains and the brassicas but what do you do with the plot in the spring and summer to prepare for another fall season planting?

[@charlesgabriel4603]

Jeff I have been watching all you video's the info you provide is extraordinary thank you so much. I’m working on a old hay field that I have completed two of my 3 sprayings I have a hand spreader and am following the no equipment plans you have provided. I have 4 acres I hope to plant 2 acres of soybean(got it cheap) and the other 2 half winter rye and oats, what per acre should I use for the oats and rye mix?

[@charlesgabriel4603]

is it 100 pounds of each per

[@djadams871]

I have property in Livingston Manor NY and in MD. How should I adjust my spraying and plantings? Thanks!! I think this video is based off growing zone 3!?

[@ashtonzills9421]

So it's basically just killing the weeds off and planting.Basically no till practices.Great for the soil!!Planning on planting sorghum that way this year

[@ronmacdougall9612]

Can you please write down that mixture for me on the weeds

[@williamstevens9609]

1 pt 2-4-D, 2 qts glyphosate, approx 10-12 gal of water/acre based on what I am getting from the video

[@ronmacdougall9612]

@@williamstevens9609 ty very much

[@MikeHammonds804]

This is great advice, I just purchase 20 acres all wooded and I plan to use this method for a 2-acre Food Plot. Thanks, Jeff.

[@brianlenneman5032]

Great video! This system does work, but the rain is a key component, you have to plan accordingly. I’ve done it two years now, can’t wait to get out there again. It’s my favorite time of year food plot season. I’m getting tired of all the snow and cold weather up here in MN. Nice to see a spring video..😉

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

For sure Brian! I look at an 8/1 planting date in a lot of areas, and then plant earlier or later depending on the forecast. The beauty is that moisture patterns are on the rise that time of the year... but you can't miss rain opportunities in late July. Going to be putting on the snowshoe miles on Thursday, lol good workout!

[@marklarueii2068]

I have 2 questions. Do you rake the dead debris off the field or just leave it lay? And do you need to til or drag the lime into the soil?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Mark, you do not need to take the debris off because if you begin with the weeds only 8-12" high you have little to no weed debris in any way. You should drag the pelletized lime in a bit to break it down, but less of a need to drag powdered lime in. It is lime particle to soil particle reaction, so sandy soil reacted much faster and the pH is changed much faster, than if clay. Hope that makes sense!

[@marklarueii2068]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I sprayed the first weekend in may when the grass and weeds were 6"-10" high. Its an idle ag field for about 20 years or so. I sprayed again yesterday and it seemed to be a thick bed of really crunchy dead vegetation.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@marklarueii2068 that should be perfect Mark! Sounds really food...

[@dennisullman4188]

So when do you use your Genesis no-till drill?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Haven't used that since 2017. Great product, but these steps can produce the same results. There are advantages to the drill I like too, but it is important for the average foodplotter can get it done with very little expense...

[@dennisullman4188]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 As I recall, the only video I've seen you use it is for planting switchgrass. Is that what you bought it for? I'm confused. I don't want to sound critical, but you got an $10,000 piece of equipment sitting idle while you walk around broadcasting seed with a EarthWay shoulder spredder?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@dennisullman4188 check out my 2017 food plot plantings 😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHq7hnRqntWljc0 AND...I only had the Genesis in 2017. So everything planted that year was with the Genesis... Not to sound critical Dennis...but not sure why it matters? 🙂

[@dennisullman4188]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Just curious. Makes sense now, you can't use what you don't have.

[@richstafford1245]

Great information and content. I utilized your techniques this past year on my 100 acres and results were amazing. I didn’t harvest a buck but had many encounters with target bucks. Can’t wait to do more this year.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Rich that is outstanding to hear! I really appreciate the feedback and I hope that you have a great season this year too. This food plot method works great for someone with very little equipment. I don't like that it relies heavily on spraying...but often for many hunters that means having an effective food plot, or not.

[@nickrx1175]

This is great video and channel . I have learned so much for my 28.5 acres I bought just about 2 years ago ! Totally using your info at my place in the Catskills of NY .

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That is great to hear Nick and I greatly appreciate the feedback! Very cool...I am in the process of buying a 24.5 acre parcel. These small parcels can be incredible!

[@dirtyplum6764]

With your earthway spreader what setting are you using for your northwoods sweet feast brassica to get a Seeding rate is 6 pounds per acre?

[@ministerkelly1]

I just planted yesterday, and I used your no till method. We will see how it turns out. I reseeded one plot and planted a new one.

[@stark_outdoors]

I know you stay busy, so when would be the best time to set up a visit

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Clayton! It depends on the area? Through Sept I am either in WI or MI...WI closer to home is easier, but I am almost completely solid through June. I go to at least 1 fly in per month...my next fly in availability is July. My fly-in trips I go just about anywhere...Wyoming, KY, NY, PA, MS, VT, AK just in the last several months. I work on client lands December thru September. December thru May is currently overbooked...maybe 65 parcels total? My wife schedules all thru [e-mail]

[@stark_outdoors]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions I'm in northwest ohio in William's county. I have a very small parcel about 10 acres wooded and 5 of ag field, but have pretty big sections of woods with swamp areas leading into my property on 3 sides. All which I can hunt but would be interested in trying to get the bucks on my land more. I dont know if a parcel that small is even worth it or not, but I've had really nice bucks in and around the property my whole life, just looking to maybe take the extra step to make it more of an inside out property if possible. Currently have 12-15 doe living in it daily which I plan to thin out some next year lol

[@stark_outdoors]

Oh and the one side of the property is an old pasture field that hasnt been used in about 30 years and has turned into pretty decent bedding with woody browse, shrubs, and some grasses. I dont know if this information helps at all. I'm just not sure if there is much I can do with a parcel that small. The woods surrounding it does have a lot of hunting pressure as well.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@stark_outdoors that sounds like a great setup...especially in an area without a lot of woods. I am not going to be in that area this year though...maybe next year in early February.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@stark_outdoors man I love that diversity!! Sounds really nice. Overgrown pastures and old fields are often the best for holding deer during the daylight...

[@beavercreekoutdoors2869]

Any suggestions on how to kill phrag

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Mow, spray and repeat ..start early in the Spring! BUT, often it is a great deer cover or screening source, with some varieties actually native to areas. Depends on the situation!

[@beavercreekoutdoors2869]

80% of this property is phrag we wana put 1 more plot but it will b where some phrag is its some tuff stuff

[@bstreeter69]

Do you have a video about what types of Brassicas you like to use?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I sure do...and article! Check this out: www.whitetailhabitatsolutions.com/blog/brassica-strategies-for-whitetails Let me know what you think!

[@notinacorner592]

Great advice! Definitely spraying this year. My 6yr old plot has never been sprayed and failed miserably this year to the weeds. Horse nettle and native grass

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Jimi! Man the stuff is so tough...weeds are the death of so many y plots to the point I see a lot that are just better off not being planted of landowners aren't going to take care if the weeds. Amazing what an acre of clean food plot can accomplish!

[@djadams871]

Im in Maryland. Does it make sense to start spraying a few weeks earlier and plant a 2 weeks later? Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Daniel ..you really want to spray when the Spring weeds are 8-10" high or sooner. That timing can vary by up to a month every spring...I wouldn't go by a date. As far as planting in the late Summer...I would plant roughly about 10 weeks prior to your first expected frost date...or by labor day at the latest, if your first frost date is early Nov or later.

[@djadams871]

Thanks! Your stuff is amazing. Keep up the hard work. I bought 40 acres in Dec and am putting all your advice to work for next hunting season. @@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751

[@WilliamAM43]

Would you recommend mowing a area that has a lot of thick native flowers and grass in the spring before spraying that first application or does it not really matter? I did a small one a couple years ago but only did 2 applications late June and July and had to do a lot of hand raking to clear all thatch. Thanks again, Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Definitely spray before any vegetation is around 10" high. That first spraying is by far the most important because you are eliminating future weed debris. You can even hit it with simazine before spring green up for added assurance., But I have had great luck with waiting until the first growth of weeds. This article I wrote a few years ago further discusses the procedure...hope it helps! www.whitetailhabitatsolutions.com/blog/easy-no-till-food-plot-methods

[@WilliamAM43]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks Jeff, the wild flowers minus the flowers of course and grasses are tall and thick from last year where I am thinking of starting a plot was the reason I was asking. I will follow what you say in the video. Last one I did was close to what you said but my timing was off from what you are saying to do and had some hard labor to remove the debris so I will get after it right away this time. Thank you for sharing the article as well, I will get to reading it. Loving all the videos you have been putting out!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@WilliamAM43 you are very welcome and I hope it all helps greatly! The timing of that first spraying is so critical. Not only does it kill the highest % of weeds, but it eliminates future weed debris. As long as the weeds are growing aggressively and the conditions are warm in the Spring...it is time to kill them. Even if they are fairly short. Using Simazine isn't a bad idea either, before spring green up. I am going to use a lot of that this Spring because I will already be out on the land to spray my switchgrass.

[@darrind8697]

What would you say would be a minimum size for a plot ?? I have a rectangular 50 acres of hardwood and want to cut a small plot but am unsure as to how large i can do by hand and if its worth it ? (its getting logged-select harvest-winter 2019 so will have open land then)

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Boy Darrin there are SO many factors. When it is your only plot and with even just moderate deer numbers, I always feel that you should have at least 3/4s of an acre to an acre, and only plant it in the late Summer so that it lasts longer into the Fall. But really so many factors...

[@darrind8697]

Thanks . Love your channel by the way .

[@randlerichardson5826]

I’m having to wait till I get home to watch can’t hear it to good right now at the hospital in Knoxville TN. I’ll explain later brother GOD BLESS.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ok, hope that all is well Randle! Take care, hope that you guys are beginning to dry out...

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions my father in-law has cancer everywhere in his chest and abdomen. Lungs spine and liver. We had to brang him to Knoxville to have a biopsy. He’s not goin to be here much longer. I’m sorry for putting my bad news on here brother. Thank you for hoping all is well. It’s goin to be bad. I’ll holler later brother waiting on the dr to get done and come out and talk to my wife her sister and mother. GOD BLESS.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@randlerichardson5826 dang Randle, prayers sent his way, and to the family.

[@randlerichardson5826]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions thank you brother that means a lot. Thank you GOD BLESS. It means more than I can say.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@randlerichardson5826 take care my friend!

[@grantgemlo7348]

What about liming? If a brand new plot with low soil ph levels when and how are you top spreading pelletized lime? All our existing plots had 5.3-5.6 ph levels before amending them.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Great question Grant! Of course always follow a soil test recommendation. I would never, ever pay for palletized lime unless forced to. Pellatized lime is just powdered lime with a binding agent to create pellets that are opened with moisture. Think of powdered lime like Kool aide. Pelletized lime like little nuggets of Kool aide that need to be placed in water and stirewd actually a little more than the powdered Kool aide, to mix. Iwould find powdered lime at 1/3rd the price and spread by hand -or- thru a PTO mount d spreader if the line is dry. Check out this article I wrote in the mid 2000s. I spread over 65 tons of lime...all 50# bags. www.whitetailhabitatsolutions.com/blog/whitetail-food-plot-success-on-poor-soils WAY easier to do than you may think. Paint the ground with powdered lime, 5' wide by 100' equals 2 tons per acre. Once the bags are on the plot, it will take you 20 minutes or less on an acre. Check out the article though...something I did a LOT of from 99-06. Literally, 65 tons of 50# bags...

[@chrisgoodwin5857]

did you wear mask while hand spreading? I found that the lime doesn't taste good in my bud light... lol maybe it'd be better with a Corona

[@grantgemlo7348]

Thank you for that info. Believe me we have spread many many 50 pound bags of lime with a bag spreader over the shoulder. half the time we had the 4 wheeler and disk to mix that lime into the soil.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@grantgemlo7348 you are very welcome! Even a lite drag works for insuring soil particle to lime particle to react. I have spread no lime with a hand spreader...ATV spreader, etc. Try opening up the bag 1/2 way across the bottom and paint the ground with lime 5' wide by 100'. Extremely fast...

[@arpatton86]

What’s your favorite seed blend? Any where in particular you get it from?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Any of the videos that you see on the channel have been thru www.nkrthwoodswhitetails.com...great seed blends from John Komp!

[@majordadto10]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 he actually meant to type northwoodswhitetails.com

[@nickmillican4341]

can you do a video on properties and adding late bearing fruit trees (apple) where to plant and how many, etc...??

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Nick! Not necessarily how many...but I hope you like the strategy with this apple tree video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5Ddq4yNnseonbM Always keep soft mass with food plots...hard mast with woody browse. I hope that makes sense? Meaning...you don't want to place apple trees, crab apple,plums, pears, persimmons back in the cover, or in bedding areas.

[@rickbaker5559]

I have two tracter gaps on both ends of 8 acers can i plant fesqe it does good in shade what you think out ta here

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Rick I would go with either Winter Rye planted in the Fall, or clover...both shade tolerant, just because the fescue doesn't provide any value to whitetails...

[@johndhead1]

Hello again, In your 2nd (mid June) spraying, would you recommend layering buckwheat in the weed growth before you spray to choke out new weeds and prepare for your mid August, brassica and Oat, Rye planting?

[@johnstobbscpa8081]

Great video, thanks! At about minute 11 you say you are going to fertilize using the 'broad base recommendation'. What is that?

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

Are there any situations when you plant clover?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Yes, but only when looking to actually build a deer herd by adding summer food. There are several better options for Fall and if deer numbers are at max or higher...I recommend to eliminate most if not all, summer food. Maybe 20% of all the parcels I visit?

[@johnjensen7209]

I’d love to be working new land to make plots but Oregon hasn’t been consistent with weather.. we got 3in snow right now. Great video Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you very much John! Same here...pretty crazy...can't wait just for a slight melt 😎

[@akinsoutdoors6733]

What seed brand do you use?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Most of the plantings you have seen have been from www.northwoodswhitetails.com

[@tonyofton3785]

I want to know what the best seed I can plot on a 1200 square feet food plot my ph was a 6.9 last year

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I hope that helps you Tony! Something like layered rye planted in late summer is the only appropriate planting by far. Do not use any summer food at all, for many reasons. Check out this article...will give you the most volume of food with the best ability to withstand browsing pressure: www.whitetailhabitatsolutions.com/blog/layered-food-plots-for-whitetails

[@tomweihrauch7627]

Great video Jeff, do you add lime to your food plots, if so when and how much. Thanks

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I sure do Tom...when needed. In the UP of MI that meant 65 tons of 50# bags of lime over about 5 years 😆 Tons of fun, lol Always fallow a soil test for sure...

[@remster199]

Awesome video! I’m definitely going to try this! Thanks for the info, Always look forward to your videos! :)

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That is great to hear! I've been writing, speaking and using this methods for 20 years...highly proven and it just plain works! You are very welcome and I look forward to hearing about how you do with it this year

[@foodplotinnovations7086]

Great channel Jeff. I am in upstate NY. I have about an acre that I want to use for fall planting but would like to plant something in it for the spring/summer. Before I dics it in the fall. What would you recommend?

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey brother

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Morning Randle!

[@joepro8858]

I cant believe your not protecting yourself while spraying!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I drive into the wind. I seriously should though and I encourage anyone watching to make sure that you do. I actually worry more about getting it on my hands, wiping my eyes, etc. I am extremely careful about that...

[@joepro8858]

If you can smell it your exposed!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@joepro8858 dang I smell it just opening the cap

[@joepro8858]

Yep, thats the point. This non Hodgkins Lymphoma is nothing to mess with. Love your videos by the way!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@joepro8858 thanks Joe!

[@marklarueii2068]

Does this work on sandy soils as well?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Yes very much so! I used this method on my sandy souls in the UP of MI, consistently from 99 to 09. I hope it helps you out!

[@shawnmyers700]

Have u ever considered buying a tractor ???

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, I've put over 500 hours on my own personal tractor 😉 lots of experience with tractors but tractors cost a lot (mine was over 30k with implements), are inefficient depending on what you need to plant with it, and using tillers and discs just bring up more weeds. They also take a LOT longer to plant depending on what you are planting. I may use s small tractor and small drill soon...but man, I can't tell you how many landowners I have talked out of tractors because most didn't need them. But again though...LOTS of experience with tractors, to the tune of over 500 hours on my own. I'm always weighing what is best...time, money, etc.

[@bobcollins4171]

Some damn good gardening but hopefully you do not believe shooting bucks on food plots is hunting ?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Sure it is...unless you are an anti-hunter. If legal, we don't pick sides of what is hunting or not, and I do not allow any discussion of such on this channel. We support all hunters here. If you don't...your anti hunting opinions are not welcome here, Bob.

[@travisethridge4062]

I never hunt under Oaks because deer will eat the acorns and I believe that, with a bow, you need be as far away from deer and all food sources as possible.😀

[@bobcollins4171]

@@travisethridge4062 I like to get mine over a huge pile of apples.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@travisethridge4062 I rarely hunt under oaks because there are typically much better stand locations for whitetails ☺️ Or I am there for other reasons first...

[@robertcurtis3670]

I wish you could show what you are doing rather than just talking about it.

[@BretWickstrom]

I really wish people would get away from using Roundup so much. Hunters have long been the country's best conservationists. This is sure to change as we continue to depend so much on dangerous chemicals to feed deer.

[@travisethridge4062]

I agree on the dangerous chemical comment but my family and I use lots of chemicals on human/ feed agriculture and all is registered and certified safe for the environment.

[@BretWickstrom]

@@travisethridge4062 respectfully Travis so was DDT and a myriad of other chemicals. Monsanto just lost a huge lawsuit for hundreds of millions in which they were found liable for causing cancer from RoundUp. I know people are going to continue to use them, until the government finally admits they are dangerous. I would just love to see other ways to practice good deer management that doesn't depend almost entirely on chemicals. Love your videos. They are well done and have a lot of great information. Thanks for the response.