Food Plot Drought Save Tips

Drought can not only kill your food plot, but your whitetail dreams as well! However, you definately save your plot and there is plenty of time to do so! Don't let drought destroy your potential whitetail success. Instead, there are plenty of options for how to save your food plot in this video, if your plots have been ravaged by drought! I hope that you don't need them, it make sure to use these food plot drought tips if you need to this Fall...
To make sure that your food plots have the best chance for success this Fall, check out my latest web class at:
www.whitetailh...

[@justinbrown819]

Good morning Jeff. God bless you and your family. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Justin...really appreciate it, you are very welcome!

[@tonyseefeldt23]

Thanks again Jeff another great video and timely since my food plots are suffering in areas due to the drought. Enjoying the rain today after planting my tillage radish yesterday thanks for walking us thru these plot savings measures i feel like your walking the land with me. Thanks again!

[@philipkellerman9826]

Opened up a small plot on my 24 acre parcel here in SWPA . It also is in need of rain. If it doesn't work out this year. Im that much farther ahead for next year. Stress won't make the rain fall or the plants grow.

[@donaldbowling8620]

Perfect timing Jeff. I had a total failure on a plot here in S/W Michigan. No measurable rain in almost 3 weeks after I planted. 😥. I put down tillage radish today and some other brassicas. I will follow up with the winter rye in about another week. Then again in two weeks. Ty for all the help man. I tell everyone I know to check your videos out. Come on rain!!!!!

[@shaymayfield6277]

Same here in Alabama

[@rhopkinsrj]

This is my first year practicing food plots! I can’t wait to see what happens this season!

[@robertfulton2224]

Great topic that is effecting so many right now. Will be doing the rye Labor Day for sure here in the Thumb. Thanks again Jeff.

[@Paulannear]

I planted brassicas July 26th SW WI, and we’ve hardly had any rain. Fortunately, it has excellent growth because of morning dew! It has sustained my plot. Better growth than any year before.

[@davidmartin8823]

Big time draught up in clare country, MI this year Jeff. Your videos always leave me thinking "Trust the process, you got this!" I'm really glad I have 300 pounds of rye sitting in the pole barn lol!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

David ..awesome on the rye stash!! That's perfect and will be much needed for you this year...

[@dennisb1224]

Didn’t you get a bunch of rain in the last week?

[@davidmartin8823]

@@dennisb1224 yes! Finally it rained just 2 days ago at my property for really the first time since june

[@mikebutler5317]

Bingo. My plots are in Southern MIch but did get a good brassica, radish, winter greens crops start as I planted just ahead of rain. Its going well but I also have 300 pounds of Rye in the barn. Planned on using it for over seeding and travel routes as a lead to food plots. Good Luck Dave

[@daves9379]

I've been pretty lucky with my Brassica food plot. Had rain it's doing great. Thanks Jeff for all the great videos I've learned a lot you're very knowledgeable

[@dswish1730]

Planted my brassica blend August 3rd.Came in great.4 days ago saw rain in the forcast.Put the urea to it.45 minutes later it poured. In 2 days it grew almost 3 inches. Never knew the nitrogen would evaporate. Thanks for you advice Jeff.It works wonders.

[@WHITETAILKINGS]

Encouraging video Jeff. I appreciate the perspective. My plots after all the work did not get the rain and got stressed. We did get some rain this past week and more in the forecast. Starting to see good germination and will add winter rye in Sept. As always, appreciate the info!

[@underdogoutdoors]

My Maryland & New Jersey plots have had decent rain. My property in the Southern Tier of New York is the opposite, everything I planted dried up, the streams are low & some dried up. Thanks for the video. -Andy

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Dang Andy...at least 2/3 isn't terrible! Hope you can hit the NY plots soon with some save strategies. Hope the info helps you out!

[@tomlalond1825]

This video is perfect timing for our property needs! Thank you sir!

[@johnnyballgame7339]

I've planted brassica blends around September 1 in Southern Michigan and they have done okay, and although it's more expensive, I've had much better luck with the Whitetail Institute seeds in drought years. Don't buy from them often but if precipitation is limited and timing window is getting tight, I've found the extra money worth it.

[@myronlaidler8034]

1" of rain here yesterday Jeff,none 10 days prior. hopefully a game changer.Good info once again Jeff!!

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Still haven’t planted my buckwheat yet. No rain period. Hopefully this next week but doesn’t look good.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You and me both Steve! I had to make a call before I left for my MI trip a week ago...didn't plant. Won't be home until this weekend. Hoping we get some soon!

[@outdoorsinc.8261]

Was actually getting worried about this God bless guys. Thank you again .

[@stevegermain1222]

Here in South Carolina it seemed like we got too much rain I think a lot of my seed get washed off but I just continue throwing more down Clover locked in pretty good soy beans are up and getting nibbled and yesterday I threw down some wintergreen's and Tall tine tubers I've got my apple trees doing well and I got a pear tree dropping fruit everywhere . Got a nice six and eight point then video there best of luck Jeff you got some awesome information I hope it doesn't come to having a throw down Rye for me

[@thewibb]

Seems to happen here in Missouri every year. Plant too early and the drought will get you. I'm sitting on several plots right now as we've been rainless for several weeks. Always a game with mother nature.

[@fishkiller96]

Same here south east Mo

[@patrickkessler6474]

Same here middle mo We planted 2 weeks ago and no rain- I guess we need to re apply?

[@Buck_Norris]

Appreciate the shout-out to Arkansas! My plots were pretty dry but I think this hurricane will remedy that in the next day.

[@4thgenfarmer371]

Try drilling those turnips and radishes with a drill instead of spreading on top. Comes up better

[@bradwalker3442]

I planted my plot the first week in August and have not had a DROP of rain since. I'm really getting worried. I live in south western Pennsylvania and it is very odd we have not had any rain. I'm almost to the point where I'm gonna reach for my inner native American and start doing rain dances

[@grantgemlo7348]

I have been fortunate my plots of sweet feast brassica blend in northern Minnesota have gotten a lot of rain since it was planted.

[@tmglvr]

I remember...I remember that very well. Actually...that was the first hunt we ever shared together. I can’t remember the name of the stand but I remember the walk in....lol!!!!!

[@garyjones5093]

Awesome video Jeff. Very valuable information. Thanks

[@aaronklingensmith8316]

Love the videos!! Keep up the great work. We currently have 50-60 acres of 7 cars stud in the ground as of last. Late plant due to lack or rain in western pa. Problem we have id like to see you address is plotting on old strip mine. A lot of the property we plan on is such and I think we can get better results than we currently have.

[@michaeleverett5431]

Was planning to plant rye this weekend in western NY. After watching today's vidio I'm trying to decide if it's too early.

[@dennisb1224]

I did the buckwheat smash on 1/2 acre and planted my oats rye turnip and radish on aug 22 on 2 more acres. Almost 1 inch of rain in the days after. Northern Michigan.

[@swvafarmer]

How is your plot doing now? Just curious

[@allentodd5436]

Great info! We planted our Big n beasty Aug 16th. Theyre looking pretty good so far hopefully we continue to get good rain but we know what to do if not👍

[@boneheadsoutdoors6555]

hopefully getting some good rain here in SW PA this weekend... fingers crossed

[@brianstiff5680]

Good tips and really like the Avg dates to fill in the blanks. Have you ever thought about a field guide with your seeds and rates for the different ranges?

[@ampifer]

Great advice as usual. Do you have any advice for Mid-West Georgia/ Alabama Food plots ? The time tablet Should be pushed 2-4 weeks towards the end of the year? Meaning September -October to start planting Brassicas?

[@frankswafford7641]

Thank you for mentioning the southern state. I am always wondering if your dates are the same for us or later so thank you for including us

[@robertwillis4707]

I know your always talking about cereal rye, but here where I am in southeast Oklahoma, I can’t find it. I can get winter wheat easily. Are they comparable? What difference is there between the winter rye and winter wheat? Man I love your take on food plotting and just the vast knowledge that you share! Please keep up these videos.

[@chrismacomber9727]

Ok I'm in NC every time I here people talk about planting in the south they are saying plant later ? Are you saying go out and plant durring the season?

[@Gabucks1]

I never plant till last weekend in Sept or 1st of october, but i’m in SW Georgia

[@mike81399]

👍 very relevant, deer season is coming!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks a lot Mike...we can't wait ☺️

[@jacobmeekhof8614]

I luckily just got had a thuderstorm on my new food plot.

[@rfb7117]

We are still waiting for rain, after about 3 weeks. Hopefully get some this weekend, we planted everything last week. Question...how will you knockdown your standing corn in your food plot next spring? thanks, Bob

[@z06supervette13]

If you want a drought resistant food plot then go with Eagleseed! I've been using their products for years and have not just survived but actually thrived when other plots around were failing due to drought. Check them out you will not be disappointed.

[@shaymayfield6277]

I planted red clover on 1 1/2 acres 3 Saturdays got scattered clover coming up but no rain for next 7 days you think it's gonna live ?

[@robcreagh5819]

Is the timing the same for winter wheat as winter rye? Great stuff thanks.

[@stevedenoyer5956]

Tillage radish with the rye planting or rye added if the radish fails?

[@jimraddatz7677]

Great stuff, as always Jeff. Can you or anyone on this comment list tell me the spring approach to treating winter rye? Spray in May?

[@ryanjohnson1480]

Im in Northern Oklahoma, I planted my food plots on Aug 22, we have had no precipitation in 9 days, I planted winter peas, oats, and turnips. Do you think my seed will be OK going 2 weeks without germinating?

[@shaymayfield6277]

You think 3 weeks without rain the morning dew will keep it sprouting slowly an survive?

[@DaleSchweers]

South Texas can't plant till mid September.

[@jamesd9439]

Apparently nothing grows in Wyoming without irrigation. I guess these tips only appy to eastern or Midwestern states. My October planted switchgrass didn't germinate or grow, so no sense in trying winter rye food plots.

[@tonygodoy5968]

Did you check the PH? Can make a HUGE difference.

[@jamesd9439]

@@tonygodoy5968no, but I had a soil test for winter rye. I didn't think I needed to get a test for switchgrass. I'm new at this, but I did everything Jeff recommended to the T.

[@m.harr.n.e.tennesseevet]

Good morning Jeff Great show Very North East TN In the past few years We've been having exceptional warm weather up to December. Should I wait until mid to late September to add winter rye to plots I've already planted a deer mix that works well in our area so I'm told Not only do I want to draw my trophy buck. But I also want to keep them healthy through the winter. * If we have one *

[@ryanduffey2871]

Jeff, Can you use this on the brassica half as well or just the oats/peas and use radish for the brassica? Will it hurt if you used winter rye to fill both halves?

[@courtchristianson5039]

Hey Jeff, just double checking with your practice of overseeding the winter rye into a droughted plot or any plot for that matter. You are just broadcasting that, correct? Then letting rain hopefully pound it into the dirt?

[@kurtcaramanidis5705]

Great video. Would you add rye to a new clover alfalfa planting?

[@danendres2271]

So it appears that our drought in Southern WI may affect the seeding and rate for winter rye? I have not planted anything yet, and was going to go with 50 lbs per acre late August, then 100 lbs per acre in Mid-September, and up to 150 lbs per acre at the beginning of October if soil exposure warrants it, based on your recommendation from a video this spring. Should I do that or should I go with 200 lbs per acre now and then overseed again in early October like you suggest in this video? Should I plan to do radish and winter rye instead of winter rye exclusively due to our drought? My plots are both small, 1/4 acre or less in the woods.

[@Lion-G227]

You use the same sprayer to put your plot booster down that you used to put down glyphosate? Just run water through it first?

[@bobcostas1331]

Please help! CA is getting ready for legit drought... hopping to plant my Northwood Whitetail HD Conceal June 1... but we haven’t had a drop of rain since April 20th and non on the calendars until late July. Should I just wait? Should I also not till?

[@joasmullett2213]

Great video, I planted my buckwheat in early June and had it packed down and sprayed by the end of July, so 8 weeks total. I’m noticing a lot of what looks to be buckwheat coming back in. The buckwheat must have had viable seed before it was killed. What would you do? Thanks

[@sheddinny7418]

Excellent info with the lack of rain. I live in western ny and I have a clover plot that is doing well that I put in last year and then frost seeded again this spring. I put about 100lbs per acre of winter rye last weekend and plan to do another 100lbs per acre in about 2 weeks but there wasnt a lot of soil exposure. The seed seemed to make it to the soil no problem, will it take off and fill in for the fall/winter where the clover seems to slow down production.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you! Most of the time just light rye growth in clover at best. The clover shades out the rye...even if the rye gets on the soil.

[@sheddinny7418]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 for future reference what would you recommend so I can optimize for more winter green and that earlier spring green up. Should I kill

[@sheddinny7418]

The clover when I want to replace with winter rye?

[@DoubleZ-]

Texas panhandle... we don’t get rain... ever😂 20 inches average per year.

[@mikebutler5317]

Unfortunately, in the Midwest deer will be seeing an abundance of rye this year.

[@TheGuyFromWI]

Thanks for the information Jeff. Do you suggest putting rye overtop of Brassica? If so would you only do spare areas? It seems you ideally prefer to use it on your non brassica side of the plot.

[@TheMws1]

I am having a problem with hogs eating the seed I have broadcast .Too many to kill with a rifle .Had over 20 yesterday morning right at the house .

[@craigcowan9066]

Build a fence cora with flip up one way gatel to catch more than one at a time

[@TheMws1]

@@craigcowan9066 I need to get a trap.I spread my first 50 lb of rye Friday evening and hogs were eating it by just after 11 that night and again at 2:30 .I shot at them with my .22 LR .I cannot shot anything bigger after shoulder surgery I fell and landed on it and am schedule for another to repair what I tore loose .I live on my hunting property and will try with a handgun this season unless I learn to shoot left handed with a deer rifle using a tripod as I know my right arm cannot handle recoil until maybe Jan with gives me less than 2 weeks .

[@nickswank]

I’m in Ohio, our equipment broke & we won’t be able to plant until mid September. Should we even bother doing clover or go for a winter rye/oats approach? Thanks

[@exotictones1054]

Where do you buy products.?

[@dallasmiller6749]

Hey Jeff. I would love to know how you make it so your trail camera doesn’t pick up the hanging stick that you use. Any info would be appreciated thanks

[@ryanmeland2935]

hey jeff if i plot boost then do i still have to add urea or should it still work

[@jeremykane686]

When should I plant winter rye in pa?

[@davefoulkrod]

Is 6 weeks average before first frost to plant rye and wheat, here in my part of NY the average frost date is October 11th through the 19th. That put my planting this week ?

[@ep3389]

Hi Jeff I just tilled up my plot and its nearing september what do you recommend I plant this late in the year for central wisconsin

[@michaeltepe3573]

I planted Aug 2nd in southern Michigan. I planted rye with my oats peas and beans and the other half in brassicass. im going to go over the top of my oats etc with more rye mid September, did i mess up by planting rye too early? its already 10 inches tall

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Michael...you should really wait until Labor Day for rye in your area. And only lite oats at that time - 30-40#s per acre max.

[@michaeltepe3573]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Ok, ill make sure to do that next year.

[@rericksonpri]

Hey Jeff wondering if you could help me with the question. My food plots we're doing really well prior to the Rain the last couple of days in Columbia County. Yesterday morning I overseeded Rye into my peas beans and Oates. I also threw some tillage radish on some bare spots in my Brassica plot. I then spread my nitrogen in my brassicas and Triple 18 in the other plot. With over 3 in of rain do you think the fertilizer and nitrogen will take? Or is that something I should do over. Hopefully my seed didn't get washed out as well. Just wondering how you would handle that situation thanks for any advice.

[@PutEmInTheBox]

Could you crush buckwheat and plant tillage radish mid-August and then start filling in rye beginning of September?

[@PutEmInTheBox]

I am starting in NWNJ and know my soil is not great. Recently cleared trees and there’s lots of rock.

[@mwilliams4633]

Did you plant that corn with a planter

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Brandin from First Choice Food Plots did...Great Plains drill

[@patrickfarris8048]

Jeff. From experience with sweat feast, if it germinates and starts to grow then no rain for 7-10 days and then get rain will they bounce back or are are the plants basically dead? Best to leave the field and hope for good rain in September or do we replant something that will provide more tonnage? Thanks!

[@ryannoel8978]

How late can I plant winter rye in Illinois?My plan is waiting till farmers beans are close to coming out and broadcasting small acre sized areas by blinds

[@scotwolf9280]

I've planted October 1st ......Central ILL. Those deer love those tender new shoots.

[@six01playa]

I guess I’m just a dumb southerner but what is the “U/P of Michigan?” Upper Part? 😂

[@chadhendrickson5743]

Upper Peninsula, the part connected to northern Wisconsin

[@six01playa]

Chad Hendrickson Thanks, I figured it was something along those lines. Now I will be on board when he says that in videos. Lol

[@stevoky]

What is the negative if you plant rye or wheat to early?

[@codyshaw950]

It gets stalky and not as attractive as the tender shoots of when its growing

[@stevoky]

@@codyshaw950 can you mow cereal grains to prevent that?

[@codyshaw950]

I'm not sure I would assume no because I've never seen a video or read an article on people mowing it

[@andrewbrowning1605]

How many acres are you planting? I have 10 acres and feel like it would take for ever with a hand spreader. I brush hog the fields down, spray and then no till drill.

[@stevoky]

I used his no till method this year with good results. I'd say I have about 30 min per acre between spraying and seeding and I done about 8.5 acres this way. Also about an additional 10 acres conventionally and have about 75 min per acre between tilling seeding and cultipacking. So IMO it saves a load of time. But I used it in areas at high risk for erosion but you wouldn't have that problem with a drill. If I already had a drill I would buy a crimper and use Dr Woods Buffalo System but thats expensive stuff

[@andrewbrowning1605]

Steven Fields right on, I just feel my seed will go further with a drill, they are pretty flat well maintained fields.

[@rfb7117]

Andrew....I'm a little older and use a Fimco spreader mounted on the front of a 4 wheeler connected to a car battery. Works great and I can set the rate of seed and the spinner speed and run about 3mph.

[@Deatheater91]

What if you’re using cereal rye as your only fall plot in Tennessee? Would you still wait until mid to late September?

[@swvafarmer]

Yes

[@dmouse522]

I'm a little confused about the plant dates for rye. Wouldn't late August with good rain received and forecasted be OK; even though it's a few weeks prior to Labor day? Hope so, I'm in south central Wisconsin...sowed rye yesterday :)

[@thomastaylor3419]

I think the younger the rye, the more palatable to deer. In other words you wouldn't want it 18" tall heading into hunting season.

[@dmouse522]

@@thomastaylor3419 OK, that makes sense. Still, it's such a dance with rain here in sandy soils that a little early still might be the ticket if Nature provides water. Not a whole lot of other green around either; so I doubt they'll leave it untouched.

[@codyshaw950]

Just go and throw some more down middle of September

[@dmouse522]

@@codyshaw950 That was in my thoughts. I sowed last year somewhere around the first of September. Getting too tall was not a problem, getting past the teeth was!!

[@shawnsparr1470]

I'm heading out right now planting raddish and turnips. Have some rain coming over here in the east side of Michigan tomorrow. Good time to plant. I am doing no till this year. Killed all the weeds a few weeks ago then again last week to assure they was dead. I'll have good seed to ground contact. My question is. I have another plot only about 1/4 acre same property and the raddish and turnips. What can I plant in there it's a spot I cleaned up in the middle of pines and thickets. Great sunlight in there now the weeds also grew heavily in there this season so I used glyphosate and it's all dead what's the best to plant there now?

[@shawnsparr1470]

I'll have 2 plots. The acre then my small one

[@mikebutler5317]

Did you check the ph? Pine and the needles create an acidic soil. May need lime for next year.

[@malusmac]

Does anyone know if winter rye grain is shade tolerant?

[@swvafarmer]

Grows anywhere and everywhere

[@adkbowhunter5140]

Hi Jeff, when the tillage radish starts to grow, will deer browsing the tops stunt the growth, or will it continue to grow well? Thanks for the info👍🏼

[@MyVisualRomance]

No one ever said deer hunting is cheap lol 😂