Our friendly and knowledgeable team of specialists can help you with any order, large or small. Have a question? Excitement had built over a year or more, quite a bit of reading, talking, and planning had taken place and to say these comments were a setback would have been an understatement. -All returns must be preauthorized by contacting us via email at service@deercreekseed.com or by calling our customer service department at (877) 247-3736 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Central Time. Deer Creek Seed Co. strives for complete customer satisfaction. The plot in the pictures was planted on March 23 and the turkeys and deer are already using them. Improving the soil ph can take many months so at the time of application, the soil ph levels were still very low. Years of research and development go into producing Whitetail Institute’s forage products. A soil building and weed control program utilizing annual rye and buckwheat can be carried out fairly easily as well when considering both seed types are easy to plant by simply broadcasting on exposed soil, and both require little moisture to germinate and are fairly drought tolerant for their respective ideal seasons of growth. It outlines what to plant to improve your soil. Well, there were just a few obstacles to overcome, including ph levels in the low 4s to 5, fertility levels seemingly non-existant, various weed concerns, and primarily a sandy loam to sandy soil. Frequent successful crop rotations on the creek plot had also contributed to the overall increase in fertility levels, including: Phosphorus from 4ppm to 46ppm, Potassium from 20ppm to 58ppm, Calcium from 50ppm to 555ppm, and Magnesium from 5ppm to a whopping 200ppm! During the hunting months however, was when the sharpest contrast of yearling buck development was realized, as multi-tined resident yearling bucks were often replaced with the pencil-thin and short spikes, of the dispersing yearling bucks that were typical representations of the surrounding area. The land is sandy and mostly covered by pines and oaks. The success, however, was not only been evidenced through soil tests, but by the consistent growth of the various plantings within the food plots, as well as the apparent improvement within the local deer herd. As far as a food plot, I would check with Whitetail Imperial and see what they recommend. Select sites with dense, heavy soil if you want to plant clover and other shallow-rooted plants. However, there are many factors that go into developing a successful wildlife food plot. Typically, the field would sit until the first of June when the frosts and freezes had subsided, and then buckwheat was broadcasted into the field. The soil preparation sounds like it’s in line with what would be recommended, so that all sounds like a winner from what you’ve stated. Finally, I also co-edited and co-authored the book Quality Food Plots, Your guide to better deer and better deer hunting with Lindsay Thomas and Karl Miller. -Shipments are processed Monday through Friday. A typical new food plot I have installed has had very similar beginnings and has followed some pretty simple steps. Of course, there is a creek nearby that includes two beaver dams within earshot to provide the gentle sounds of flowing water to a hunter that may be relaxing in a nearby tree stand, while watching a acre trail and harvest plot extension on the north side of the creek plot. Beets and carrots. Mature buck hunting, herd and habitat techniques. *During the "good old says", how did many of my food plots begin? Learn about specs for all our seed vareties. During the walk and talk we were able to view several potential whitetial food plot locations that fit into the overall strategic property layout. It may take a little good old fashioned stubbornness, but great results can be experienced quickly while blueberry land is first transformed into a soil building seasonal attraction, and finally into a potential whitetail paradise. I was extremely excited about the establishment of several future food plots and was interested in receiving constructive feedback from the forester. Michigan's diverse landscapes are the result of many different kinds of soil. Is there anything I could get to grow for a fall food plot as I try to adjust the Ph of the soil moving forward? food plot seed blends and other nutritional products. -All small parcel orders for in stock items ship the next business day. Also to aid in the success, crop rotations, if possible, would be highly recommended. The following is from pro-staffer Dr. Curtis Weinstein. Only nine months had passed from the time of the initial creating and planting of the plot, but the ph had already improved from 5.0 to 6.5, and that wasnt all. The attractiveness of the field was certainly welcomed, but when I took a soil test the following May and compared them to the initial sampling, the results were outstanding. Do you need food OR cover? The deer food plots that work best on sandy soils are cool season or winter food plots. *Rows of red pines? Although I can not recall the exact wording, the foresters comments were something along the lines of, No way, no how, Your soils are too bad, and You should plant rows of red pine instead of fields of clover. All rights reserved. We're ready to help you today. The two seed varieties that have worked best for me have been annual rye and buckwheat. It all works, it just has to be done. The best Michigan food plot for deer fills the void in the food, cover, water formula, and the deer will come from miles around to fill their bellies. To check out why, make sure to read, "Are Spring Food Plot Plantings Right For You". It grows nearly everywhere – sandy soils, clay soils, down South, up North as far as Pennsylvania and southern Michigan – and deer and turkeys absolutely love it. The problem now is that food plot seed has become very expensive, and large plots can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to put in. If you enjoy advanced whitetail food plot strategies, you'll love my Food Plot Success By Design book! Question. No way! When shipped to residential addresses, these orders will require someone to be home to accept delivery. For more info, check out our "Favorite Food Plot Blend From Last Year.". Sounds easy enough, right? Thousands of game camera photos, and hundreds of hours of hunter observations revealed a fawn recruitment rate of at least one fawn for every mature doe, which was double the local average. All across the country, many hunters are starting to realize the benefits about planting food plots on the lands they either lease or own in order to attract and hold more deer in their area. All of these annuals jump out of the ground faster than our perennials that are focusing on root structure, and since the annuals are taller the deer target them instead of the perennials. Although the initial recommendation was much higher, due to financial constraints I instead applied 200#s of 19-19-19 per acre of fertalizer hoping this would still be enough for a successful crop of the 100#s per acre of annual rye. Both the Back and Creek plots showed significant improvements during their respective soil test time periods, but the success on those plots was mirrored by the other 15 plots scattered throughout the property. Choosing the right crop for your food plot can be a daunting task. The forester was nice to talk to and offered many useful insights on various aspects of habitat and timber management as we explored the sandy trails rimmed with a variety of trees and bushes, including: Various pines, spruce, soft maple, tamarack, cedar, birch, fir, and a smattering of young beech. Maybe, maybe not, and that includes the use of clover. A typical new food plot I have installed has had very similar beginnings and has followed some pretty simple steps. Instead, most food plots are relegated to poorer soil and marginal farming locations. The carrier will usually call ahead to set an appointment time for delivery. Select this option during checkout. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at service@deercreekseed.com or by calling (877) 247-3736 weekdays between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Central Time. Filed under: Ask Grant, Food Plots ← Grant's Answers — Ask Grant. Large orders may require a physical address. Sure, for this particular parcel the perennial base was the ultimate goal (this goal can vary greatly by region), but I just can not stand to have nothing growing in a developing field while waiting for the perfect conditions to facilitate a more premium planting. Both aspects of building a quality food plot would require time, but I felt there was no reason I could not do both at the same time. After six summers had past, 50 tons of lime, and over eight total acres of plantings on 17 different food plots, experience with poor soils has shown me that one persons junk can definitely be transformed into another persons whitetail food plot treasure. *Regardless of poor soils or not, high diversity plantings can build a deer herd. Briefly, he says to plant buckwheat in the spring, till … Soil tests at this time had shown to be dramatically improved and it was at this time that the new food plot was ready for a more premium planting, including a combination of annuals such as oats, brassica, peas and rye, with a perennial base of clover and chicory that could be maintained on a rotational basis with a life of two years or more, if desired. I have had good success applying the techniques for building up the quality of sandy soil in the book "Ultimate Food Plots" by Michigan native Ed Spinnazola. A couple tons with a shovel, a few tons by hand-held broadcaster, over 10 tons by opening the bottom of a 50# bag and walking with it while waving your arms from side-to-side, and my favorite: A PTO mounted spreader that can hold up to 1000#s at a time. However, the forester recommended planting rowed red pines instead and explained that this location was most likely the worst location for a food plot due to its slightly crowned location and light soils. Finally, this property is in Michigan, so I need a food plot that accomplishes the above goals in a relatively cold environment for most the season. If you’ve purchased directly from a Deer Creek Seed Co. facility or via our website, please note the following terms and conditions: -Returns or exchanges are permitted if the product is returned, shipping cost prepaid, to the origin facility within 30 days of purchase. With a chainsaw and some back muscles. For more food plot location strategies, check out, "4 Critical Food Plot Location Strategies". The plot is rimmed with a solid representation of young conifer, including spruce, fir, and white pine, but also contains the scattered stately beauty of mature white pine, cedar, and spruce. We consult from soil tests and more. Thanks for your thoughts and good luck in 2018. -Bulk orders shipped by pallet (LTL) ship within 1-3 business days. Food Plots also an essential part of creating a healthier deer herd through better fawn production not to mention increased antler production. Turning junk into treasure requires hard work and patience, but with persistant dedication success can be achieved. Sand-tolerant species are selected to attract both deer and birds for a great hunting experience. Sandy Sure Shot Food Plot Mix will allow you to get more out of your sandy ground. Of all of the food plots on the property, the creek plot was one of my favorite locations and designs. It's the best way to ensure a healthy food plot that will attract deer.” Even better than plain wheat is a blend of wheat and brassicas with some clover seed added to the mix. Also, weed problems would be a concern, so the use of chemicals to control potential weed growth was highly recommended. Spreading lime is easy on the brain as well. Many new plots have started in May. Well, thats when the tour of the property began to turn from excitement, to disappointment. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Increasingly popular, they have helped hunters to bag bigger bucks and helped deer to become bigger and healthier over the long winters in Michigan. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Visit to learn more. Soil pH plays a strong role in determining the success of any food plantings in the garden. We spray 2 to 3 quarts of Butyrac 200 (per acre) postemergence with a non-ionic surfactant before cool … If you would like to return any product please do so at the original place of purchase. Credit will be issued within 30 days of receipt of merchandise. Sand-tolerant species are selected to attract both deer and birds for a great hunting experience. He has found a great way to plant food plots in bad soil conditions. -On occasion, we reserve the right to use a different carrier than the one selected. Fill in your delivery details to check available shipping options and calculate rates for this product. When it comes to food plots, you will get the best possible results in the most cost-effective way if you stick to the basics - and go step-by-step. The problem with sandy soil is when it rains it doesn't hold the water. Orders received over the weekend will ship the following Monday. Your shipping costs will not change and order transit times should stay the same. -We take great pride in fulfilling your orders quickly and efficiently. Building Soil in Food Plots By GrowingDeer, 08/11/2010. I initially headed the warning, but after two full years of contrary experience on the entire rest of the property, I stubbornly created, limed, fertilized, and planted the acre plot on a long weekend, finishing on August 3, 2002. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Fill a soil box with this mixture and label it so you know which area it came from (if taking multiple samples from multiple sites). The extension agent assisted me in the process of collecting and obtaining the results from several soil tests and did a good job in explaining to me that although my potential food plot soils resembled great blueberry land (which I found was not a good thing! Clover, for instance, will grow in sandy or well-drained soil if it gets adequate rain, but it struggles in those places during dry periods. Another shot of herbicide was used at this time, and the field again began the buckwheat phase.By late Summer the field could be sprayed a 3rd time within a year, following 3 soil building crops of buckwheat and rye. Sandy Sure Shot seed was designed to grow in dryland and sandy soil conditions. We stock G.R.O. Mix these cores together in a plastic bucket. Great wildlife nutrition is supplied throughout the growing season first in the form of succulent young plants and beans and eventually as mature buckwheat and sunflowers. Both seed varieties are extremely tolerant to poor soils, both are known as great soil builders, and both are competitive with weed growth. I was then left to pretend to be a farmer, pray for rain, and wait for the results. Instead of banking on adequate rain to grow anything anywhere, tailor your plot choices to the soil type. Due to COVID-19 we are temporarily suspending customer pickups until further notice. If you’re seeking to improve habitat for whitetails, there’s a good chance you’ve mailed in a soil sample for analysis before applying lime or fertilizer to your food plots. By mid-September the plot was a carpet of green and due to the remote location it was no surprise that this plot became and instant hit with the local deer herd. Copyright © 2021 Deer Creek Seed. Woods recommends 100 pounds of wheat, two pounds of forage brassicas and four or five pounds of clover per acre for most applications. No worries on time of year, time of season, time of day, soil temperatures or weather patterns, just get it onto the soil and forget about it. After the lime, fertalizer, and seed was broadcast on the exposed soil of the freshly cleared field consisting of scattered young pine, mature pine stumps logged in the early 80s, and a few young spruce, the new field was then rolled with a lawn roller and ATV; my most conveniant method of cultipacking at the time. ), the success of my plantings would boil down to three things: ph, fertility, and moisture. This is a smart move that will quickly reveal missing nutrients, but other factors like soil type, drainage and depth can also substantially influence the productivity of the site — and which plants are suited to it. Looking back to that spring day in 1999 and that walk with the forester I was especially excited about creating one very remote plot on the back of the property. -Orders shipped to PO Box addresses must ship via the United States Postal Service due to postal regulations. A food plot located along a sandy drainage or riparian area is a good travel corridor for whitetail deer and the soil sounds like it will work well, at list for a food plot for the fall and winter. Food Plots That Grow Good in Acidic Soil. [question] Hi Grant, I recently purchased 40 acres in western Michigan and want to plant crops that will attract deer and enhance antler growth. In May of 2000, the indicated ph of 4.1 seemed almost prohibitive, but three years and five tons of lime per acre later, the ph had been built to a perfect 6.9! I planted additional plots this spring for a total of 2.5 acres. Seed blends for Michigan food plots for deer may include winter wheat, cereal rye, and cereal oats along and even iron clay peas, sunflowers and soybeans. Then, at the appropriate time for the region, annual rye was then broadcasted into the field. Low ph and poor fertility levels pointed towards seed varieties that were not as finicky. The year was 1999 and I couldn't wait! For best results, plant Sandy Sure Shot after the last spring frost through the early fall to attract wildlife during late fall hunting seasons. When you purchase 20 pounds or more of any. That particular field became a huge success, but it was no different than the rest of the many plots that were scattered throughout the property. About the time the rye is reaching a foot or more in mid Spring there begins a second round of various weeds, including bracken fern. By Jon Cooner. “I wanted to share with everyone a great way to start food plots on your land when you have bad soil, whether it be sandy, clay, hard packed, reclaimed, super rocky or just bad in general. The majority of the time the seeds were not cultipacked, because buckwheat had proven to germinate well with adequate moisture. First, by correcting the soil ph, the plants could then use the appropriate fertilization levels and if those plantings were completed at a time that would insure adequate moisture relative to the soil conditions and future germination and growth of the young plants, then food plot success would be achieved. The results are field-proven and can help you enjoy the best deer hunting ever. Michigan based Grandpa Ray Outdoors distributor. This, first season food plot was an immediate hit with the local deer herd, and a necessary habitat feature in this location. Often a natural opening may be inviting, but a food plot is only as good as where it is located, and not necessarily the quality of the planting. -Product being returned or exchanged must be in the original, unopened packaging. And we're better than Michigan Food Plot Services Instead, I have found that improving both weed conditions and fertility can go hand and hand. Michigan; This is the second year that I have planted Sweet Spot food plots. It is fully forested except where the power company was so nice to provide us with a power line. Hi Grant, We have 424 acres in the mountains of southwest Virginia. While multiple herbicide treatments were recommended to significantly reduce future weed growth, there was still the task of attempting to improve soil fertility. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has categorized in wetlands alone about 2,000 different soils within the United States, and these wetland soils support some 5,000 different kinds of plants. "4 Critical Food Plot Location Strategies", "Are Spring Food Plot Plantings Right For You", "Great Deer Habitat Without Quality Food Is Dead". The results of the back plot after only nine months had shown dramatic improvement, but my biggest question was what the results of initially my worst plot would show, the creek plot, after three years. With the use of less finicky annuals, coupled with herbicide treatments between plantings, weed control and soil fertility levels, not to mention plot utalization by the local deer herd, can be all be completed at the same time. There’s a little more to this answer as well as I do want to at least mention options to address your underlying problem. Almost any perennial such as clover, chicory or birdsfoot is a good choice for seed blends for Michigan food plots for deer with heavy feeding activity. What is the best food plot for deer in Michigan? After six to eight weeks, weeds were actually a welcome sight within the field and the new plot was sprayed for the first time to control weed growth. We’re ready to help you today. Check it out! Good Luck! Sandy Sure Shot Food Plot Mix will allow you to get more out of your sandy ground. If you use a 20' wide swath of Egyptian Wheat (EW) for your short term screening option, you can plant the EW adjacent to the food plot, followed by a 20' width of switchgrass, speckled alder or miscanthus for the mid term solution, and then a few alternating rows of Norway Spruce, spaced 5-6' apart, for your permanent solution. Also, while developing your whitetail food plot, you and the local deer herd will be much happier if you limit the amount time your field is out of production. This is because the water holding capacity of sandy soils is much lower than that of soils with a heavy clay content. Need a seed quote? There are many seed options on the market, all promising great results and the sure appearance of the wildlife trophies you’re hoping to attract. There are two crops that fair we'll in sandy soil. By correcting ph and fertility levels, taking advantage of regional moisture trends, rotating tolerant annual warm and cold season seed plantings, while at the same time addressing weed concerns between plantings, poor soil has the potential to yield a high quality and productive whitetail food plot for the continuous enjoyment by both the land manager, and the local deer herd. When the field was level, a minimum of 4 tons of lime per acre was then applied. Over the years Ive found that there are many ways to spread lime and they all work just fine. The new plot was then enjoyed by both deer and hunters for fall through early Winter, and would stay green and productive through the following Spring. As it states on the bags of lime I apply, The time to lime, is anytime, and that is so true. No credit can be given for product that is opened or damaged, due to the nature of our products. Correcting the soil ph of the food plots was labor intensive, initially high in cost, but fairly easy to complete. If you live near our Windsor, WI warehouse, you are welcome to pick up your order. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. Email us today and one of our specialists will respond as soon as possible. I recommend the book to anyone planting food plots in the North. Killer Food Plots is the premier provider of Whitetail deer food plot seed blends, Whitetail deer feed, complete food plot installation and maintenance, attractants, cover scents and total services to manage your hunting property. Sandy Sure Shot seed was designed to grow in dryland and sandy soil conditions. Recently, food plots have been that trend. There are no reviews added for this product yet. *Are Summer food plots right for you? At the same time, both are attractive to deer and can be used at alternating times of the year. However 3 to 4 acres are tree free. I have a food plot that is very acidic. After a several weeks of planning, the day finally came to take a walk with a conservation forester on our recently acquired property. The initial setback with that particular forester was followed by a more positive meeting with the local Michigan State University agricultural extension agent. Last year I planted 1.5 acres in the fall and I now have a nice stand of clover, turnips and rye this spring. Although this particular plot had provided some of the best mature buck encounters, either by hunter or camera, and was the 2nd most consistently frequented food source on the property, the beginning was not very promising and you can imagine how curious I was in 2003 to receive the results of the three year soil test. You have a few options. Over a six-year period the first plot on the property was expanded from a one hundred yard acre plot, to a twisting, partially half-moon shaped plot from 20 to 40 yards wide, covering 225 yards, and eventually containing 1 and acres of premium plantings. In mid-May the local snow melt on those old UP of Michigan food plots locations, had just about completely dissipated and the fields were in acceptable working conditions. In mid-May the local snow melt on those old UP of Michigan food plots locations, had just about completely dissipated and the fields were in acceptable working conditions. My ultimate goal was to incorporate a crop rotation with clovers and possibly other perennials as a base, but initially clover was not appropriate. It pays to seek whitetail habitat advice, from an actual whitetail habitat professional. To help you answer that question, make sure to check out, "Great Deer Habitat Without Quality Food Is Dead". The site was cleared in some manner, either by a chainsaw (not preferred) the FEL on my tractor, light bulldozer work, or a combination of all 3. Phosphorus levels on the plot increased from 5ppm to 12ppm, Potassium levels from 10ppm to 42ppm, Calcium levels from 50ppm to 278ppm, and Magnesium levels from 5ppm to 110ppm! Im not sure my admittedly familiar stubbornness would typically be considered one of my qualities by friends and family members, but looking back to that walk with the forester on that early spring day in 1999, my stubbornness was on my side. Many new plots have started in May. All three books are available at www.QDMA.com or 1-800-209-3337. Also, contrary to the regional average of at least 50% of the yearling bucks carrying small spikes, the majority of the yearling bucks were multi-tined, including the propertys first yearling 8-point photographed numerous times throughout the 2005 growing season. Wildlife Food Plots. Perform a soil test for exact recommendations. Soil tests at this time have shown to be dramatically improved and it is at this time that the new food plot is ready for a “premium” planting, including a combination of annuals with a perennial base that will be maintained on a rotational basis with a life of two years or more if desired.