Small Plot Help

[Hoyt03]

I'm looking to create a small plot of some sort on a small piece of land roughly 20 acres. This is kinda residential with this 20 acres being a small woodlot. I do have some small opening that will allow light in. I'm only looking to create like a 20 to 30 yards wide and long plot. Something the deer moving through can feed on. I will have to do all raking by hand, using a garden rake of somesort. Can I get the biologic clover plots to grow well with this method? I'm looking for this plot to be a food source from about mid sept through October in PA. Basically an archery food plot where mostly does will be feeding. When do you start planting this stuff to have it be prime around that late summer early fall time frame. Appreciate any tips for my small projects food plot.

By the way, I know alot recommend planting apple tree's and I think this property would be perfect for this. Do you get the tree's young and just give them the years to mature(which I belive would be like 5 yrs down the road) or do they develope quicker? This property will be a long term thing so the time wont matter. Just trying to give the deer that are there a little extra, and to possibly give me some better archery opportunities.

[dogdoc]

I've had my best luck with small plots like that by planting an annual cereal grain such as wheat. Yes--you can get this done with hand tools as long as it is done correctly.

[TxBowHunter]

Biologic would be good.

[Hoyt03]

I saw the 1/4 acre bags and I think this is what I'll go with. Do I just rake up the ground then spread the seed on top or will I have to get this stuff under the dirt. This is basically going to be a project to keep me busy for awhile and hopefully draw a few deer in.

By the way does anyone have any input on planting some apple trees?

[ousoonerfan22]

I would also plant some crab apple trees,the kind with the yellow fruit about the size of a quarter.My parents have one in their yard and I picked up the fruit and poured them out beside a pile of red apples and pears,the deer would eat all the crab apples.

[PAstringking]

when i planted apple trees a few years back i just dug a whole in the ground and planted them. they were young and small. the only thing that i can suggest about planting them....CAGE them...the deer killed the tree before it even had time to mature.

i have about 3 that are caged now and are slowly growing. also you will have to make sure that the apple tree has the most light possible.

im looking to do a no plow food plot on my land this summer too. where you located?

[Hoyt03]

Located right on the edge of Cumberland and York counties, not far from Harrisburg, you?

[PAstringking]

i live in Warrington (Bucks County), hunt right outside of Wyalusing (Bradford County), go to school in Williamsport (Lycoming County), and my Girlfriend lives in New Cumberland

[Hoyt03]

new cumberland is not very far from me, if were referring to the same one. I had a buddy who went to Lycoming Coll

[luckyman4]

Hoyt03,

Clover takes a while to mature and start producing good forage, so if you are going with clover, I recommend a spring planting for you to hunt over in the fall. Test your soil for pH and add enough lime to bring it 6.5. One nice thing about clover is that it will be there for a few years and will attract deer from spring - winter, so they get used to using the food source. Also, the clover varieites selected specifically for food plots are high protein and will help your deer herd throughout the year, not just help you put them in the freezer.

If you don't mind, or maybe want the option of planting every year, I highly recommend one of the cereal grains like dogdoc said. I had VERY good luck with a SMALL plot of buck forage oats planted in an opening in the woods. Oats will probably die off in the winter, depending on your location in PA. Winter wheat or Winter Rye will survive the winter and go to seed in late spring/early summer unless you mow them down. All are easy to establish, but need to be planted a little deeper than clover. They can grow in a little more acid soil (pH 5.5-6.0).

For apple trees, I second the recommendation of caging them. If you have a decent deer population, they love to browse on the leaves and buds of apples. Apple trees will grow in most forest soils that I am familiar with in NY, as long as the soil has good drainage. In order to bear fruit, apple trees need GOOD light, so plant them in large openings or on the southern edge of the woodlot. Time to bear fruit depends on variety and the size of the tree when you plant it.

[Hoyt03]

thanks for the tips so far, how much do apple tree's cost?

[ousoonerfan22]

Around here in the spring WalMart,Lowes and the local farm supply store has them for $15-$20.

[deerkillr777]

i am thinking abotu the same idea as you hoyt 03 becasue i want the saem thing other than u i have a tractor with disc and a plow i live in watsontown about 20 miles south of williamsport and its the saem with me jsut want a small archery plot i tried it last year but didnt have enough light like i thought so i took out to crappy trees that took most of my like so we will see what it happens this sping and summer

[deerkillr777]

heck if u want this sping i will come down and bring my disc tractor and plows with me and tear up the ground for you all i do is tear it up abotu a good inche or 2 with discs then run the plows threw to help some and then spead the seed

the seed i am trying is some home made mix of clover timothy weat corn beans and some fox tails around the outside edge for soem good rabit and bird cover but the trail coming in will be mowed down with clover and weat

[PAstringking]

well **** im at school in williamsport and my land is an hour away. you want to help me?

i cant affod a disc or a quad or tractor.

college = no money