X2, that's a pretty field and looks like a killing spot.

X3.....That looks real nice Dean. Good job!

CNC,
I've followed your posts about improving the soil quality closely. One question I have is just how sandy was your field when you started this? And secondly, in extremely sandy areas, is there anything that may grow to start building organic matter?

All Harold was missing was the ocean! LOL

That's what I remember

Yeah, it's pretty crappy soil for sure. I see a lot of people in my area with this type of situation. Below is a pic of the soil before I started.


Cereal rye in the fall…..millet and natural vegetation in the summer……low doses of nutrients applied frequently…..If it were possible in your situation, I’d be adding 50 lbs of 33-0-0 every 4 weeks all year until things get going. That’s just throwing out the ideal way I’d want to do it. I understand that may not be feasible. Start getting some lime applied. Again, apply in small doses to begin with. If you’re dealing with really poor sand then you have next to zero holding capacity for such nutrients. As the soil builds then soil will your holding capacity.

^^ That soil situation is all too common.

Looking good. Winter Rye and crimson clover top seeded. I did not get a chance to fertilize this particular field and obviously did not spray it. Hopefully the tall stuff wil either get browsed or die from the frost. I think I'm going to run over it with the bushhog pretty high tomorrow.

My Throw n Mow field's are looking pretty high. Should I mow them? I do have a lot of clover in them.

Just let them go if they're green and not yellow. There's been a ton of food in the woods this year. They'll start hitting them more soon with the colder temps and freezes killing off the other vegetation.

Thanks

Got some new deer showing up now on camera in the test plot....It's about that time for food plot usage to start ramping up a lot more since the other green forage is now mostly gone.

Per my cameras, plot usage started increasing Nov 19th at my place.

I hunted a plot for the 1st time this year on Nov 24th and was happy to see through my binos when I climbed into the ladder stand that the brassicas around the outside edge of the plot had started being hit.



It didn't take long for the deer to show up and they worked on the brassicas.

Late posting this but we increased the number of T&M plots in Barbour Co. Pleased with all the new spots we tried. probably the best thing we have done there in 20 years to save, time,money, etc.

Have this website and forum to thank!

Awesome!

Went ahead and tried some mowing. what do y'all think.

Whew!!! Good lawd that's thick! Looks nice.

Why did you mow it?

To be honest I just thought it looks better. I have heard it helps new growth. I have hunted and planted food plots for over 30 years. When I have had plots this high I've usually not seen heavy use. This is my first try at Throw n Mow and just can't see way I should do it any other way. You can't see it in the pictures but there is a LOT of clover in them. We will see. I hope it works out for the best.

Hog's are liking the high grass.

Makes sense. This is my first year with it too. I'm still trying to learn.