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Offline Leatherstocking

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Food Plots
« on: March 17, 2012, 01:57:30 PM »
My son and I are looking to get a food plot established in two spots that have never been tilled. Probably will look to plant beets or turnips. Both spots would be fairly small (less than 1/4 acre each), but since they have never been tilled and this is in upstate NY on pretty rocky ground I am looking for a way to turn it over the first time without breaking my back or any equipment. Was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to how to go about it. One spot is tractor accesible and I may be able to get a local farmer to plow it but the other spot is up in the woods and fairly hard to get to. Folks are telling me not to bother with a regular garden tiller. Would like to hear thougt or experiences. Thanks.
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Offline Land_Owner

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2012, 05:20:54 AM »
A single blade "Sub-Soiler" plow comes to mind.  While I have no experience with rocky soils or a sub-soiler, my host in South Carolina has one that isn't often used but it digs deep and turns the earth well.  Then the discing plow is capable of breaking it up.  The 20-blade 22" discing plow, at over 750#, by itself isn't heavy enough and doesn't dig as deeply as necessary.
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Offline jlwilliams

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2012, 05:45:09 AM »
Pitch fork is probably the best tool for the job.  As far as not breaking you back, have your son do it.
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Offline Rol Page

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2012, 11:51:31 AM »
If I had the idea to do a food plot I think I would include a few late maturing apple trees around the edge just to sweeten the deal...Northern Spy apples seem to be late maturing and from personal experience I know that NY whitetails like them...
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Offline dukkillr

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2012, 12:44:27 PM »
I've got an attachment that spins laterallly like a top, rather than up and down.  I have no idea what the technical term is, but I call it a "ripper" because it tears up untilled ground.  Then you switch to a tiller, disk, harrow, or whatever.  I push mine with an old gravely but I suspect others make similar equipment. 
 
Breaking the ground isn't really all that hard if the dirt is there.  Kill what's growing there (roundup) and then you can break it up with about anything.  I once spilled a bit of the turnip bag trying to load the seeder.  Turnips sprouted on the gravel there... they will grow, literally, anywhere.
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Offline hillbill

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2012, 01:32:26 PM »
i have similar plots her in MO. what i do is use what we call a DIGGER. its just several narrow shanks on a toolbar, mounted on yur 3pt. dig it up, do it again next week and the week after. if you can disk it if you cant. plant it.
what i do is spray them and kill everything and dig them up and disk them. then plant turnips and brassica. but i do that in the fall about august. i dont really plant spring  food plots anymore.
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Offline Leatherstocking

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #6 on: March 18, 2012, 02:24:15 PM »
Excellent input. Much appreciated.
 
Hey Roland - good to hear from you! As far as the apples go, yep, we're doing that too. Attempting to re-establish an old orchard that used to be on the property. Planting a few every year.
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Offline keith44

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2012, 05:42:02 PM »
A harrow or drag after spraying will help with removing rocks near the surface, if they need to be removed


Other than what has been posted above that's all I got.



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Offline hillbill

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2012, 02:01:50 PM »
ive not had good luck with beets but would like to try them again. turnips seem to come up anywhere yu throw them. since your in a northren zone you might want to start second week of july instead of first of august like i do here in mo.
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Offline Blue Duck

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2012, 04:50:53 AM »
Quote from: hillbill on March 29, 2012, 02:01:50 PM
ive not had good luck with beets but would like to try them again. turnips seem to come up anywhere yu throw them. since your in a northren zone you might want to start second week of july instead of first of august like i do here in mo.
  When you plant in august, when do you expect your rain to start?  Id like to fall plant but my rain won't usually start until the middle of sept. or later.  Im thinking thats too late, especially when frost can come right with the rain.
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Offline ub1167

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2012, 03:27:31 AM »
Working with a garden tiller will work. I have  ROCKY ground here in central Wisconsin. You'll beat the tiller up some but if thats all you have it will break ground. Dont forget to lime and fertlize .  I had guys laugh at me for using a tiller . But i have had the last laugh come deer season.
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Offline jhm

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Re: Food Plots
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2012, 04:42:34 AM »
If you do have rocky ground remember to remove the rocks or you will have them to deal with again next year.   Jim
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