Foodplots

[bowhunting23]

I have already been getting ready for next deer season and have been clearing a few areas off for foodplots. I was just wondering if anyone had any good ideas for what I should plant. Last year I planted imperial clover in my 1 and only food plot. Unfortunatly the weeds took it over. but my corn did just fine. This year ill have 3 or 4 foodplots but there only at the most about 1/4 of an acre. There just little foodplots in the middle of some timbers i hunt and i was just wondering if anyone had any good ideas on what I should plant. I was thinking about planting antler king. The bucks and birds stuff. The only reason im sideing toward that is because id like to shoot a couple gobblers off of my foodplot too along with a nice buck come bow season.

[petey]

I've tried everything, in fact I've created plots with 1/8 - 1/4 acre white clover, New Zeland Cover, and buckwheat.

Buckwheat wins EVERY time. The deer eat it to the ground while it's still green. The unfortunate part is that it's normally brown and ready to harvest by Aug. Not really condusive to hunting over in the fall. If you plant a perennial such as clover you're good to go for future years to come. It's typically a bit more expensive. Don't buy into the hype with the pre-packaged clover bags. They normally mix numerous types of clover, where really white clover is the ticket. When you buy a 5 lb bag, you're typically paying for 1 lb of seed and 4 lbs of fertilizer. If you have a local feed store, just buy yourself some white clover and you're good to go.

The Biologic came out with some good mixes, Anything with brassicas in it, the deer seem to like (big leafy stuff you see on TV). They also have a good perennial blend, which has several types of New Zealand clovers. If you can buy brassicas off the shelf, chicory, or white clover...you're good. If you're looking for a good summer plot to see what type of animals you have, plant some buckwheat and you'll attract every deer within a mile ....at least that's how it is here. Since you're in Iowa, there's plenty of corn and beans....so go with something different. I've never tried the beats, but from what I've heard, it's more of a late season treat and the deer really aren't hitting it pre-season.

I'm no expert in the matter, what so ever...but those blends work for me well.

[muskrat30]

The partner has planted some turnips on marginal soil in MI that grow very well, better than sugar beets in that area. Yes they are more for late season. In the late Fall & Winter the deer dig through the snow for them. You could try a test plot on the side.