New food plot ideas?

[cam]

I've decided to move my bow hunting spot down off the top of the mountain top because I'm tired of fighting the wind when I'm hunting. About 120 yards down from the top of the hill is a shelf that flattens out nicely and is about 30 yards wide, and about 45 long. Thinking about building my blinds at the ends.

Last weekend I went up there to just check things out and found that it was all on fire. This is great news, because we've been wanting to do a controlled burn, but its been too dry. Apparently this was started by lightning.

So, I've got this freshly burned 30x45 yard area that has minimal rocks. The soil pH is running between 5.4 and 5.6...yeah, I know. Pretty poor crap. Mostly pine and blackjack oaks up there.

I'd hate to plant anything too deep rooted because I don't know how deep I can go before I hit rock. I was thinking clover or maybe wheat? Anything you guys can suggest?

Thanks!

Cam

[cam]

Ok..I just talked to my buddy who does a lot of work with soil samples and he's also a hunter. Says that some of the crops that grow in crap soil like mine are: Vetch, Buckwheat, Chicory, Chufa, Crimson Clover, Cowpeas, Lablab, Rape, Ryegrass, and maybe winter wheat.

Any of you guys got any experience with any of these?

[Admin]

I grow food plots but always grow clover/brassica blends that require close to a ph of 7. It sounds like you are talking about a shelf in the woods that would get dappled sun. Heartland Seed Co sells a sub terrainian clover that is formulated for woodland plots although I'm uncertain about the ph requirements. I used to sell their products but never sold the woodland trail mix cause the profit margin was crap for the dealer.

If you can't find them on the internet pm me and I'll try to find the info for ya.

[cam]

Thanks JC! I'll look around for them.

That shelf actually gets pretty good sun from about 11am thru the rest of the day. Those blackjack oaks around here only get about 15 foot tall.

I mainly just want something growing other than that damn bluestem and lespedeza crap. Something the critters will enjoy having around up there other than the acorns.