question about my food plot?

[Haz]

I have a 1/2 acre food plot I'm wanting to plant in Keystone Heights. Its very sandy and getting water to it is going to be tough without rain. Any suggetions on the best food to plant? The area is surrounded by black jacks. Thanks!

[Scotty Brown]

First have the soil tested and treat with fertilizer and lime according to the recommendations. Soil test are $5-$8 each. If you want to skip ahead to step 2 and bypass Step 1, your next Step is to burn the money you wanted to spend on seed in a metal bucket! County Extension offices also recommend plant species for your particular area. Weekend wildlife mangers do not use County Extension agents nearly enough in my opinion. The Agents know what works from interaction with local farmers. Also, sandy soils require more frequent soil testing, due to the quicker leaching of lime and fertilizer away from the surface. The next question is how much sun will this spot get? A long, skinny plot that runs north south, bordered by mature trees will be shaded quite a bit. If the area is a square, plant shade tolerant species along the four edges and a more sun requiring plant species in the middle of the plot.

For summer iron clay peas might do well, however you should probably electric fence it off if you have lots of deer as they will mow it down in a few evenings before it gets very big on a plot that small. You rainy season is June-September, so it will be your fall plots that will be rain deficient. Oats, rye and wheat should do OK, along with Crimson clover. Tecomote, Biologic and even Westervelt now have seed blends with several plant species so the deer don’t wipe it out all at once. A blend used on small plots is actually more beneficial than on larger plots and it costs less to buy seed blends for smaller areas.

[Haz]

Thanks Scotty for the info. I called the extention office and I'm taking a soil sample this week. I will post on how well the iron clays do in this area.

[ednamyslowski]

Try some soy beans, they grow pretty good in the sand.