first food plot

[daleysmith45]

It is set in Oregon in the Willamette Valley in the woods right next to a grass field about 100 yards from the river with the grass field in between the woods and the river is about 30 yds of flat forest untill you start going uphill. There is also a natural spring that feeds into a creek at the base of the hill. In this flat spot i scraped canary grass away and disked an irregular shaped plot of between 1/6 and 1/4 of an acre and planted it about 3 days ago with white clover i harrowed it and culti-packed it then i brought irrigation in and am watering it right now.

1. Any thing i did wrong or did good for a rookie
2. What should i do next? i.e. plant something over it in the fall, mow it, let it grow anything

Thanks

[diydeerfoodplots]

Great for getting out there and giving it a try. If I picture it right, sounds like you have done the first step right, which is plot location strategy. Looks like you'll have a good vantage point from above entering the plot while remaining out of the wind. Sounds like they also have a good interface there and will feel safe too. Does the words sitting ducks ring a bell.

If you used common white clover, it is a pretty good choice for first time, I think. It tolerates just about anything except deep shade and chronically dry conditions. Usually pretty good in winters too.

Depending on how many deer you have, you could run into two problems: one is overgrazing before you get it going well, the other is you may need to mow it, to control weeds while it gets established.

I like to put a strip of brassicas in my plots for winter attraction factor. I use kale/rape/turnips/beets/carrots.

[daleysmith45]

When should i plant the brassicas

[diydeerfoodplots]

Generally speaking 6-8 weeks before frost as this will allow maximum growth. These plants are not that palatable to deer before the frost, but some of the root vegetables become sugary after the frost and they will dig them up then.
If possible pick a spot along the edge so doesn't overtake your clover as are more aggressive plants. But figure the deer will come there in cooler weather and set up that segment as to best suit alignment with whatever cover you are using during hunting season. Make sure it is positioned so you are in good position.
And other than mowing, be careful not to visit too much, as visiting too much in advance, or you will spoil it for later. If you do visit do it in the heat of the day and plan you way in and out, don't use the same way in you think the deer are going to use. Nothing sadder than doing a good plot and having no traffic because you've made it a three lane highway in and out and left your scent everywhere for several months before hunting season.

[DocHolladay]

If I read it right, it sounded like you planted, then harrowed, then cultipacked. Is this right??? If so, you covered the clover to deep and it wont grow. If you harrowed, seeded and then cultipacked, you should be alright.