Food plot question

[onenationhere]

I am interested in putting in a food plot on my property in Northern Michigan,the problem is that the property is almost all cedar swamp,it is scattered here and there with maple,aspen and birch but the majority is cedar and hemlock,there is no standing water on the property even after a heavy rain but the ground is pretty spongy,the soil is thick and black.I was on the Imperial whitetail clover web site and there it stated that they have a product that will grow in bottom land areas like mine,it was my understanding that growing crops in these types of areas is difficult,if not impossible,has anyone else here planted a food plot in these types of conditions,how about some suggestions on what I could do to attract more deer if the food plot thing falls through,thanks

[Bowhunters]

I'm assuming that you've already researched your states hunting regulations to ensure you can harvest deer around a food plot or a grain feeder.


The Whtetail Institute that have the Imperial clover make several seed blends but if you are referring to their 'Imperial Whitetail Clover' blend they discuss on their site that it does extreemly well in areas that get 30" or more of moisture each year and in bottom land soils that stay wet so that would likely be the best choice for you to try.

Some of their other blends are more for medium moisture or semi dry land or land that is hilly and has good drainage.

The first thing you need to do is find a clearing in the trees that offers good sunlight in the summeer where you want to place the plot and take soil samples, Clover requires a specific PH range in the soil for it to do well so you need to take a few dirt samples around that plot area 'mix them together for an average' and then take the group sample to your nearest Agricultural Center for a soil analysis.

In some states the testing may be free or a minimum charge of a few dollars and some have soil testing kits for taking the sample, the results will tell you what condition your soil is in and then you will know if the soil needs some lime added to improve the PH when you disk the plot prior to planting the seed. The testing and adding lime if needed is definitely worth the trouble and small expense.

On their 'Whitetail Institute' website there is a place there where you can sign up for a free sample of the seed which will be enough to plant a very small plot and to give you an idea over the first summer if it will do well in your area.

That clover is also a Perrenial, so you only have to replant every 3-5 years and not replant every spring like some plot seed that use annual varieties.

So the first thing you need to do 'if you are serious' would be to order the free sample of seed so you'll have it on hand to plant next spring for your test planting and to decide of the plot location and take some soil samples of the place and have them tested. The small free bag of seed will tell you how big of a plot it will plant, you don't want to spread it too thin by trying to make a bigger plot than what it says.

Good Luck!

[boondocker]

Like bowhunter said PH is important with clover.
I have some ground that is spongy in northern Minnesota and have had good luck with Alsike clover in that area of the field. Always have some Imperial planted. You might try your local Farm feed store and see what they recomment for the area.
A blend of different clovers would be good to try also as that way something is likely to come up and grow well.
We seem to get the best clover in fields that get some shade at some point during the day, like, the best clover seems to grow on the south edge of the fields.
And Fertilizer will make a huge difference.
Good luck and the rain willing you will get a good crop.

[onenationhere]

Thanks for the info