food plot questions

[Slickhead]

For those that grows food, anyone have success with no till seed?
I was thinking of growing a patch this year in the woods behind my house.
I have found a tree for my ladderstand with a travel route about 16 strides from the stand.
so far the shot plot seems to be the best (per comments)
Anyway let me know
Thanks

[Ray Lyon]

I've done frost seeding (seeding before the ground thaws in the spring in roundup prepared plot areas) with excellent sucess without tilling.  I used the Ultimate Blend from the QDMA of Michigan. The matted duff from the roundup sprayed grass/weeds create a 'cover' to the seeds and the thawing and freezing of the ground creates little cavities that the seed can fall into and provides an acceptable seed bed.

That being said, if this is your one spot to hunt and it's a good travel route ambush, I'm not so sure I'd put a plot right there, especially if you're hunting in the morning when you could walk in and bump deer off in the dark and spoil a morning hunt.  The plots I've put in are for afternoon/evening hunts and not travel cooridors.

[overbo]

Sounds good to me but like all foodplot success,soil prep is the most important thing.Some of these broadcasting seed brands,make it sound like you go out there and throw the seed around and WAH-LAH,you have instant foodplot.Seed to soil contact is key.

[The Night Stalker]

Overbow is right, prep is the most important part even if its with hand tools. Lime the spot right now. It takes a while to get the soil right. Last year , I bought a 7 ft power tiller for the tractor. I had the best plots ever. To good, the deer wiped them out.  I really do not hunt over my plots, I want the deer to know they have a secure place to come and feed. That said, it is a good place to thin the does.

[rolltidehunter]

you need to take a rake and remove all the leaves and grass. or as much as possible. you need to lime the ground too. Lime is very inexpensive. then plant you seed later

[overbo]

Most no-till plots are mostly oats and rye,which both will grow on concrete(LOL).Lime isn't a big requirment to grow either.High lime content is favorable for legumes(alfalfa and clover).W/out a soil test.You are shooting in the dark w/ fertilzers but if you must.I would suggest 10-10-10-.