Anything I can do with it at this time of year so I could have something growing in there come November and December or is it too late for anything now?
All of these plots would be what I would consider “kill plots” They are not meant as a food source, nutrition, ect. as there is more than enough food for them around.
Yes, you still have time. I’d recommend you plant a high-quality clover blend and then plant oats as a nurse crop. I’ll be planting this on a new clover plot later this week.
You are very lucky, now is a great time to have this as an option. First, clover is best planted as a fall crop because this will reduce weeds in the plot because clover germinates and grows in cooler weather whereas weed seeds do not. Also, clover is an ideal crop for your hill because it is a perennial crop so you will not have to till and replant next year. On a hillside every time you till and plant, you risk having what happened to you, happen again. A well-planted and managed stand of clover will last 3-4 years. I have clover now that is 4 years old.
It is very important to use a clover blend that is tuned to the conditions in MN and NOT a mail order blend from the south.
Oats should be seeded in with the clover as a nurse crop for several reasons. First they grow very quickly and protect the clover by providing a sweet food for the deer to hammer so they will focus on this and not get at the clover that is coming next to the soil. Also, oats will help prevent erosion.
I would disc across the hillside and set your gangs with no angle to “ridge” the soil at the last pass parallel to the line of the hill to maximize the erosion protection. Setting ridges will help catch seed in a light rain.
Grouse
