Seed Choices and Sources

So the area around our shack was logged this winter and I’d like to get something growing on the road they pushed in. We don’t have the equipment so we’re not able to disc, lime, or fertilize. Plus it’s quite rocky, as in bed rock. We could drag the area after planting though. Beyond the standard Antler King or Whitetail Institute products is there anything decent that would grow along the Canadian border? We’ve got clover to grow in the past but I’m looking for more variety and something that will help hold the road together. I was thinking oats, rye or Timothy mixed in. Thanks.

Look at antler kings no sweat mix, the stuff kicks butt and all you need is a rake

For an area like that I’d say rye or buckwheat. Both will grow on pavement if it gets wet. You are going to have some compaction on the soil because of the heavy equipment. If you can mow it once it matures you can get a double crop out of the rye if you spring plant. Buckwheat needs warmer temps to germinate, so you won’t be able to plant that far north until mid June, but it is a great soil builder and is easy to plant by just broadcasting and dragging.

In your situation, I would lean toward spring planted rye. Once it gets mature and seeds out you can mow it off and let it regrow, maybe overseed with more rye if you don’t get great seed heads, then you will have a nice young crop for early fall that will come back up in the spring.

Grouse is the expert on rocky soil, so I am sure he has a better idea.

sticker wrote:

Grouse is the expert on rocky soil, so I am sure he has a better idea.

I resemble that remark…

You’ve got a number of challenges. Right on the border, you’ve got a late last frost date, no equipment, etc.

I’m assuming you’re not going to continue to drive on the roads because the only thing that would hold up to vehicle traffic would be true grasses that have little nutritional value.

I’d do a blend of oats, rye, and perennial clovers (reds and whites). As sticker says, oats and rye will grow on a basketball court if you get enough moisture. Clovers have staying power and will keep producing for about 3 years.

This blend will make the most out of what you have and will serve as a good cover crop. The grain is fast growing and they deer will most likely mow it for you so the grain will last all summer or you can top it up with a fall interseeding.

I would suggest dragging the soil first, but then seed and do not drag after seeding.

Even if you have to spray with a hand or backpack sparyer, I would recommend a kill with glyphosate before planting. Whatever you can do to scratch up the soil is always a bonus even if it’s just using a landscape rake.

Grouse

Are you using the road for stand access? If so, I would not recommend planting anything at all. I’m actually going to spray all my access trails this year to limit the amount of human scent left behind and to make the walk-in more quiet.
You definitely don’t want to draw attraction to stand access trails.

I know it’s not an ideal situation for creating a high quality food plot. Maybe what could work is to plant rye and oats over most of the road and have smaller “honey holes” with clover and possibly some brassicas? Mowing isn’t an issue. We have a 50 inch rough cut mower.

Thanks guys. I have a better idea now than just tossing seed and hoping for the best. Any more input is appreciated.

Actually throwing some radish and turnips in there with the rye will help break up/loosen up the soil. With a couple years of that rotation you could possible have a great food plot. Rye, oats and buckwheat are all great soil builders and with the radish and turnips to break up the compacted soil, you would be in good shape.

I highly doubt you’ll need to mow at all. By planting those roads with high-nutrition crops, you’re basically throwing prime food on the ground where the deer have been eating nothing but sawdust and pine needles. My bet is the deer will take care of the mowing for you and your roads will look like golf greens.

It is almost impossible to go wrong with a rye/oats/clover mix. Simple is better for a first plot and the only thing that will prevent this mix from growing is a total lack of rain for weeks on end.

Grouse