Feeding the Hungry

This year I decided to plant some wildlife food plots to attract more wildlife and enhance photography and hunting opportunities. Work began several months ago with site selection and brush clearing, even soil testing.

In May, I chemically killed the sod.

I purchased a disk harrow and in June began trying to cut up the 60+ year old sod. It proved difficult. I resorted to burning off the remaining residue.

Adding weights (logs) to the disk, I was finally able to begin effectively tilling the soil.

Then, I broadcast buckwheat seed with a bag seeder and lightly disked it in. Six different areas were planted ranging in size from .04 acres to .4 acres. The buckwheat serves to help break up the sod further with its fibrous root system and its vigorous growth suppresses weed competition. And deer like it.

Note that the last two photos were taken with the trail camera.

In future years I hope to plant other types of food sources and perhaps ones that are perennial. Now, bring on the wildlife and get my camera ready!