from mature forest to a food plot... updated

[bilgerat]

Im Creating a food plot from scratch, Since I bought My little 13.3 acre patch of woods in Jasper county Ive been thinking of ways to improve the land for wild life. The land is covered in a mix of mature pine and hardwoods with a few large white oaks and a bunch of pin oaks. . Is is a big D shape and most of it slopes down from the curved dirt road . Theres about an acre that flattens out near the back property line thats mostly covered in junk trees and a few pines , Ive hired a guy to come and clear the acre of flat ground .He's is gonna start next week. As soon as he done I plan to get soil samples sent off and prepping it for planting. I thought Id share the project with Yall , Heres a aerial pic of My land with the area to be cleared in yellow. And a few Before picks of the area where the plot will be.

 

[b8hickman]

Looks like there will be a good pinch point on the north side of the food plot where deer will cross the road after the food plot is made. I would definitely have a stand there.

 

[bilgerat]

the aerial pic is a few years old, all the pines on the other property across the line from the food plot were cut 2 years ago. , Its been sprayed and replanted with pines and grown into a thick weedy mess, I added the deer trails in blue to the pic

 

[bilgerat]

The work has finally begun

 

[bilgerat]

Making progress

 

[NCHillbilly]

I cleared and made me a small plot on my small wooded property over about a three-year period. I finally got it planted last year, and the deer and turkeys tore it up.

 

[b8hickman]

Looking good

 

[bilgerat]

Almost there , he gonna smoothie it out and clean up tomorrow morn , I went a little bigger since I had the tractor man here , it’s about 1.5 acres .

 

[ucfireman]

Cost for the dozer work?
What did yall do with the trees? Burn pile or just leave them?
Looks really good.

 

[bilgerat]

Cost for the dozer work?
What did yall do with the trees? Burn pile or just leave them?
Looks really good.

4 k for the dozer man and he pushed all the trees into 3 big piles around the edge , will burn later , saved a lot of the water oaks for firewood

 

[ucfireman]

Sounds like a pretty good deal.
I have done the mulcher before but never a dozer. I would like a dozer to make a real food plot instead of a treed opening. Its a PIA to plant mine with the trees and then cutting is a night mare.
I could clean it up a little at a time (that was the plan) but gezz I'm lazy.
But the deer do like it.

 

[treemanjohn]

Those water oaks are excellent deer food. Did yall survey the path of the sun during growing season?

 

[bilgerat]

Those water oaks are excellent deer food. Did yall survey the path of the sun during growing season?

no but. it’s the only flat ground on my place and will get plenty of sun

 

[NWS]

Turkeys are gonna like that spot.

 

[antharper]

Looking good , some good looking dirt also

 

[bilgerat]

Yep , it good brown dirt down 4+ feet, Now I gotta decide what to plant and where to get seed ,thinking about iron n clay peas and lab lab or another type bean . Where s the best place to get seed in north or central Ga?

 

[sportsman94]

Yep , it good brown dirt down 4+ feet, Now I gotta decide what to plant and where to get seed ,thinking about iron n clay peas and lab lab or another type bean . Where s the best place to get seed in north or central Ga?

Mintons lawn and garden in Macon depending on where you are

 

[tucker80]

Yep , it good brown dirt down 4+ feet, Now I gotta decide what to plant and where to get seed ,thinking about iron n clay peas and lab lab or another type bean . Where s the best place to get seed in north or central Ga?

Athens Seed in Watkinsville

 

[bilgerat]

Athens Seed in Watkinsville

Thanks, picked up some of their summer food plot blend, now I hope its dry enough to plant this weekend, got a good soaker yesterday and more in the forecast

 

[antharper]

I’d recommend getting a soil sample as you’ll probably need to pour the lime to it . I usually don’t but I pour the lime and fertilizer to mine but I’m sure I’d probably save money getting a soil sample .