Long day but plots are in

[deadeye]

The new disk worked great.  We sprayed a few weeks ago and today we got 5 plots planted. 

Before disking.


After disking


Equipment at rest


Starting next plot


After a single pass


The pump went out while I sprayed this plot.  I pushed through but it was a bad spray job.
I planted it anyway, so we will see what grows there.

[dakids]

Looks like the new disc did an awesome job.  What did you plant?

[deadeye]

The two largest plots (about an acre each) got a mixture of Turnip, Canola, and Radish.  The medium plot (about half acre) got some of the same but also some rye or winter wheat.  The small plot (1/4 acre) got rye and clover. I expect to keep this clover later.  We also mowed another plot (about an acre total) that has a substantial clover growth and over seeded it with 5 pounds of clover just because I had it.  Chased deer that were laying in the grass.     

[Cooperman]

Deadeye,
Question about your apple trees. What varieties do you plant and are they cold hardy? I would like to plant some more, I’m in the Park Rapids area. I just planted a “Frostbite” apple tree a couple weeks ago. This variety has been growing well up in Grand Rapids according to the U of M. Just looking for other varieties that would do well up north. If you don’t mind me asking, where are your trees located?
Thanks

[Rebel SS]

DaKids,  I'm kinda in the dark about the "food plots", and why it is done.  Down here in the bluff country,  we don't see that.  (Cuz we don't have open areas like that) Can ya explain for me why it's done?                                         

[deadeye]

Rebel SS, it gives us wanna be farmers something to do in the spring and summer.  Some people plant them to hunt over.  I rarely hunt by a food plot.  It's more of an attractant to keep deer in the area as well as adding to their diet.  I doubt the benefits (other than the satisfaction of doing something for the deer) out weight the costs.  It's fun to work some ground, plant a crop and watch it mature if the deer don't decimate it first.   

[deadeye]

Cooperman,
These are the varieties we had available this year.  I would have to look back at my old records to see what additional varieties we planted in previous years.  My intention was to make a map as I planted the trees and then have a record so I would know what does well and what grows poorly but I never kept it up.  I did put names on the trees I planted two years ago but the tags washed out after a year.  The trees are planted in central Minnesota, south east Morrison County and all are hardy for the area. 

Frostbite  - Halalred  -Gravenstein  - Norland   - State Fair  -Zestar  - Malus Dolgo Crab -

I took these pictures yesterday.  Most of the trees were planted two years ago but some were planted this year.

[dakids]

DaKids,  I'm kinda in the dark about the "food plots", and why it is done.  Down here in the bluff country,  we don't see that.  (Cuz we don't have open areas like that) Can ya explain for me why it's done?                                       

We planted 4 acres of corn.  Deer dont use or eat the corn until late Nov to early December.  Last year we had 23 deer eating in the corn field until Feb.   

The does and fawns ate the sunflowers and soybeans all summer.  Finished them off by middle of Sept.   They eat clover on all our trails all year long.   The small rye grain plots attract the does during the rifle season and we hope to intercept the bucks checking the does. The deer also dig through the snow to eat the green rye after the corn is gone.

Our big food plots were just old hay fields.  No clover, just grass.  We feel that we are helping the deer herd by trying to provide a high quality food year round.

[Rebel SS]

Thanks!  Don't the deer gnaw up yer apple trees?

[dakids]

Need to fence the apple trees.  Bear can do the most damage.

[deadeye]

Rebel SS,
All trees are fenced.  Waste of time, energy and money not to fence the apple trees.  Also put tubes around trunk to protect from mice and rabbits.

[deadeye]

Last Thursday I planted this plot in the woods.  A large elm tree had died and had dropped several large portions of it's crown.  Today I cut up the limbs and cleared the plot.  Also cut down two ash trees that had been left in the plot.  Now I can spray and mow this plot.  Now, if I could just remember what I planted in here.