Washington food plot growers

[CurlewLLC]

Hi, I am new to this forum and a food plot grower for deer and elk. I enjoy growing our plot almost as much as hunting, well almost. I would like to make contact with other plot growers to share ideas and to learn about your experiences growing your plots. Things like, where you grow, how long have you been growing, what you have tried and currently growing etc. Maybe we can inspire others to do the same.

What began as an experiment seven years ago has now become a good crop of purple top turnips, depending on the amount of rainfall. The plot is a fenced in, 1/2 acre plot located on an eighty acer forested  parcel bordering the Colville National forest in Ferry county. The elevation is 3100 ft. with an average rainfall  of 14 inches. The plot has to be fenced because Ferry county is open range. To cost prohibitive to fence the whole eighty.

I don't live on the eastside year round and I am not able to get there as often as I would like. Maybe five, six times a year a couple weeks at a time. So, I am going to plant a drought tolerant alfalfa (Ladak ll) and Sainfoin this fall. They are both legumes and I know they will grow in this area. I planted them a few years back
in a mix with several other seed types. I am not sure if I am going to plant them as a stand alone or as mix. What are your opinions ? I will post pic's when I have figured out how to do that.

[Special T]

There are a couple other threads on here with that topic. Search Food Plot in the upper RH corner. Some good info. 

[CougHunter]

I've been wanting to plant a plot for several years.

What is your general plan for the alfalfa? Are you going to fertilize it or plan to use pesticides? What will you do with the 1/2 acre of alfalfa after the season? Have you ever lost a crop to drought with the infrequent irrigation?

[Sandberm]

For as far north as you are and your elevation I would think you better get that alfalfa in the ground as soon as possible.

[CurlewLLC]

I am going to let the alfalfa continue to grow as long as it does well. alfalfa will not reseed itself naturally. I could get 15 years out of both seeds. I will fertilize and use pesticides as need. The last two years the turnips are toast by late July due to lack of rainfall.

[greenhead_killer]

tagging this. ive got 40 acres west of you around 4500 feet and have been thinking on doing this same thing. would be a fun experience to get started. always fun to see critters year round too if you get it right

[nwwanderer]

A mix of several species of clover might be a better fit than the alfalfa, will not last as long, they hit it hard.  They sure eat alfalfa but many times are eating the weeds between the alfalfa plants and only eat it when things get tough.  What ever you decide, check with Gingersnap seed for a price quote.  Bill usually has it priced right and will find things others will not even know about.  Might add a little selenium to your fertilizer program too, drastically deficient here in the PNW.

[Sandberm]

I was thinking about the winter hardiness rating of the Ladak II alfalfa and I see its rated a 2, which is very winterhardy. Good choice.

[CurlewLLC]

My food plot with turnips 

[Oh Mah]

  The wildlife think you are doing it right.

[bearpaw]

I think alfalfa and sainfoin are good choices for dry land plots. I would plant half the area with each and then compare how each does over time. You might also try some grains like oats, wheat, rye, triticale, or barley. Another plant that they say does well in a dryer climate is chicory. Food plotting is very addicting!

[Wacenturion]

Chicory

[Ghost Hunter]

Tagging.  Have a small patch of alfalfa and oats currently.

[Special T]

There are lots of videos on Swale Permaculture. If you did one improvement on your hunting cabin site it would be building a swale to hold more water on your grow site. Gonna need a tractor, excavator or dozer but it is probably the best investment for a low tech low imput way of improving a food plot.

[Special T]

https://www.amazon.com/Rainwater-Harvesting-Drylands-Beyond-2nd/dp/0977246434/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1537276206&sr=8-1&keywords=rainwater+harvesting+for+drylands+volume+1&linkCode=sl1&tag=rawtilwhe-20&linkId=eca7072a0c44e4ea299d158605be72e3&language=en_US


Another reference for dry land water utilization.

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