Have been reading a lot about the benefits of buckwheat as a green manure crop. It will grow on newly cleared fields and requires little or no fertilization. I just planted 50 lbs of it and around late August, will till it under. That is when it decomposes and becomes beneficial to the soil. Then, wait a couple weeks and till it again and plant some kind of winter forage crop for the deer. Maybe rye, wheat and brassica. I'm very new to food plots, but it would seem you have to have a lot of farming know how.

Plinker

We planted buckwheat on our food plots in GA this spring not only for the food value, but also as "green manure". It's doing very well on the established plots and is doing surprisingly ok in an area that was not prepped with lime and fertilizer (we had extra seed...). Planning on doing the same thing as you in August; till, retill, then plant brassicas, grain and clovers this fall.

A very high percentage of "farming know how" is knowing what your soil needs. Absolutely get a soil test done, otherwise you're throwing money away in seed, fertilaizer, fuel and labor. Your county cooperative/extension service or local seed/farming supply store can help with the particulars on doing the soil test.
Our soil is acidic, so lime is added by the ton/acre. We get the dolomitic type for the additional mineral content. It will take some time for the lime to change the soil ph, so plan ahead. Potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are added per the test results based upon what we want to grow.

Do your local regulations permit burning? If so, it's a great way to get nutrients back into the soil inexpensively, especially potash (potassium). Start a brushpile in the middle of your food plot, burn once/twice a year, then spread and till it in. You'll be surprised how it helps, especially in sandy areas.
Good luck,
Sako

Doing the same here in southern WV. We added some variety to with a strip of soy beans, lespedeza, gamebird mix, and two plots of lab lab. My brother in law will have another plot of buckwheat in by end of this week if the bearing housing comes in for the disc harrow. Things are greening up, but I'm not sure the soy beans will make it through the dry weather. We plan to knock the 1st patch of buckwheat down in late July (doves & turkey) and have it and the beans completely tilled in by mid August in preparation for clover, chicory, and cereal grains. Will also put in a 1 acre plot of Green Patch Plus. The deer are looking healthy and a few small bucks are still hanging around catching hell from the old momma does.

quote:

Absolutely get a soil test done, otherwise you're throwing money away in seed, fertilaizer, fuel and labor. Your county cooperative/extension service or local seed/farming supply store can help with the particulars on doing the soil test.

The county extension agent said all the soil is acidic in this area. I got the soil test kit but then never took the sample.... But we spread a ton and a half of ag lime on the field anyway. Before tilling in the buckwheat, will get another two tons and put on there. The ag lime is only 16.00 a ton and you put it in back of pick up and shovel it out. Not the easy way but it doesn't take that long and it is lot cheaper than buying by the bag.

We burned several piles of brush and huge logs. The ashes got tilled over, but not spread out. Didn't realize they were beneficial, but that's good to know. Thanks.

Plinker

quote:

Originally posted by Quarter Round:
Doing the same here in southern WV. We added some variety to with a strip of soy beans, lespedeza, gamebird mix, and two plots of lab lab. My brother in law will have another plot of buckwheat in by end of this week if the bearing housing comes in for the disc harrow. Things are greening up, but I'm not sure the soy beans will make it through the dry weather. We plan to knock the 1st patch of buckwheat down in late July (doves & turkey) and have it and the beans completely tilled in by mid August in preparation for clover, chicory, and cereal grains. Will also put in a 1 acre plot of Green Patch Plus. The deer are looking healthy and a few small bucks are still hanging around catching hell from the old momma does.

I think it's sort of fun to plant with the wildlife in mind. In 1964, Applachian author Jesse Stewart warned that many of our game birds and animals faced extinction with the death of the small farm. But amazingly, we have actually seen an increase, expecially in the deer population. That's probably due to game law enforcement, but individual game management also deserves a lot of credit. Your gamebird mix is a great idea for the growse and it sounds like your deer herd is going to be eating good. I still remember you gave me good information several months ago. Thanks!

Plinker

Shoveling lime off the back of a pickup truck is dedication, but your efforts with lime will have the greatest impact on your plots.

The deer came through the winter in good shape and should produce a healthy herd of fawns. Seeing only yearling bucks, but some have forked antlers, a big improvement over all spikes in previous years.

Glad that I could steer you toward good information.

Good luck on your plots and let us know how it goes. Get the soil test done if you can-you might not need the whole two tons of lime or you might need more along with fertilizer. I've not had the chance to check my plots in a month due to the job. Will get there 4th of July weekend, though.
Sako

Sent the soil test in, but haven't heard back from it yet. We got rain and that buckwheat took off like gangbusters! The whole field is lush green and covered with white flowers. The flowers are covered with butterflies and bees. Mostly bees. Buckwheat not a very fitting name because the deer haven't even been in it. Later on, i'll plant something for them.



Plinker

Buckwheat makes for some fantastic honey, Plinker! Probably too late for this season, but!! derf

Nope, i'll never "bee" a beekeeper. Bees scare me more than spiders and snakes.

Plinker

quote:

Originally posted by Plinker603:
Buckwheat not a very fitting name because the deer haven't even been in it. Later on, i'll plant something for them.



Plinker

They should start using it soon after the heavy bloom and seed appears. Deer are using mine and expect most of it to be gone by mid August or just in time to convert the plot to clover, brassicas, and cereal grains.

The deer were starting to eat the buckwheat but we plowed it under because i read if you let it go to seed it will become a nusiance weed. I mainly planted it as a green manure crop. Going to plant some Hammond Farms fall/winter mix on it prior the next forecast rain.

Pliniker

I've planted it for several years and never had a nusiance problem with it. I think we are to far north. That being said I cut my down a couple of weeks ago and tilled it in yesterday to rotate this plot to brassicas, grains, and clovers this week.