Lost one of my food plots 3 years in a row to seasonal flooding.

[tpr1921]

After losing one of my food plots 3 years in a row to seasonal flooding, I am going with a hopeful new approach:

I have already transplanted Native Indian Grass clumps to the higher end of the plot  - along with frost seeding 2 pounds of Cave in Rock Switchgrass in the same area.

I additionally purchased 4 pounds of  Fall Panicum (aka) Beaked Panic Grass.  It is native to the southeastern United States, where it occurs as far north as New Jersey and as far west as Kansas and Texas.

This species is a rhizomatous perennial grass with stems growing up to 1.3 meters tall. The leaves have erect blades up to half a meter tall. The grass produces an abundance of seed. The seed is curved like the beak of a bird, giving the plant its common name.

In the wild this plant grows in moist areas such as swampland and wet woodland habitat.

This grass provides a good graze for cattle and horses throughout most of the year. Deer also graze on the plant and the seed provides food for birds. The plant is also used for revegetation efforts on disturbed land such as mine spoils and roadsides. It is best grown in moist to wet soils.

My plans are to frost seed this too when the water level recedes.

Anyone have other ideas to share?

Thanks 

 

[Tarhunt]

The fields around my mom's place in VA have panic grass in them. They get cut once a year at the end of September. The deer are always in them. 

[tpr1921]

Just now, Tarhunt said:

The fields around my mom's place in VA have panic grass in them. They get cut once a year at the end of September. The deer are always in them. 

That is what I wanted to hear. Thanks!

[Batsto]

This weather has been horrible. It's always cloudy and wet. 

[megavites]

try some Alice clover, it doesn't mind getting wet. I've also had luck with Buckwheat and Deervetch.

[tpr1921]

39 minutes ago, megavites said:

try some Alice clover, it doesn't mind getting wet. I've also had luck with Buckwheat and Deervetch.

I will try the Deervetch. Thanks.

[Bucksnbows]

I realize you are looking to establish a food plot there, but if water nearby is an issue, that would be an excellent location for a shallow water wetland pond.  Deer prefer still water to flowing water so they can hear and predators approaching while with heads down drinking.  Even green water in summer that would get you or I sick.  Just food for thought.  Maybe do both if there's room.  It doesn't take but a very small pond to get deer to water.

[Buck154]

1 hour ago, Bucksnbows said:

I realize you are looking to establish a food plot there, but if water nearby is an issue, that would be an excellent location for a shallow water wetland pond.  Deer prefer still water to flowing water so they can hear and predators approaching while with heads down drinking.  Even green water in summer that would get you or I sick.  Just food for thought.  Maybe do both if there's room.  It doesn't take but a very small pond to get deer to water.

You just want to stock trout in it!!!! Don't you

[tcook8296]

Dug out this water hole and the deer were on it quick

[tpr1921]

4 hours ago, Bucksnbows said:

I realize you are looking to establish a food plot there, but if water nearby is an issue, that would be an excellent location for a shallow water wetland pond.  Deer prefer still water to flowing water so they can hear and predators approaching while with heads down drinking.  Even green water in summer that would get you or I sick.  Just food for thought.  Maybe do both if there's room.  It doesn't take but a very small pond to get deer to water.

I am lucky to have plenty of permanent water nearby but thanks for your advice.

I am looking to establish food for deer which will grow in this area of seasonal flooding and if I can't get food to grow - I will then plant additional habitat cover such as cattails.

[tcook8296]

I think you are going to have a hard time getting anything to grow there. I have planted cave in rock by drilling the 1st year, followed by frost seeding the 2nd year. 

It will seem disappointing at first if you even succeed getting it to grow, it takes at least 3 seasons to see any real results with year 4 really taking off. 

Deer get in the grass now and they disappear. 

I have deer come through the grass and never see them coming until they step out in front of me. 

You could always dig out a water hole and use the dirt on top of the remainder of the plot to build it a little higher. 

Edited February 26, 2019 by tcook8296

[tpr1921]

1 hour ago, tcook8296 said:

I think you are going to have a hard time getting anything to grow there. I have planted cave in rock by drilling the 1st year, followed by frost seeding the 2nd year. 

It will seem disappointing at first if you even succeed getting it to grow, it takes at least 3 seasons to see any real results with year 4 really taking off. 

Deer get in the grass now and they disappear. 

I have deer come through the grass and never see them coming until they step out in front of me. 

You could always dig out a water hole and use the dirt on top of the remainder of the plot to build it a little higher. 

Your Cave in Rock looks awesome. I'm only working with it in a confined 5 acre area of 23 acres in total. My intentions are to use it in small clusters -  mixed with shrubs. I've had limited success going into this my 3rd year planting it.

Edited February 26, 2019 by tpr1921
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