okay on 1/2-1 acre plot what is a good thing to plant that will withstand through winter? Any and all suggestions welcomed including fertilizer, and helpful hints. This will be my first year planting my own field and I want it to be a winner! Thanks for all yall's help...

Oats, Rye or Wheat, Winter Peas and Crimson Clover are always a winner if you are planting in the next week or two.
13-13-13 should work on initial planting if soil is decent.
Put some more out around December depending on what the growth shows. You may need more of one that the other.
Asking some of the farmers what they have problems with the deer eating in the gardens could also help you pick a family of seed to plant, turnips or peas and etc. Good luck.

Thanks roscopeecotrane that's great info! I am planning on planting this Wed or Thurs so that should put me right on track for all those choices.

If you plant rye do not plant rye grass, plant rye grain like wrens abruzzi, buck forage oats are supposed to be awesome, we planted a lot of that this year. I always throw in some kind of brassica whether it is turnips, rape, or kale. If you plant brassicas then you better have you butt sitting at that food plot the day after the first frost.

Wildlife Management Solutions (WMS) Deer Magnet is a very good product, blended by Alabama folks. I add 25 lbs of Coker 227 oats for each 50 lbs of Deer Magnet.

http://www.productsforwildlifemanagement.com/files/2011/09/2011-08-05_08-15-02_508.jpg?w=630&a=t

I'm trying some deer magnet this year. I'm gonna try top sowing turnips with it. Why the added oats?

Deer Magnet's main ingredient is Triticale, good stuff, I like oats, it just adds a good cereal grain. MOF, Daniel one of the owners told me that's what they do on their own property. He told me Coker 227s were the most cold tolerant regular oat. Makes a mighty fine plot.

I two am also going with the deer magnet and oats this year, it's a little steep per bag, it's supposed to be 1 bag per acre

Not to derail too much, but just gotta ask about your handle...are there two of you? If so, welcome aboard ya'll.

The best results I've found for the my area for the lowest cost is Wheat, Oats, and Abruzzie Rye broad cast at about 75 lbs per acre with about 5 lbs per acre of AU Robbins or arrow leaf clover broad cast on top (after everything else is planted). I already have a decent clover crop that comes back every year, so it doesn't take much to keep it going.

Dixie Crimson clover grows very well in our sandy soil and makes a good looking plot,but I don't think the deer like it very much. They keep these other two varieties ate down.

Also, If you're planting a location that has not been planted before or one that has not been limed in the last couple of years you may want to do some research on liquid lime. It is much faster reacting that standard lime, which will be helpful this late in the year. Liming may seem like it costs too much and a waste at first, but it will make or break how well deer will use the plot, regardless of what you plant.

I represent all the Gals that hunt. So there are many of us.
Wow! The response to my post has been great and it's good to see everyone pitching in and giving great advice.
It's gonna be a great season!

Scrubbuck, where are you getting that AU Robbins clover. I have been trying to get that and GA Bulldog for two years and cannot find either.

Do a soil test first! There are kits you buy and you need to take samples of several areas of your plot. Send them to Auburn and when you get results back, follow the recommendations to get your soil at the proper pH.

For planting, you can get real creative or stay basic. I've used a wheat/oats mixture for years and I see and kill deer all season long. Clover is awesome but pretty expensive.

Good luck and post up what y'all kill!

Dr. B

I've not found any AU Robbin in 3 years. That's when I converted to arrow leaf. The deer kept it mowed down when I did plant it though.