Can I Plant in Paths through Pine Stands?
Filed under: Ask Grant, Food Plots
First off, I want to thank you for answering all my questions in the past. It’s nice to know someone well known actually cares about the regular person and doesn’t mind helping. My quick question is what can you plant in paths through pine stands besides clover at this stage of the year? It seems a little late to plant clover and I hate to wait until September to plant something. Thanks again, Kevin
Kevin,
Thanks for the kind words! I have found that most forage crops do well when planted in thinned pine stands. During droughts, crops usually do better in the thinned pine stands compared to areas that are fully exposed to the sun. This is because soil moisture evaporation occurs at a slower rate within the partial canopy as compared to areas with no protection from the sun throughout the day.
In fact, I’ve seen forage crops thrive within a thinned pine stand, while a total failure occurred just yards away in plots that were totally exposed to the sun. The crop in this image was limed, fertilized and planted on the same day. This is due to a huge difference in soil moisture.
I’ve produced great crops of Eagle Seed forage soybeans, and have had clients produce corn, buckwheat, etc., planted in thinned pines. I believe the biggest determinant of success is not what is planted, but that adequate lime and fertilizer are added. It seems some folks opt to skip that critical step when establishing forage crops in thinned pine stands.
Growing Deer together,
Grant
