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Post by smallchunk on Jan 6, 2018 9:35:47 GMT -6
I currently have a foodplot in a spot that i’m considering changing into a native grass field. Anybody try this? I’m in east central MN, sandy soil. Looking for my cover. Can I get enough cover with native grasses or would I be better off with a switchgrass of some sort. Thoughts? Just thinking of some ideas. The deer use my plots like crazy...but all after dark and i’m getting sick of that! Ha
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Post by batman on Jan 6, 2018 9:55:07 GMT -6
My bet is you won't get the growth you desire.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Jan 6, 2018 10:13:12 GMT -6
Cave in Rock Switchgrass I have some on average soil, thick and tall (in MN)  |
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Post by mnaaron on Jan 6, 2018 20:41:09 GMT -6
Does cave in the rock populate on its own? I am doing the same thing this spring taking 3 acres out of food plots and was told to go with sunburst because cave in the rock wouldn't produce seeds
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Post by Sandbur on Jan 7, 2018 6:43:20 GMT -6
How big is your area?
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Post by Sandbur on Jan 7, 2018 6:48:05 GMT -6
I am not impressed at all with the native grasses on light soils in our area. Some is switch some is a blend, all planted by the state.
There is better cover (for Deer) on these light soils. In a few wet years, the cover is tall enough for bedding in the fall. It is totally worthless for winter cover in my area during the times when it is really needed. Deep snow =worthless.
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Post by smallchunk on Jan 7, 2018 9:58:24 GMT -6
It's only .6 of an acre. Not a huge area. More or less a space filler. It's up against the neighbors crop field. Bwoods, how tall is that?
Side note- I watched an episode of management advantage where they planted some sort of switch. The stuff was like 7 feet tall and ended up housing a monster buck out of a little patch of it. Cool episode if you get a chance to google it and watch it.
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Post by Bwoods11 on Jan 7, 2018 10:13:15 GMT -6
My best field is 5 feet tall, I'm 6 foot and it is shoulder height. Some natural cedars are popping up in it now..
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Post by wklman on Jan 7, 2018 10:58:03 GMT -6
It's only .6 of an acre. Not a huge area. More or less a space filler. It's up against the neighbors crop field. Bwoods, how tall is that? Side note- I watched an episode of management advantage where they planted some sort of switch. The stuff was like 7 feet tall and ended up housing a monster buck out of a little patch of it. Cool episode if you get a chance to google it and watch it. would you be setting up your neighbors by placing bedding next to food? Do they hunt that line? |
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Post by smallchunk on Jan 7, 2018 11:21:43 GMT -6
They do place a blind in the middle of the field during the rifle season if it's picked beans...
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Post by MoBuckChaser on Jan 7, 2018 16:38:12 GMT -6
Art is right on. Switch don't work on sandy soil. Waste of money.
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Post by Sandbur on Jan 7, 2018 17:43:36 GMT -6
Art is right on. Switch don't work on sandy soil. Waste of money. Big blue stem can get some height during a wet year. Indian grass is ok on a wet site. |
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Post by Freeborn on Jan 7, 2018 20:42:21 GMT -6
Go out and read the spec sheet on planting Switchgrass and you will find it is a grass that should be planted in loam moist soils, not sandy dry soils. There are better choices. I have heard Sunburst does pretty well on sandy soil but I have not Seen it first hand.
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Post by smallchunk on Jan 7, 2018 20:48:02 GMT -6
I might have to message CrazyEd on the other site. I feel like for some reason he had good luck with sunburst in his sandy soil.
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Post by Sandbur on Jan 8, 2018 7:13:25 GMT -6
I might have to message CrazyEd on the other site. I feel like for some reason he had good luck with sunburst in his sandy soil. I believe the switch grass strains have different preferences based on climate and latitude. |
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