What I need is a recommendation for what to plant in a sandy environment with such excellent drainage its hard to keep anything watered. Everything I've tried in this spot either doesn't germinate, or doesn't grow without copious irrigation.

When you plant the squash and melons it helps if you bust them up when they are mature so the deer can eat the insides easier.

I have done this in the past with limited success but that was my own fault for not applying any lime or fertilizer, hopefully after learning from my mistakes I will have better luck this time around.

Anyone have a recommendation for maximum effectiveness in Alabama? I am not sure that we have near as much soil as red clay. We have to use lime just to break down the clay. What crops do best in this area?

i planted a small food plot (15 by 25') with clover, (from cabella's) you can probably do alfalfa too, they can grow in almost anything and anywheres, and they last all spring too fall, you can even plant a couple of smal corn rows in between so you have something in the winter too.

Thank you for putting this in the magazine. I havent been having much with the bait i put out for them. But this fall i'll try this food plot. I hope that this food plot works. I've heard from others that use food plots they say they work. I've asked them what is the best they said clover so thats what i'll use.

One way to get kids to do chores would be to take them hunting with you.

Lol after plowing my food plots, I take the kids out to have a (Rock Throwing Party), I'm sure pretty soon they will wise up though. When I'm unable to plan food plots, I hand spread some 13-13-13 on the area honey suckle, muskadines and even have had great luck with a jan dosing of my oak flats with 1 cup to 1/2 cup fertilzer every 5-7 feet around the drip line of each oaks canopy. I just spade a 5-7 in hole, then pour in the fertilzer, stomp it down and go to the next. This is supposed to make the acorns bigger and sweeter

Unlike large commercial 'hunting' ranches, which often double as cattle ranches in other regions, many of us "nor'easters" are beginning to sway toward micro-systems including substantial food-plots where available, supplemented by smaller plts interspersed where possible ~ including manipulation of habitat content (hide-holes, funnels, 'safe-areas', etc.). With minimal cooperation, small tracts can be turned into larger ecosystems providing abundance which impacts all species.

if you use salt early in the season the deer will come all year round because they know that it is there but you have to go out 3 to 4 times a week to put some out if you notice that you are getting a pile of salt stop and wate because the deer might not be in that area yet useing salt will help any one out because if the deer know that it is there they will go there every day to get more.also if you notice that it gos down at anicretible pace you might want to put a trail can on it to see if you are getting visted by more then gust deer i find that if you use sofener salt it gos into the grownd when it rains. there for it will stay for longer.if you put it on a well used trail the deer will come to it more often. also if there is a game trail near your stand put some ground garlic power in it they will smell it and will stay long enough for you to shoot. i suggest that you start puting salt out about a mounth befor deer secason starts.

Food plots are fun but seem to be a work in progress for me. I appreciate reading everyone elses comments in hopes of info that will help me

Ver good thinking!

I was surprised to read how little time they recommend seeding before you hunt. Realizing all climates are a little different, I would take a biological perennial seed mix and plant in spring so that it takes root and returns. I have gotten some great food plot tips and maybe more importantly food plot photographs and videos from other hunters who have uploaded their own pics to a site I use called www.shareyourhunt.com and it is really cool to see other hunters actual pictures to go along with their descriptions. Trail cameras over the plots really are cool to see as the plot matures....

i planted biologic no plow in a small area beside my house the deer hit it occasionally but not enough to say so. i need something to plant in swamp land .any suggestions?