I mix these on my 4 acre destination plot most years with oats, rye grain, winter peas, medium red or crimson clover with ladino. I will frost seed more clover if I want to keep it next year as a clover plot.
I mow the rye when the seed heads are mature, and with decent moisture will have enough rye grain to keep it productive that second winter.
RIT, I experiment a lot! Have been since '95. My approaches are not always what you read. Please see my Micro Habitat Project thread. .75 acres and most people would not do soybeans as conventional wisdom says the deer will destroy them. We have good density, but going heavy on seed and fertilizer, and nature cooperating, along with some other tactics and one can achieve a nice stand on small plots at times. I try to document some projects as I go so guys know I am not making things up. I hope it encourages others to experiment and find out what their land is capable of.
I am not a fan of the big name brand products. I have a Tri-Star seed company 5 miles away and purchase all of my seed there. These are actually the only brassica type plant I use. I quit doing turnips, kale etc. because even after giving the deer several years to get used to them, they were ignored.
I know results vary, but habitat managers ought to use conventional wisdom and publications as a good starting point and then experiment to find out what works best for them, IMHO.
EDIT: When I plant this 4 acre plot multiple years in a row with the same blend, I rotate which half each year will have the winter bulbs and beets. The reason I like to use clover even though little will be available for consumption that first Fall, it makes the plot a great turkey attractant for the Spring and the legumes help add nitrogen for the Fall Planting which helps the oats and rye grain.
I only own 80 acres, 50 of which are currently farmed...30 is river bottom bordering a river along the back. The surrounding properties include working farms and woodlots. Deer numbers are good....but could always be better !
Sounds like a slice of heaven!
I try to have what surrounding properties don't. It might be winter food or cover, or both. Good luck!
If my goal was for winter bulbs I’d want them to be big and mature or plant something else.
I’ve heard of some deer not touching large bulbs or vice versa. I plant radishes every year and they arent eaten but use them for value to the soil. If deer aren’t eating something they have something better to eat.
Agreed, that's why I don't plant them any longer. I want the something better to eat to be on my land! I should have said I will use radish to help the soil, but do not plant them as an attractant. Thanks.
I plant them in the mix at that time because any earlier the clover and peas may not make it if there is insufficient moisture and the rye/oats seems to be more attractive and palatable when it is not too tall and fibrous.
That's my experience as well. Notice the date stamp on the picture above, two weeks after the season ended.
I try to keep food and cover available all year, not just the hunting season. By keeping deer on the property this way, I believe more deer will come and check it out, especially during the rut, being the social animals they are.
