Winter wheat????

[ToddW]

I have 2 food plots for deer that equal about 3/4 acre total right now.
Was a very wet year here, so I could not get the cub out to the high ground where my plots are.

I mowed the growth from last years plot (rye grass re-seeded) I used a spike tooth drag with my 6 wheel ATV to rough up the soil in August. I planted all turnip. It came in great, but the deer mowed it all down WAYYYY before they were supposed to even like it!!!

now it's just rye grass that they are grazing on.
I'm thinking about trying winter wheat, I hear it's good for adding nitrogen to soil, but wanted to confirm that (i thought peas or beans added nitrogen, but they would most certainly never grow out there because they would be eaten immediately).

If it's no-till wheat, how would /should I plant it?
Thanks

[Don McCombs]

Todd,

How thick is your stand of rye? If it's not too thick, I would just overseed with the wheat. May be a little late in your location for good germination, though.

[ToddW]

It's about 2-3 inches high, not as thick as a really lush lawn, some bare spots.
Maybe overseeding won't hurt anything just to try it.

I've seen it being planted on large farms in the last 2 weeks around here.

Just broadcast over the ground for me? I have no grain drill, and cub getting out there this year is a no go due to mud on areas all across my land from approach from road.
Maybe next year, now I have a loader, I can get loads of bark chips dumper near road, plan is to use loader to disperse wood chips.
DNR has no issue with chips because they are not fill the effects a lowland flood plain..
Next Summer then I can get back to my plots with a cub, and start rototilling!!

[OliverFarmall]

Winter Wheat will NOT add nitrogen to your soil. In fact it's usually recommended to top dress winetr wheat with nitrogen at "green up" stage. 15 pounds of Nitrogen is recommended on average and should be broadcast before planting.
Not sure about your planting question... if you have access to the no till drill use it. You need to get rid of the rye as best you can first. If you are saying you don't have the no till drill.... use your harrow to really rough up the ground and you can broadcast winter wheat...ideally seeds should be 1.5 to inches deep...,. so harrow the heck out of it first you want a smooth bed. Broadcast your seed and then go over it again with the harrow or better yet a cultipacker if you have one. Seed rate would be about 90 pounds an acre where I live if I were seeding it down ... if I was broadcasting it I'd up that rate.
Legumes add nitrogen to the soil...if you are looking at planting a fall legume look at crown vetch... or what I'd do is plant the winter wheat, harvest it in the spring, flip it and plant buckwheat, the deer will love your buckwheat ( I hate the deer) and it will add to your soil the most bang for your buck.

[ToddW]

My question was if winter wheat will improve the soil for other crops, like turnip, next year.
Guess that has been answered.


The turnips I planted this year did not last past 1 inch high

I used my cub to establish plots for a friends land. First year food plot, and his turnips look great . Size of large apples already
I have no sign of turnips now

[Boss Hog]

sow som black eyed peas, they may still come up and better for the land and deer. just buy a few packs from food lyon or wally world, not a lot of cost involved. soak the seads before broadcasting

[KETCHAM]

I planted winter wheat and using it for a couple of reasons.Its coming along real nice.I had a neighbor that has a grain drill and planted it for very low cost.He was doing his fields also.I'm finding that timing is everything.Kevin Does not hurt to help out at his place once in a while either.

[DirtDoc]

Todd: Seems like you are pretty wet at the moment. If your plot is muddy, winter wheat wouldn't do to well. Generally likes dry ground and packed in tight. Another option would be to wait until March and sow some clover down. Just broadcast on top of the ground and the last freezing and thawing will plant it for you. Will also make a great green manure crop and add nitrogen so you can plant your turnips next fall. If you don't have a soil test, I'd highly recommend it so you know what your fertility level is on the patch. Hairy vetch is also a great cover crop. Good luck..Greg