GOT LIME? (aka Make Food Plots Great Again)
- Thread starter lakngolf
- Start date
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Many years ago I ran soil tests on all my plots and got the usual “Need Lots of Lime”. So each year when y’all were setting priorities and listing your goals for the year, I listed “Gonna Lime the Plots”. But it just never happened, until now.
The biggest issue was method of application. (1) Feed Supply folks just did not want to put their truck in anyone’s “food plot”, primarily because they read that as REMOTE and WET. I explained to them that these were the same plots they limed and fertilized for my Dad when it was a farm and pasture, but no luck. (2) The soil test called for at least 2 tons per acre and that was years ago, so I did not like the idea of buying pallet after pallet of bag lime from Tractor Supply. And how to spread that as well.
So I decided on delivery of a bulk load of Ag Lime and rent a spreader from Feed Supply. That was two weeks ago, delivery set, and they do not show up. Phone call and they say we’ll get to it when we can. Realizing I was small fry and LOW on their list I sought other solutions. Found a guy to deliver a load at $22 per ton (but a LOAD = 26 plus tons, a lot more than I needed but still cheaper than bag purchase of even half that much. We set up delivery for last Monday March 5.
I was able to borrow a spreader from a friend, which turned out to be a little large for my 30hp tractor.
Loading was a bit of an issue but things just have to be worked out. The spreader was so tall that I had to build a ramp for the tractor. Also, I only filled the spreader about 1/3 full because “The Whole Nine Yards” would have manhandled my little tractor.
The biggest issue was method of application. (1) Feed Supply folks just did not want to put their truck in anyone’s “food plot”, primarily because they read that as REMOTE and WET. I explained to them that these were the same plots they limed and fertilized for my Dad when it was a farm and pasture, but no luck. (2) The soil test called for at least 2 tons per acre and that was years ago, so I did not like the idea of buying pallet after pallet of bag lime from Tractor Supply. And how to spread that as well.
So I decided on delivery of a bulk load of Ag Lime and rent a spreader from Feed Supply. That was two weeks ago, delivery set, and they do not show up. Phone call and they say we’ll get to it when we can. Realizing I was small fry and LOW on their list I sought other solutions. Found a guy to deliver a load at $22 per ton (but a LOAD = 26 plus tons, a lot more than I needed but still cheaper than bag purchase of even half that much. We set up delivery for last Monday March 5.
I was able to borrow a spreader from a friend, which turned out to be a little large for my 30hp tractor.
Loading was a bit of an issue but things just have to be worked out. The spreader was so tall that I had to build a ramp for the tractor. Also, I only filled the spreader about 1/3 full because “The Whole Nine Yards” would have manhandled my little tractor.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Things went well Monday afternoon. I spread 7 “loads” but the weatherman was not cooperative with the plan and brought in ¾ inch of rain on Monday night. I knew the rain was forecasted and covered the lime overnight, anticipating that Tuesday would be a lost day and I would pick back up on Wednesday.
But Tuesday turned into a quite productive day. I decided to run the disc to work the lime into the soil. The overnight rain helped with this process.
Yes, that is real clover that I ran the disc over. Maybe it will recover.
Some areas were are too remote and dangerous for the big spreader. No problem, just load up the FEL bucket
Drive fast and wiggle the joy stick to drop the lime
If you get too much in one spot just use the bucket, go backwards and smooth it out
But Tuesday turned into a quite productive day. I decided to run the disc to work the lime into the soil. The overnight rain helped with this process.
Yes, that is real clover that I ran the disc over. Maybe it will recover.
Some areas were are too remote and dangerous for the big spreader. No problem, just load up the FEL bucket
Drive fast and wiggle the joy stick to drop the lime
If you get too much in one spot just use the bucket, go backwards and smooth it out
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
And this is for dogghr and Native Hunter. I did notice some beauty during the process, other than the beauty of getting these plots limed. To me Yellow is the color of Spring. The Reds and the Blues normally get all the attention, but it is Yellow that shows up first! Carolina Jasmine, I think.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
It was a little LARGE. But I knew that going in and used Old Man Slow Go method. Only pulled the tractor a time or two up hills or in some soft soil. Man I am glad to have those fields limed. I felt like especially the Bull Pen Boomerang plot had lost its luster!
TheOldOak
Active Member
That's impressive! I too think tilling the clover will make it pop. That looks like ideal size tractor, is that Kiote 30 HP and how do you like it? I've been looking for a used Kubota with about 30HP for a while, they don't get much cheaper even when they are used. I've been spreading lime bags, maybe 10-15 a year and i'm ready to go big as the back ain't what it use to be!
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Yes Kioti 30hp. It is a 2006 version that I bought used with 450 or so hours. Has been a workhorse for me, small enough that it will stall before breaking attachments! I have used it a bunch
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
I will not plan anything for a while. Just hope the lime does it sting before the fall planting
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Today I was able to get several FEL bucket loads to some remote plots. For this one I had to clear a path thru the mud
Word to the wise on smoothing out the too much lime drops by lowering the bucket and going backwards. Be sure you know what is behind you; a big oak tree will ABRUPTLY stop a little tractor!
Word to the wise on smoothing out the too much lime drops by lowering the bucket and going backwards. Be sure you know what is behind you; a big oak tree will ABRUPTLY stop a little tractor!
FL Plotter
Well-Known Member
I've done the same thing. This year, I couldn't coordinate with anyone to drag the tractor out to pull the buggy, so I towed the buggy 55 miles with 4T of lime and then took it through the woods to the plot and spread with my truck! Narrow culvert and S-turn to get to the plot. #pucker.
The things we do for deer! And this ain't even my land....
The things we do for deer! And this ain't even my land....
Elkaddict
Well-Known Member
Our version of spring today. 8 months of the year I wouldn’t trade our weather for anything..... The other 4 months reminds me why some folks head south for the winter.And this is for dogghr and Native Hunter. I did notice some beauty during the process, other than the beauty of getting these plots limed. To me Yellow is the color of Spring. The Reds and the Blues normally get all the attention, but it is Yellow that shows up first! Carolina Jasmine, I think.
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
We've had two or three short spurts of REAL WINTER this year. I told someone to remind me of that when I was complaining this summer of hot weather. If it's COLD I shiver in layers of clothes. If it's HOT then I can "go jump in a lake"
lakngolf
Well-Known Member
Man, that's impressive! I pulled the empty spreader with my truck but no way I could have handled 4 tons
FL Plotter
Well-Known Member
My buddy made the same trip with his older Tundra built before they were "full sized"....he said the buggy was throwing him around some. My 1/2 ton Sierra is rated for 12,500 and I run air bags in the back to eliminate sag. It wasn't a bad tow, but there are no brakes, so you have to plan your stops and not tailgate. Usually we get the 10T spreader truck, but it always seems to be broke or being used for fertilizer....the buggy is more reliable for our schedule. I've got to sample this spring and see where we are at in all our plot. We were holding 6.5pH in most our plots.
