ALSO noting that switchgrass is a great river bank stabilizer and if you have enough twists in the river it will be a paradise when bucks start locking down on does!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 most fun season I've ever had. Bucks really prefer to push their does into these pockets along a river because they're easier to guard
Jeff, tomorrow begins the implementation of the plan you developed for me last August. The bulk of the work tomorrow is mowing for the network of SG and diversity pockets on the eastern edge of my woods - about 2a. I’ll do 3 sprays over the summer and frost seed next spring. Great video to get me excited for tomorrow.
Check his previous videos, I'm pretty sure he's done them. Weed control is the biggest thing in those early years. Don't be afraid to only have a 2ft tall switchgrass planting at the end of year 2 if it means it's weed free (late mowing). It's a long term play
Thanks Alex ..the previous video and many more Greg 😊 If you check out my playlist for best wildlife and whitetail habitat there are quite a few! I have another one coming out soon too ..
Hey Jeff. I understand the pockets of diversity within a larger switch planting. But what about when planting it along a food plot? Is the only purpose of that is to screen our movements and or soften the edges a bit? Or will the deer also bed just outside of those type of plantings?
Hi Jeff! I just plant pure switch when screening. Sometimes the width of the screening allows me to plant pollinator alongside...for example a non food plot edge.
Morning Jeff. This is my first year with really established switch (3rd yr). What kind of maintenance do you do on the older, established stuff? Are you still spraying , or does it come up nicely ( and generally weed free) on its own?
Hi Josh! Generally by the 3rd year I may spray Simazine and I may mow in early May but that's about it! Unless some sever problem of a weed like Fox tail
@@alexpinnow6509 Thanks Alex. I can't buy simazine in NY, but Im thinking I'll hit it with 2,4 - d and gly well before switch germination and keep an eye on it for weeds.
@@joshny4766 is this new switch or year 3 switch? You don't want to hit with gly unless it's the year it was frost seeded. I haven't personally sprayed just 2, 4-D into established switch. Maybe mowing will be a better option for you if available
If I convert a field to bedding in this way, will I have to go in and tend the switchgrass every year to make sure it comes up well or only the first couple of years until the bedding area is established?
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 awesome thanks! I live in texas and down here, the habitat isn't quite like what you guys have further north. would love to hear what sort of veg you recommend for these diversity pockets that will work around here sometime.
Hi Henry! The wild prairie grasses fall down during the Fall, lay flat until the following mid spring and offer zero cover for the wildlife. In the end you can't have sustainable small game populations or cover for deer or any screening for hunting. If you like wildlife and whitetails, you wouldn't want to plant that "diversity".
Hey Jeff I have a food plot question. In one of your videos you say that ryegrass shouldn’t be in a seed blend but you have it in some of the seed blends you sell, why is that?
Hi Jordan...I have rye grass in our people traffic blend...which has to have rye grass in it because it's for foot and vehicle traffic. We also mention that several times in the description of the seed blend including that it is a non forage blend. And that's the only one 😉 You should check out the site and see 👍
Getting ready to start on food plot 2.0. How long should I wait to seed clover if I apply simizine for preemergent control it is the same as post emergent where you can seed and apply immediately? There is a good bit of dead weeds that are getting mowed as I spread manure that was dumped over winter and early spring by the landowner. Then I have asked him to disc the food plot to mix the manure in for us since the manure dumping is just something I have to deal with. So once he discs it I want to seed and get things moving but I feel I need to spray also just trying to figure out timing so FP 2.0 is much more successful
Hi Stephen! I only use Simazine for switchgrass. It says in the ground for 60- 90 days so I would not plant clover until August with brassica ..or oats and rye around labor day ..depending on where you live!
Hi Kurt! Burning switch is only for woody growth. You can easily maintain switch by mowing in May, Simazine before Spring green up, or Clethodim for stubborn weed problems. Even then, the need for any kind of maintenance only takes place every few years to several years, after the initial 1 to 2 years plan. I personally never see the need to burn. I have some of my SG that has been planted since 2014 that after the first year, I haven't touched it other than 1 spraying of 2-4D in year 5.
Switch grass- I weed controlled (simazine 3 sprayings gly 24d) in 2021 then seeded in the fall. Had a terrible catch in 2022, spent a lot of money on the switch grass as recommended from NWW and it was full of fox tail, but the switch grass was weak, like zero impressed and I did do all the work needed for 2022, which we mowed 3 times so had zero cover, will this stand take in 2023? I’ve sprayed simazine as well as just reseeded with switch from another company, also expensive haha but I’m noticing a lot of broad head weeds popping up the past week. I sprayed two ago I believe, will it kill those. I have some switch from last year but just super stressing it because I’m at $2000 on switch grass and it’s a ghost town out here. I appreciate if you see this and can help. I’m just lost. Not sure if I sure spray glyphosate or just leave it alone and mow a few times. Anyways thank you if read.
Hi Beau! Keep in mind the last spraying of weeds in the late summer of 2021 was really the only kill that would have been effective as weeds will automatically take off in the Spring regardless of the other 2021 sprayings. Then, the 2-4D spraying in the Spring of 2022 is critical....did you do that? Just curious hat's a step that can not be skipped. The 2nd spraying in the Spring of 2-4D and Gly is only if you didn't spray the late summer before which you did...but you at least need the 1st 2-4D/Gly spraying. However, I certainly would not give up regardless of what steps you took! The SG ALWAYS germinates and you took care of the mowing so you should be good. I had a MI client I was at 2 days ago that thought he may have none and he was full of switch...he was so happy! Try Quincloric in June (at least 3 leaves) on your 1 year old switch at 4.5 to 6 ounces per acre. Do not over spray. That rate will knock out your Foxtail easily 😊 I hope that all helps!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you for all the information. Ya I was by the book on stuff. But I won’t give up. Had a very very hot summer back to back so it’s been rough. So thank you for the information. Fingers crossed.
Im the student that agrees with the professor. To me it makes alot of sense.
Happy Easter to you and yours and all your listeners
Thanks Norm and Happy Easter!
ALSO noting that switchgrass is a great river bank stabilizer and if you have enough twists in the river it will be a paradise when bucks start locking down on does!
Such a great point Alex!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 most fun season I've ever had. Bucks really prefer to push their does into these pockets along a river because they're easier to guard
This one kinda finally connected dots for me, thanks Jeff!
Jeff, tomorrow begins the implementation of the plan you developed for me last August. The bulk of the work tomorrow is mowing for the network of SG and diversity pockets on the eastern edge of my woods - about 2a. I’ll do 3 sprays over the summer and frost seed next spring. Great video to get me excited for tomorrow.
Nice Marc...excited for you! Good luck...the cool thing is that it is a very enjoyable process. Have fun!
Switchgrass time! Lol, can't wait to get out there in plant! Sprayed last week, and going to plant this weekend! Thanks Jeff!
Awesome Isaac!
I use switchgrass more for screening then for bedding, but some of the deer on my small parcel do bed down in it. Thanks for posting this topic!
Hi Cris! It helps if you have good Regen right next to it...then they will definitely bed in it/beside it.
Keep being Great Jeff!! God Bless!!
Thank you Bob, I hope it all helps!
Great video Jeff, have a few acre field I will be doing this to!
Jeff, could you do a video on establishing switchgrass in year 1 and how to maintain in year 2,3, etc? Think that would be helpful to a lot of us.
Check his previous videos, I'm pretty sure he's done them. Weed control is the biggest thing in those early years. Don't be afraid to only have a 2ft tall switchgrass planting at the end of year 2 if it means it's weed free (late mowing). It's a long term play
Thanks Alex ..the previous video and many more Greg 😊 If you check out my playlist for best wildlife and whitetail habitat there are quite a few!
I have another one coming out soon too ..
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 always trying to help, I know you're very busy! Keep spreading high quality information for everyone!!
Great explanation thanks Jeff
Thank you!
Thanks Jeff👍🏻
You are very welcome!
Hey Jeff. I understand the pockets of diversity within a larger switch planting. But what about when planting it along a food plot? Is the only purpose of that is to screen our movements and or soften the edges a bit? Or will the deer also bed just outside of those type of plantings?
Hi Jeff! I just plant pure switch when screening. Sometimes the width of the screening allows me to plant pollinator alongside...for example a non food plot edge.
Jeff, thanks for all your excellent content. Would the native sumac here in the Missouri River breaks of South Dakota make for good browse?
Morning Jeff. This is my first year with really established switch (3rd yr). What kind of maintenance do you do on the older, established stuff? Are you still spraying , or does it come up nicely ( and generally weed free) on its own?
Hi Josh! Generally by the 3rd year I may spray Simazine and I may mow in early May but that's about it! Unless some sever problem of a weed like Fox tail
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks Jeff!
Exactly like Jeff said, I'll just be hitting with simazine and then letting it go!
@@alexpinnow6509 Thanks Alex. I can't buy simazine in NY, but Im thinking I'll hit it with 2,4 - d and gly well before switch germination and keep an eye on it for weeds.
@@joshny4766 is this new switch or year 3 switch? You don't want to hit with gly unless it's the year it was frost seeded. I haven't personally sprayed just 2, 4-D into established switch. Maybe mowing will be a better option for you if available
If I convert a field to bedding in this way, will I have to go in and tend the switchgrass every year to make sure it comes up well or only the first couple of years until the bedding area is established?
Hi Dusty ..just a little TLC the first year or two ..and then you let it go 👍
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 awesome thanks! I live in texas and down here, the habitat isn't quite like what you guys have further north. would love to hear what sort of veg you recommend for these diversity pockets that will work around here sometime.
Jeff, what’s the difference between planting wild prairie vs. switchgrass?! More diversity in wild prairie seed. Thanks for you advice
Hi Henry! The wild prairie grasses fall down during the Fall, lay flat until the following mid spring and offer zero cover for the wildlife. In the end you can't have sustainable small game populations or cover for deer or any screening for hunting. If you like wildlife and whitetails, you wouldn't want to plant that "diversity".
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank You 😊
Hey Jeff I have a food plot question. In one of your videos you say that ryegrass shouldn’t be in a seed blend but you have it in some of the seed blends you sell, why is that?
Hi Jordan...I have rye grass in our people traffic blend...which has to have rye grass in it because it's for foot and vehicle traffic. We also mention that several times in the description of the seed blend including that it is a non forage blend. And that's the only one 😉 You should check out the site and see 👍
Getting ready to start on food plot 2.0. How long should I wait to seed clover if I apply simizine for preemergent control it is the same as post emergent where you can seed and apply immediately? There is a good bit of dead weeds that are getting mowed as I spread manure that was dumped over winter and early spring by the landowner. Then I have asked him to disc the food plot to mix the manure in for us since the manure dumping is just something I have to deal with.
So once he discs it I want to seed and get things moving but I feel I need to spray also just trying to figure out timing so FP 2.0 is much more successful
Hi Stephen! I only use Simazine for switchgrass. It says in the ground for 60- 90 days so I would not plant clover until August with brassica ..or oats and rye around labor day ..depending on where you live!
If I want a 10 acre bedding area how many diversity pockets would you put in that 10 acres and how big would each pocket be?
In 10 acres ..10 to 15 pockets a 1/4 acre to 1/2 acre in size.
What do you do to maintain the switchgrass. You can't burn it with the diversity pockets.
Hi Kurt! Burning switch is only for woody growth. You can easily maintain switch by mowing in May, Simazine before Spring green up, or Clethodim for stubborn weed problems. Even then, the need for any kind of maintenance only takes place every few years to several years, after the initial 1 to 2 years plan. I personally never see the need to burn. I have some of my SG that has been planted since 2014 that after the first year, I haven't touched it other than 1 spraying of 2-4D in year 5.
What is the best switchgrass for Georgia????
Switch grass- I weed controlled (simazine 3 sprayings gly 24d) in 2021 then seeded in the fall. Had a terrible catch in 2022, spent a lot of money on the switch grass as recommended from NWW and it was full of fox tail, but the switch grass was weak, like zero impressed and I did do all the work needed for 2022, which we mowed 3 times so had zero cover, will this stand take in 2023? I’ve sprayed simazine as well as just reseeded with switch from another company, also expensive haha but I’m noticing a lot of broad head weeds popping up the past week. I sprayed two ago I believe, will it kill those. I have some switch from last year but just super stressing it because I’m at $2000 on switch grass and it’s a ghost town out here. I appreciate if you see this and can help. I’m just lost. Not sure if I sure spray glyphosate or just leave it alone and mow a few times. Anyways thank you if read.
Hi Beau! Keep in mind the last spraying of weeds in the late summer of 2021 was really the only kill that would have been effective as weeds will automatically take off in the Spring regardless of the other 2021 sprayings. Then, the 2-4D spraying in the Spring of 2022 is critical....did you do that? Just curious hat's a step that can not be skipped. The 2nd spraying in the Spring of 2-4D and Gly is only if you didn't spray the late summer before which you did...but you at least need the 1st 2-4D/Gly spraying.
However, I certainly would not give up regardless of what steps you took! The SG ALWAYS germinates and you took care of the mowing so you should be good. I had a MI client I was at 2 days ago that thought he may have none and he was full of switch...he was so happy!
Try Quincloric in June (at least 3 leaves) on your 1 year old switch at 4.5 to 6 ounces per acre. Do not over spray. That rate will knock out your Foxtail easily 😊
I hope that all helps!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you for all the information. Ya I was by the book on stuff. But I won’t give up. Had a very very hot summer back to back so it’s been rough. So thank you for the information. Fingers crossed.
First?!