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Think I planted to early

Posted By: spg

Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 02:46 AM


Planted food plots last Saturday because I had moisture but looking at the forecast it might choke out before it gets out the ground. Are is in George west live oak county.
Posted By: Navasot

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 03:02 AM

meh.... i planted two weeks ago the seed will grow dont worry.. wait to much longer and you risk stunted growth also... ill broadcast more seed later if needed
Posted By: swmays

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 02:19 PM

Nav - if your first planting germinates and you broadcast over it, will you drag/disk it in? Or will you leave it lay? I'm in the same situation, planted one right before a light rain and it popped. Planted another a few days later and I have nada. Forecasted rains didn't happen.
Posted By: EddieWalker

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 02:23 PM

I planted this last weekend because at the time I planted, the forecast was 80 for rain that evening. Nothing happened, not a single drop. Radar showed wave after waver of rain clouds passing over us, but I guess they took a break every time they where over my place. Now there is nothing in the forecast at all. This has happened before and the seed just sits there until it gets water. Nothing to do about it, just wait and hope it happens in time for the opener. If not, I still have corn and my mineral lick.
Posted By: redchevy

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 03:48 PM

We planted last weekend also. I think it should be alright if we get some rain.
Posted By: Western

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 05:11 PM

May have been a week or 2 early for that far South, iirc, STxranchman said he plants in 1st or 2nd week in October.

Seed should sit there just fine though, won't do any good worrying about it, when rain comes it should start off with minimal loss I would guess.
Posted By: Texas Dan

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 05:29 PM

Still waiting on good moisture myself.

Saw a report that stated the National Climate Forecast Center is predicting a wet October for the region.

Hope they're right.
Posted By: Texas Dan

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 05:30 PM

Originally Posted By: Western
Seed should sit there just fine though, won't do any good worrying about it, when rain comes it should start off with minimal loss I would guess.


I've always found the percentage of planted seeds that germinate begins to drop significantly after a week or two without rain.
Posted By: Western

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 06:10 PM

Originally Posted By: Texas Dan
Originally Posted By: Western
Seed should sit there just fine though, won't do any good worrying about it, when rain comes it should start off with minimal loss I would guess.


I've always found the percentage of planted seeds that germinate begins to drop significantly after a week or two without rain.


If it is on the surface, it is bird food. I disc under what I should have let grow 3 weeks ago, full thick carpet of oats and wheat from seed heads this Spring, they sat there all summer until I disc to thin weeds, 1st 1/2" rain and they sprouted. Some kinds of seed can stay viable for years.

I think seed planting depth determines germination more than anything other than water, seed should have plenty of time to "sit". Of course, most of us broadcast seed, which usually requires a higher seeding rate too.
Posted By: djs303

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/23/15 07:59 PM

I usually plant early to mid October due to problems with army worms when I planted earlier. They can destroy a good growing food plot practically overnight. But sometimes you have to get it going when you have the moisture in the ground or if its fixing to come out of the sky.
Posted By: spg

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/25/15 03:14 AM

That's the only reason I decided to plant because I had moisture but will need rain to sustain a good survival
Posted By: stxranchman

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/25/15 03:16 AM

I had issues with army worms up into November last year. I have plenty of ground moisture right now but still to hot. I will wait 10-14 days to plant and I am east of you about 40 miles.
Posted By: Dave Davidson

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/25/15 09:45 AM

I'm still waiting on rain.
Posted By: TX_LT230FH

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/25/15 02:55 PM

Planting next weekend. Too dry and hot still for me...
Posted By: Mr. T.

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/25/15 04:02 PM

I was going to plant near Eastland this weekend but with no rain at all in the forecast I think I will hold off one more week and plant the first weekend in October. Anyone see a problem with me doing that?
Posted By: Western

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/25/15 04:13 PM

Originally Posted By: Mr. T.
I was going to plant near Eastland this weekend but with no rain at all in the forecast I think I will hold off one more week and plant the first weekend in October. Anyone see a problem with me doing that?


I am kinda sorta parallel to you here in Wise county. I once ended up planting in the 2nd week of Oct after elk hunting in Colorado late. It came up just fine, just wasn't where I'd want it going into opening day. Figure 7-10 days for full germination if it gets the moisture to kick off. Once it gets going, seems to grow fast, especially if fertilized, but it is still thin'ish in 2-3 weeks.

My plot that year did good though, just behind what I normally like, so you should be just fine, if you don't get rain, it will sit there anyway.
Posted By: Navasot

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/26/15 01:59 PM

Originally Posted By: swmays
Nav - if your first planting germinates and you broadcast over it, will you drag/disk it in? Or will you leave it lay? I'm in the same situation, planted one right before a light rain and it popped. Planted another a few days later and I have nada. Forecasted rains didn't happen.



Just let it lay
Posted By: spg

Re: Think I planted to early - 09/28/15 03:42 AM

As much radar activity I seen over my place and only a 1hr drizzle
It's got to be because I planted it didn't rain
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