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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lycanthrope" data-source="post: 473904" data-attributes="member: 562">Optimized Food Plot and Rub Row Design for Your Menoken, ND PropertyBased on your description, the open area is approximately 140 yards long north-south (along the yellow line in the image). I'll assume the field is about 120-150 yards wide east-west (common for such parcels near Menoken; if it's different, scale accordingly). This allows for 4-5 rub rows spaced 30 yards apart, creating 30-yard-wide lanes for food plots—perfect for bow shots (effective range 20-40 yards) while keeping deer funneled close. Rows run north-south for wind protection and deer movement patterns in ND's prairies.The design prioritizes:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Buck rubs: High-preference species like willows (top rubs + bees) and hybrid poplars (fast growth for rubs/cover).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Bee support: Early pollen from willows/poplars (catkins March-May).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Manageability: All species coppice well—cut back every 2-3 years (not annually) with your 60" brush hog on 40hp tractor. They'll regrow 6-12 ft/year, staying under 15-20 ft tall with periodic cuts.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Seclusion: Fastest-growing hybrid poplars on the road-side row for a quick screen (10-15 ft in 1-2 years).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Food plots: Annual till/replant in lanes—mix corn/beets for user preference, plus ND-proven attractants like brassicas (radish/turnip for fall draw) and cereal rye (winter hardy). Small, irregular shapes (e.g., V or L) per lane for bowhunting funnels.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Propagation: Easy hardwood cuttings (free/local sources).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">ND adaptation: All zone 3-4 hardy; plant in moist clay/loam (common in Menoken). Current date (Dec 2025) means collect cuttings now (dormant season) for spring planting.</li> </ul>Key Species Choices<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Road-side row: Hybrid poplars (e.g., 'Northwest' or 'Assiniboine')—fastest growers (10-15 ft/year), provide seclusion, moderate rubs, early pollen. Yes, better than willows for initial height/screen.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Inner rows: Pussy willow (Salix discolor) and peachleaf willow (Salix amygdaloides)—top for rubs/bees, 6-12 ft regrowth. Mix in quaking aspen suckers for variety/rubs.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Why not cherries? Moderate rubs but slower regrowth after cuts; stick to these for your goals.</li> </ul>Layout Diagram (Text-Based Representation)Imagine the field as a rectangle (140 yards N-S x 120 yards E-W), road on the east side (adjust if wrong—image suggests road at bottom/south, but line is central). Rows parallel to yellow line, spaced 30 yards apart. Food plots in 30-yard lanes, tilled annually.[North]|   |  Row 4 (Inner): Pussy Willow + Peachleaf Willow mix (rubs/bees focus)   | 30 yd lane: Food Plot D - Brassicas + Rye (V-shape funnel to west edge)   |   |  Row 3: Peachleaf Willow + Quaking Aspen mix (high rubs, bee pollen)   |30 yd lane: Food Plot C - Beets + Corn (L-shape for bow stand on south end)   |   |  Row 2: Pussy Willow + Hybrid Poplar mix (balanced growth/rubs)   |30 yd lane: Food Plot B - Corn + Brassicas (T-shape to draw from north)   |   |  Row 1 (Road-side/East): Hybrid Poplar ('Northwest') (fast screen/cover)   |30 yd lane: Food Plot A - Beets + Rye (U-shape near road for edge cover)   |[Road/East] ------------------ [West/Open Field]   |[South] (Yellow line runs center N-S)<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Scale: Each row ~140 yards long. Plant 3-5 ft spacing within rows (clusters of 5-10 for thickets).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Total rows: 4 (scalable; add/subtract based on width).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Food plot shapes: Use V/L/T/U per lane (from Realtree/Mossy Oak bowhunting guides)—funnels deer into kill zones. Each plot ~0.25-0.5 acres (30x140 yards lane = ~1 acre; plant 50-70% for paths/cover).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Visual alternative: Think stripes: Tree row | Food lane | Tree row | Food lane, etc. Poplars east for road block, willows west for rubs near bedding (assume west is thicker cover from image).</li> </ul>If you upload a marked-up image, I can refine.Planting Instructions<ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Site Prep (Spring 2026):<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Soil test via NDSU Extension (Burleigh County office in Bismarck)—aim pH 6-7; add lime if needed for clay soils.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Till rows 2-3 ft wide, 140 yards long. Improve drainage if wet (Menoken's coteau can hold water).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Plant after last frost (~May 15-20 in Menoken).</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Sourcing & Propagation:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hybrid Poplars: Buy whips/cuttings from Menoken Farm (1107 171st St NE, Menoken—your backyard! $2-3 each) or Lincoln-Oakes Nursery (Bismarck, $1-2/whip). Varieties: 'Northwest' (fast, disease-resistant) or 'Assiniboine' (ND-adapted). Take 12-24" dormant cuttings (now-Dec/Jan); root in water or soil (80-90% success).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Willows: Free cuttings from local Missouri/Heart River stands (within 10 miles—e.g., Menoken wetlands). Or buy 'Silver Sands' sandbar willow from Bismarck Plant Materials Center (NRCS). Cut 10-18" dormant stems (95-100% root in moist soil). Pussy/peachleaf from wild or nurseries.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Aspen: Suckers/cuttings from local clones (free; 70-80% success).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Quantity: 100-150 plants/row (at 3-5 ft spacing).</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Planting:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Stick cuttings 2/3 deep in rows (use rooting hormone for poplars).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Water weekly first summer; mulch for weeds.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Group in clusters (5-10 plants/10 ft) for bushy rubs.</li> </ul></li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Maintenance:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Cutting: Every 2-3 years (late May post-bloom), brush hog to 6-12" stumps. Regrowth hits rub size (1-4" stems) by fall.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Weeds/Deer: Fence first year if needed; deer will browse but not kill.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Bees: No sprays; these provide March-May pollen jackpot.</li> </ul></li> </ol>Food Plot Suggestions & InstructionsBased on ND-specific sources (NDSU, Mossy Oak, North American Whitetail, Nodak Angler): Focus on cold-hardy, high-protein attractants. Till/replant annually (May for warm-season, Aug for fall). Rotate to prevent disease.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Plot A (Road-side lane): Beets + Cereal Rye. Beets (user fave; plant May, harvest fall—deer dig roots). Rye (winter cover; seed Aug). U-shape: Wide at north, narrow south for bow funnel.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Plot B: Corn + Brassicas (radish/turnip/rape). Corn (ND short-season hybrids like Pioneer; plant May). Brassicas (e.g., Northwoods Whitetails Sweat Feast Blend—fall magnet). T-shape: Crossbar at center for multiple shots.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Plot C: Beets + Corn. Alternate rows for variety. L-shape: Long arm north-south, short east for edge stand.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Plot D (West lane): Brassicas + Rye. V-shape: Point west to funnel from open field.</li> </ul>Planting Tips:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Seed sources: Northwoods Whitetails (brassica blends), local co-ops (corn/beets from Runnings in Bismarck).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Till 6-8" deep; fertilize per soil test (N-P-K for corn/beets).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Size: 0.25-0.5 acres/plot—small for high deer use in ND's "land of plenty."</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Attract: Plant near rows for cover; add minerals.</li> </ul>This setup will create a buck highway with rubs, bee forage, and bow kills. Total cost: $200-500 for starters (mostly free cuttings). Monitor first year; adjust spacing if needed![ATTACH=full]80978[/ATTACH]</blockquote>

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