Right now, we are in the thick of the hot and humid weather, and I can’t wait for fall. Like many folks around here, spring and fall are my favorite times of the year.
When it comes to planting for wildlife, I especially enjoy the fall. You have a longer growing period with more options to choose from, and a greater chance of success if you focus on fall wildlife mixes and seed.
As far as wildlife mixes go, you really can’t go wrong with our Super Buck mix, which includes oats, wheat, Austrian winter peas, and clover. For this mix, you want to stick to a planting rate of 40-50lbs per acre. This mix has proven to be easy to establish and will provide supplemental protein from the fall to early spring for whitetail deer. Annual ryegrass and hairy vetch are also good choices for ground cover this time of year.
If you are new to fall planting, many crops do well in Central Texas over the fall and winter. Leafy greens like broccoli, kale, lettuce, and Swiss chard thrive in cooler weather. Root vegetables such as carrots, beets, radishes, and turnips do very well when sown directly in the garden. And herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, and garlic are great options for the coming seasons.
Don’t be afraid to try something new when it comes to your fall planting. At Odiorne, we always have a good supply of seed and gardening supplies for whatever you may need. As always, if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask us! And we love to hear your stories about what’s been successful for you. I hope you enjoy the fall season as much as I do, and happy planting!