Wildlife Planting Guide and Native Wildlife Plants in South Carolina

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2 Wildlife Planting Guide and Native Wildlife Plants in South Carolina Prepared by Greg K. Yarrow Extension Wildlife Program Department of Aquaculture, Fisheries and Wildlife Clemson University Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or disability and is an equal opportunity employer. Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture and South Carolina Counties. Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30,1914

3 PREFACE This booklet is intended to provide South Carolina landowners and sportsmen with a guide to the proper method of cultivating some of the commonly grown wildlife food plantings as well as maintenance of native foods for wildlife. Planting and cultivation of food plots are popular wildlife management practices on private lands. The quantity, quality and distribution of natural wildlife foods are often subject to fluctuations; therefore, cultivated plantings can be used to supplement natural food supplies. Wildlife plantings, however, should not be viewed as a substitute for protecting and enhancing existing native wildlife foods through proper management. Native foods should be inventoried and evaluated before making substantial investments in wildlife food plantings. In most cases, managing existing native wildlife plants is a more practical and cost-effective method of enhancing wildlife habitat. In addition, land managers should make every effort to select native plants that are usually more adaptable, require less maintenance, and often are not as invasive as non-native or exotic plants. Information contained within this guide was compiled from a variety of sources within South Carolina as well as from other areas across the South. Cultural recommendations presented have not been tested by Clemson University; therefore, Clemson University assumes no responsibility for the success or failure of a planting based upon the cultural recommendations found in this guide. Cultural practices in this guide, however, have been widely used by landowners, sportsmen and natural resource professionals who have been interested in enhancing wildlife habitat through plantings. Brand names mentioned in this publication are not meant, in any way, to imply endorsement of a product(s). Major information sources used in compiling this guide are listed in the literature cited section. Special thanks are given to the following individuals who reviewed and provided suggestions for this guide: Dr. Bruce Pinkerton, Mr. Breck Carmichael, Mr. Gerald Moore, Mr. Bill Mahan, Mr. Dave Baumann, Mr. Robert Gooding, Mr. Lewis Rogers, Mr. Billy Fleming, Mr. Larry Robinson, Mr. Robert Perry, Mr. Tommy Walker, and Ms. Judy Barnes. Copies of this guide may be purchased from your local county Clemson Cooperative Extension office or by ordering from the Bulletin Room, 83 Poole Agriculture Center, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, (803) Purchasing this publication includes the cost of the guide as well as postage and handling.

4 CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE PLANTING The Right Plant. Choosing the proper plant(s) for the wildlife that you are interested in enhancing is not an easy task. In reality, wildlife will readily use a variety of plant species for food and cover; however, preferences do exist for certain plant species. To aid you in your selection, use the quick reference chart in this guide. Site Selection. To ensure a successful planting, plants should be adapted to the soil-type of the site that is chosen. Preferred soil-types for each plant are listed in the guide. For many wildlife species, it is important to locate plantings adjacent to escape cover. Excellent locations for wildlife plantings include odd areas in and along the edges of fields, fences, ditch banks, rights-of-ways, logging roads, edges of wide wood roads, logging decks, forest salvage cuts, firelanes, abandoned fields, forest openings, and forest regeneration areas. To discourage illegal harvest of larger game animals, such as deer and turkey, wildlife plantings should not be located in view of, or be accessible by, a public road or right-of-way. Size of Plantings. Plantings for deer and turkeys should range from 1-5 acres. For quail, strip (30 feet by 300 feet) plantings 1/8 to 1/4 of an acre are ideal. Most plantings for dove and waterfowl should be over 5 acres in size. Shape of Plantings. Plantings should be long and irregular in shape to provide the maximum amount of exposure and accessibility to wildlife. Large evenlysided plantings should be avoided. Distribution of Plantings. Wildlife plantings should be scattered evenly across an entire tract of land to ensure use by wildlife. As a rule of thumb, depending on the availability and quality of native wildlife food plants, wildlife plantings should comprise approximately 15% of the total acreage. Land Preparation. Proper land preparation before planting is extremely important in securing a successful stand for most wildlife foods. Refer to section titled "Commonly Planted Wildlife Foods" for general guidelines and specific recommendations for each wildlife food." Planting Date. Timing of plantings is critical in determining the success wildlife food plants. To increase the length and availability of planted foods for wildlife, consider staggering several plantings within the planting date ranges. Use the dates listed in this guide as a reference for establishing plantings. Planting Rate. If planting rates are too low, weed competition and germination problems may result in a wildlife food plot being a complete failure. On the other hand, heavy seeding rates are a waste of money. Methods of planting, as well as the depth of planting, are also factors that determine the success of a wildlife planting. Soil Test. Soil tests should be made on all future wildlife food sites. Tests determine the nutrient needs of a site for a particular planting. Fertilization and liming rates should be based, if possible, on the results of the soil test. Contact your III

5 local county Extension office for soil testing. Inoculation of Legumes. All legumes should be treated with the proper inoculation before planting. Inoculation facilitates nitrogen-fixation by rhizobia attaching to the nodules of legumes and results in sufficient nitrogen for plant growth. For more information on inoculation, obtain a copy of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service publication "Forage Legume Inoculation," forage leaflet 19. Companion Plants. Mixtures are usually more desirable as wildlife plantings. Combination plantings not only provide a diverse food source for wildlife but also lengthen the availability of food for wildlife. Companion plants are listed for most of the plant species presented in this guide. Management. Maintenance and management requirements of plantings are important considerations when choosing a wildlife food plant. Some plant species are easily maintained while others require a greater degree of care. Perennial and reseeding plant varieties usually require the least amount of effort. In addition, plants that readily respond to disturbances (disking, mowing, burning) usually require the least amount of effort and time to establish and maintain. Cost and Availability. Establishing wildlife plantings can become expensive. To cut costs, compare prices of several plant varieties, fertilizers and lime. Usually the common plant varieties are the least expensive. Also compare prices among several vendors to obtain the best value. Dealers who sell in bulk tend to have more competitive prices. If you choose varieties that are not readily available, plan several months in advance before planting dates to allow time to locate, order and receive seeds or seedlings. To locate wildlife plant seeds and seedlings, refer to the section in the back of this guide under "Sources for Wildlife Planting Materials."

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Commonly Planted Wildlife Foods Alfalfa... 1 Alyceclover... 1 American Jointvetch... 2 Apple and Crabapple... 2 Atlantic Coastal Panic Grass... 3 Austrian Winter Pea... 3 Autumn Olive... 4 Bahia-grass... 4 Beggarweed (Florida)... 5 Birdsfoot Deervetch... 5 Black Medic... 6 Bluestem (Big and Little)... 6 Buckwheat... 7 Chinese Chestnut... 7 Chufa... 7 Clovers Arrowleaf Clover...8 Ball Clover...8 Berseem Clover...9 Button Clover...9 Crimson Clover...10 Red Clover...10 Subterranean Clover...11 Sweet Clover...11 White (Ladino) Clover...12 Corn...12 Cowpea...13 Dallis-grass...13 Egyptian Wheat...14 Indiangrass...14 Lespedezas Annual...15 Shrub...15 Millets Browntop Millet...16 Foxtail Millet...16 Japanese Millet...17 Pearl Millet...17

7 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Proso Millet...18 Partridge Pea...18 Peanut...19 Peanut, Perennial...19 Rice...19 Ryegrass...20 Sawtooth Oak...21 Sesame (Benne)...21 Singletary Pea...22 Small Grains Barley...22 Oats...22 Rye...22 Wheat...22 Sorghum...23 Sorghum x Sudan Hybrids and Sudangrass...24 Soybean...24 Sunflower...24 Switchgrass...25 Velvet Bean...26 Vetch...26 Weeping Lovegrass...26 Wild Reseeding Soybean...27 Native Plants Used by Wildlife Trees, Shrubs and Other Woody Plants American Beech...27 American Beautyberry...28 American Elder...28 American Hornbeam...28 Alabama Supplejack...28 Bayberry...28 Black Cherry...29 Black Walnut...29 Blackberry, Dewberry & Raspberry...29 Blueberry...29

8 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Butternut...30 Chinquapin...30 Dogwood, Flowering...30 Fringetree...30 Grape, Wild...30 Greenbrier...30 Hawthorn...31 Hickory...31 Holly...31 Hophombeam, Eastern...31 Huckleberry, Dwarf...32 Japanese Honeysuckle...32 Locust...32 Oak...32 Magnolia...33 Palmetto...33 Persimmon...34 Pine...34 Poison Ivy...34 Plum, Wild...34 Red Maple...34 Red Mulberry...35 Redbay...35 Redcedar, Eastern...35 Sassafras...35 Saw-Palmetto...35 Serviceberry, Shadblow...36 Sugarberry...36 Sumac...36 Sweetbay...36 Trumpet-Creeper...36 Tupelo...36 Viburnum...37 Upland Herbaceous Plants Bahia-grass...37 Beggarweed...37 Lespedeza...37 Milkpea...37 Partridge Pea...37 Pokeweed...37

9 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Ragweed...37 Wooly Croton...38 Aquatic and Marsh Plants Arrow-arum...38 Asiatic Dayflower...38 Barnyard grass...38 Bulrush...38 Cutgrass, Giant...38 Foxtail, Giant...38 Pondweed...38 Sedge...39 Smartweed...39 Spikerush...39 Tearthumb...39 Watershield...39 Widgeongrass...39 Wildrice...39 Sources for Wildlife Planting Materials...40 Literature Cited...51

10 QUICK REFERENCE Wildlife Species

11 QUICK REFERENCE (Continued)

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16 QUICK REFERENCE (Continued)

17 COMMONLY PLANTED WILDLIFE FOODS Alfalfa A deep rooted (long tap root), cool season perennial legume with a high nutritional quality. Native to Iran and central Asia. Grows during cool and warm seasons. Grows 20 to 36 inches high, has fine stems, and short leafy branches from crown with compound leaves having three leaflets. Flowers are usually a shade of purple. Drought tolerant. Used by deer and turkey. Provides favorable nesting habitat, seeds, insects and foliage for turkey. Alfalfa has the longest production season of any southern legume, from March until November. Common varieties are Apollo, Virginia Cimmaton, Alfagraze and Florida 77. Planting Date - September 1 - October 15 Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Requires deep, fertile, welldrained soils. Not suited to wet soils or soils with shallow hardpan. Also not adapted to excessively drained sandy soils. Alfalfa is sensitive to soil acidity. A soil ph of 6.5 or above is required for high yields. Land Preparation - Break land in June or July and fallow until time to plant. Prepare smooth, firm seedbed before planting. A cuftipacker-seeder is the best equipment for planting in prepared seedbeds. Planting Rate - Plant pounds of seed per acre. Inoculate seeds. Planting Death - Plant seeds less than 1/2 inch deep. Fertilization and Liminq - Fertilize according to soil test, or apply 120 pounds of phosphorus, 120 pounds of potassium and 10 pounds of boron per acre when seedbed is prepared. Apply lime as needed according to soil test for a ph greater than 6.7 or apply at 2 tons per acre. Nitrogen is not needed since alfalfa fixes nitrogen when property inoculated. Companion Plants - Grow best alone. Manaaement - Requires a higher level of management than most plantings. Pest problems may occur with crown and stem rot, alfalfa weevil (controlled by spraying insecticide in the spring), leafhoppers, and nematodes of nonresistant varieties in the sandy coastal plain. Alyceclover Alysicarpus vaginalrs, coastal best A warm-season tropical annual, erect legume 12 to 24 inches tall with pink flowers that is highly preferred by deer in late summer and early fall. Originally from the tropical areas of the Orient. This is an excellent forage for deer, turkeys and rabbits. Comparable to American jointvetch, but has the advantage of being less expensive. High nutritional quality which is maintained well into late summer. Seasonal produc tion best during July through September. Establishment is slow and weed competition may be a problem. Planting Date - May - June Soil Type/Site Selection - Does well on most sites but best suited for moderate to well-drained sandy loam soils. Grows best in coastal areas with high summer rainfall. Tolerant of soil acidity. Land Preparation - Old cultivated land should be thoroughly broken and prepared in April or early May and re-disked before planting to help destroy weeds and grass. New land can be prepared just before planting. Plantina Rate - Plant pounds per acre. Broadcasting by hand is not recommended. Use an inoculant for ayceclover to increase nitrogen fixation, yields and crude protein content. Roll or cultipack after seeding. Planting Depth - 1 inch Fertilization and Liming - Follow soil test or apply a fertilizer with low or no nitrogen since the plant is a nitrogen fixing legume. Without a soil test apply 300 pounds of or an equivalent fertilizer per acre, and 1 ton of lime per acre to obtain a soil ph of 6.2.

18 Companion Plants - Does well in combination with forage cowpeas and/or American jointvetch. If planted with forage cowpeas and American jointvetch, plant 40 pounds per acre of cowpeas, 10 pounds per acre of alyceclover and 5 pounds per acre of American jointvetch. Plant peas and then drag in alyceclover and jointvetch. Combinations do best in bottomland soils. Management - Apply lime and fertilize every 2-3 years. Alyceclover will not tolerate competition from grasses and weeds during germination and early growth. To overcome grass and weed problems, it may need to be grazed or clipped off until clover gets established. Stands can be expected to persist for several years if the crop is allowed to produce seed each year. Where natural reseeding is desired allow to produce seed. The following spring, disk and harrow to control weed growth and to provide good soil conditions for germination of seeds that were produced the previous fall. Reseeding is not always dependable. Susceptible to nematodes and not competitive with weeds in seedling stage. Seed production is from 300 to 400 pounds per acre. Seeds are harvested by direct combining. Begin harvest when seed pods begin to shatter and harvest immediately. American Jointvetch Aeschynomene americana, coastal best Also known as Aeschynomene, jointvetch is not a true vetch but a warm season tropical legume. It is a reseeding summer annual used heavily by deer in late summer and early fall. It is slow to establish the first year. Browsing by deer usually begins in June, peaks in August to September, and ends in November. For this reason it is an excellent choice if early season deer bowhunting is planned. The plant is rapidly gaining popularity, but has a disadvantage of being more expensive than other seeds. Weed competition may also present problems. Plantina Date, - April 15 - July 4 Soil Tvoe/Site Selection - Choose a sandy loam to sift loam surface on a slight slope if possible. Sites too wet or too dry will not produce a quality stand. Welldrained alluvial soils are best suited to jointvetch. Land Preparation - Prepared by plowing, disking and packing. Planting Rate - Plant pounds per acre if hulled, or pounds per acre if unhulled. Broadcasting by hand is not recommended since this tends to bunch the seed and promotes weed competition. Proper inoculant, like those used for peanuts, cowpeas, or alyceclover, should be applied to the seed immediately before planting. Plantina Deoth - 1/2 inch Fertilization and Liminq - Soil test first. Prior to the final disking to prepare the seedbed, broadcast 400 pounds of per acre plus the necessary trace elements. Apply low nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of pounds per acre after plants are 15 inches high. Companion Plants - Can also be mixed with forage cowpeas and alyceclover. Plant peas first at 40 pounds per acre and then drag in jointvetch at 5 pounds per acre and alyceclover at 10 pounds per acre. Management - Shallow disking every spring should be followed by application of fertilizer when plants are established. In order to ensure a volunteer crop, plants must be allowed to bloom and seeds to mature. If seed maturation does not occur, additional seed must be replanted. Wildlife plantings should be protected from domestic livestock grazing. Can use pretreat ment of herbicides such as Treflan for weed and grass control. Apple and Crabapple Ma/us spp. best in mountain regions Trees in the apple family are small with short trunks and broad, open crowns. Deer, ruffed grouse, quail, black bears, and squirrels readily feed in orchards after apples mature in the fall. Planting Date - Mid-winter to early spring. Soil /Site Selection - Medium-moist to moist uplands, but some species will tolerate dry sites. Planting sites must be open and weed competition must be controlled.

19 Land Preparation - Requires sunlight. Mow to control weeds, brush, vines, and briars until the seedlings outgrow their competitors. Plantina Rate - Plant seedlings which have a root collar of at least 3/8 inches in diameter with spacing at 10 x 10 or 10 x 12 feet apart. Planting Death, - Plant to root collar. Fertilization and Liminq - Except for the year of planting, apply 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet beneath and just beyond the branch spread to improve growth and vigor. Companion Plants - After establishment can plant most cool and warm season grasses with apple or crabapple. Management. - Annually apply 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet beneath and just beyond the branch spread. Atlantic Coastal Panicgrass coastal plain, Panicum amarium var. amarulum piedmont Atlantic coastal panicgrass is a tall, robust, warm-season, perennial grass. Growth habit is upright and the plant looks like a bunch grass, although it produces short rhizomes. Plants are bluish green, leafy, and multistemmed. They produce large quantities of viable seed used by quail, turkeys and select seed-eating songbirds. Strong seedling vigor is an outstanding attribute. Planting Date - Since coastal panicgrass seed may display some dormancy, the use of 2-yearold seed is recommended. In addition, early spring seeding will increase the rate and uniformity of germination. Soil Type/Site Selection - Grows best on lighttextured, sandy to silt-loam soils. To reduce weed competition use a field that has been cultivated for a few years. Land Preparation - On sites where tillage equipment can be used, prepare a firm seedbed as for pasture planting. No-till seeding into killed sod (gamoxone or Roundup) is the preferred establishment method. Planting Rate - For drilled plantings, pounds per acre. Broadcast at 20 pounds per acre and cover seeds with cultipacking or other means. Plantina Depth - In silty or medium-textured soils, plant seed 1/2-1 inch deep. In coarse textured soils plant seed 1-2 inches deep. Fertilization and Liminq - Follow soil test or apply 100 pounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium per acre and 200 pound of lime per acre. Companion Plants - Can grow well with mixtures of annual lespedezas. Management - Responds well to prescribed burning. Austrian Winter Pea (Winter Pea) Pisum sativum subsp. arvense coastal plain, piedmont A viney, cool-season annual with stems 2 to 4 feet long and native to the Mediterranean region. Wildlife use of Austrian peas is limited, but doves and quail will eat some seed. Deer will graze the tender foliage when other foods are in short supply. High nutritional value. Seeds mature from May - June. Planting Date - September - October. Best production if peas are planted by October 15. Soil Tvpe/Site Selection, - Well-drained loam or sandy loam soils. Does well except in the mountains and poorly-drained soils near the coast. Land Preparation - No preparation if following a cultivated field or harvest of crop. If in a weedy area prepare a clean seedbed. Planting Rate - Broadcast and harrow in at pounds per acre or pounds per acre if planted with small grain. Plantina Depth - 1/2 inch Fertilization and Liminq - Follow soil test or apply lime on acidic soil for a ph of , usually 1-2 tons per acre. Apply 60 pounds of phosphorus and potassium per acre.

20 Companion Plants - Can be planted with any of the small grains. Management - Allow peas to mature seed every 2-3 years to ensure a reseeding stand. Remove excessive growth of grass in September to facilitate germination of peas. _Disking in the fall every 2 years will encourage production. Hard seed coat helps ensure reseeding. Repeat annual applications of phosphate and potash. Repeat lime application every 5 years or as needed to maintain a soil ph of at least 6.0. Produces pounds of seeds per acre. Can be harvested by direct combining. Aphids are the most common pest. Pests may also include downy mildew during warm wet winters, viruses, pea weevil, and nematodes. Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata A large deciduous shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet. Fleshy fruits are an excellent source of food for quail in late fall and winter when food supplies are scarce. Turkeys and songbirds readily take the red berries in the early fall. Berry production can begin as early as 3-5 years after planting. Autumn olive has dark green leaves with silvery undersides and produces an abundance of small yellow sweet flowers each spring, and a heavy crop of berries that ripen throughout August and September. Berries range in color from yellow to dark red and are from 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter. The dense shrub also provides escape cover for wildlife. Planting Date - January - March Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Nitrogen-fixing plant, therefore it does not require a highly fertile soil. Well-drained, moderately fine textured soils from deep sandy loam to clay. Best planted as a border or cover strip along the edge of food plots. Tolerant of light shade but does not produce many berries if shaded. Land Preparation - Requires sunlight. Mow to control weeds, brush, vines, and briars until seedlings outgrow their competitors. Planting Rate - Seedlings which have a root collar of at least 3/8 inches in diameter can be planted at 6-10 feet apart for hedgerows or at least 12 feet apart for individual plants. Planting Depth - Plant by hand in holes. The hole must be large enough to accommodate roots without crowding. This means the hole will have to be 4-6 inches larger in diameter and 4 to 6 inches deeper than the actual plant root measurements. Fertilization and Liminq - Apply a handful of fertilizer around seedling at time of planting. Apply pounds of nitrogen around established trees. Companion Plants - None Management - Except for the year of planting, annually apply 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet beneath and just beyond the branch spread. Bahia-grass Paspalum notatum A deep-rooted, summer perennial that spreads by rhizomes and seed. Plants are approximately 8 to 30 inches tall. Originates from Argentina, Brazil, Pensacola, Wilmington, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Turkeys readily graze the foliage and small seedheads. In addition, the grass also supports insects that are an important source of protein for turkeys. Will provide forage from May 15 until frost. Pensacola and common are the best varieties. Planting Date - March - May Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Adapted to a wide range of soils from very dry to moderately poorly drained. Two plots of 1/4 to 1 acre in size per 100 acres of forest is usually sufficient for turkeys. Land Preparation - Seedbed should be similar to that for row crops; however, good stands have been obtained by over-seeding thin stands of small grains (like wheat or rye) in February and March. Planting Rate - Broadcast about 20 pounds of seed per acre.

21 Planting Depth - 1/4 to 1/2 inch Fertilization and Liminq - Follow soil test recommendations or 300 pound per acre of or Soil ph should be above 5.7 and tests for phosphorus and potassium should be medium or above. Use 20 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre in May and July. Rate and frequency will depend on forage and on desired seed production. Will tolerate low fertility. Companion Plants - Clovers may be overseeded on bahia-grass alone or in combination with ryegrass. Other winter annuals can also be over seeded over bahia-grass. In a well established bahiagrass plot, the sod may need to be disturbed with a light disking in the fall to obtain a good stand of overseeded winter annuals. Winter peas or annual lespedezas can also serve as companion plants. Management - Occasional mowing in spring or early summer can increase seed production and provide multiple seed crops over the season. Responds well to pounds of in early spring and a top-dressing with pounds of nitrogen per acre in mid-summer. Does well on old roads and roadsides. Beggarweed (Florida) Desmodium totluosum An annual legume, usually growing 4 to 8 feet high in cultivated ground. Recognized by its small jointed seedpods with hooked hairs that cause it to cling to clothing. The seeds are small, 200,000 seeds per pound. Seeds are a choice food of quail and turkeys. Seeds are harvested mainly in Georgia, Alabama, and northern Florida. Planting Date - April - May Soil Tvae/Site Selection - Most sites, but grows best on well-drained to moderately-drained sandy loam soils. Land Preparation - Disk lightly on fields that were previously harvested for corn. Otherwise, prepare a clean seedbed. Planting Rate - Broadcast pounds per acre of hulled seed on lightly prepared soil. Will volunteer annually following cultivation or soil disturbance if seeds are allowed to mature each year. Planting Depth - Leave uncovered. Fertilization and Liming - Fertilize cultivated crop (corn) in a normal manner or use 300 to 500 pounds of per acre or similar fertilizer in growing beggarweed alone. Companion Plants - Grows well with other native legumes. Management - Allow seed crop to mature and remain on the ground until spring. Prepare a normal seedbed in spring and continue crop rotation, or harrow to form a fresh seedbed. Seeds do not ordinarily remain viable in the soil more than one season. Seasonal disturbance by disking in winter or early spring stimulates volunteer growth. Birdsfoot Deervetch Lotus comiculatus Also known as Birdsfoot Trefoil. A deeprooted, cool season, short-lived perennial legume that grows 12 to 30 inches. Native to the Mediterranean region. Flowers are bright yellow and seed pods are brown to purple resembling a birds foot. Production period April through early October. Varieties include Fergu, Empire, and Viking. Utilized by turkeys, quail, and deer. Planting Date - August - September Soil Tyoe/Site Selection - Does well on most sites and tolerates drought and moderate soil acidity. Adapted to well-drained soils. Land Preparation - Well prepared clean seedbed. Disk plot in June and leave fallow until planting date. Re-disk and plant seed in firm seedbed. Plantina Rate - Plant seeds with a cultipackerseeder at 4-6 pounds per acre or broadcast 12 pounds per acre. Planting Depth - 1/4 inch Fertilization and Liming - Follow soil test or lime if soil ph is under 5.5. Responds well to phosphorus and potassium. Generally 75

22 phosphorus and potassium. Generally 75 pounds of (P) and 150 pounds of (K) per acre are required. Inoculation of seed required. Companion Plants - Grows well with bahia-grass, ryegrass, clover, and vetch. Management - Plants should be allowed to produce seed for reseeding new plants the following year. Crown and root rot are serious diseases of birdsfoot deervetch and will reduce stands. Nematodes can also be a problem on sandy soils. Mow in early spring and late summer. Black Medic Medicago lupulina A cool-season annual that is 6 to 8 inches tall with small yellow flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region. Short period of production from April to early May. Although utilized by various species of wildlife, availability limits use. Used by turkeys, rabbits and deer. Suitability to South Carolina is sporadic. Planting Date - September - October Soil Tvoe/Site Selection - Grows on most sites but does best on calcareous soils. Land Preparation - Prepare smooth, clean seedbed. Plantina Rate - Broadcast seed at 10 to 12 pounds per acre. Planting Depth - 1/4 inch Fertilizing and Liminq - Follow soil test. Does well with pounds of or per acre. Management - Replant for establishment. Bluestem (Big and Little) Andropogon spp. The bluestems, known as 'beard grasses' or 'sagegrasses," are important, native warm season forage grasses in the longleaf pinebluestem range. Southern bluestems are mainly bunchgrasses. Heights range from about 1 foot to 6 feet. Provide excellent cover and feeding sites for ground-nesting wildlife. Rountree variety is best suited; however, Niagara may prove suitable in piedmont and mountains. Planting Date - April - May Soil Tvoe/Site Selection, - Loam to clay soils. Land Preparation - Create a tilled, firm seedbed by plowing, disking and cultipacking. If prepared hard seedbed is rained on before planting, harrow and cultipack again before planting. Planting Rate - Can broadcast at 7-10 pounds per acre with and eze-flo spreader or cyclone spreader and then dragging to lightly cover seed. Can also drill at 8 pounds per acre with special drill. If using a cyclone spreader, try mixing seed with fertilizer or cracked corn for better spreading. A granular soil legume inoculant makes an excellent carrier for the fine seeds. It may require two years to establish a good stand and may have a hard time finding seedlings the first year. Be patient. No-till seeding into killed sod (gamoxone or Roundup) is the preferred establishment method. Use 2-3 pounds of pure live seed for old world bluestem or 5-10 pounds for little bluestem. Planting Depth: 1/4-1/2 inches. Fertilization and Liminq: Soil test fields and bring fertility up to medium levels for lime, phosphorus and potassium, but do not apply nitrogen at or before planting time. Nitrogen will only stimulate weed competition. Companion Plants: Can no-till plant into corn, milo or soybean stubble or into cool aeasons crop such as wheat. Management: Use 1 to 1.5 quarts of 2,4-D per acre if broadleaf weeds are problem; then wait 10 days to 2 weeks and apply 1.5 pounds of Atrazine per acre. To reduce weed competition mow weeds down at 6" height in May. Warm season grasses are especially well adapted to management with controlled fire in the spring around April 1.

23 Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum An erect annual with white flowers that produces an abundance of forage and seed for about 10 to 12 weeks for quail, doves, turkey, ducks and deer. If not cultivated often found along roadsides and in fields. Buckwheat may be heavily browsed or may not be suitable in areas of high deer density. Planting Date - April - August. Matures in 45 days. Staggered plantings lengthens the period of seed production. Soil Tvae/Site Selection - Grows on practically any type of soil. Prefers well-drained sandy to sandy loam soils. Land Preparation, - Prepare clean seedbed. Planting Rate - Plant pounds per acre of seed. Plantina Depth - 1/2-1 inch Fertilization and Liminq - Broadcast pounds of per acre. Preferred ph of Companion Plants - Sunflower, millets, and grain sorghum. Management - Early plowing is advantageous. Cultural requirements are similar to small grains. Chinese Chestnut mountains, piedmont Castanea mollissima A medium-sized, deciduous tree with a short, crooked trunk and bur-covered nuts which are readily eaten by rabbits, gray and fox squirrels, chipmunks, and deer. Chinese chestnuts may be one alternate to fill the void left by the demise of the American chestnut. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the American chestnut ranked as one of the most important wildlife plants of the eastern U.S. The bur-covered nuts of the smaller Chinese chestnut trees are similar to the nuts of the American chestnut and are readily eaten by wildlife. Planting Date - Mid-winter to early spring. Soil Type - Dry to medium-moist upland sites and mountain slopes. Land Preparation - Requires sunlight. Mow and use herbicides to control weeds, brush, vines, and briars until the seedlings outgrow their competitors. Fertilization and Liminq - Apply a handful of fertilizer around seedlings. Planting Rate - Plant seedlings which have a root collar of at least 3/8 inches in diameter spaced 10 x 10 or 10 x 12 feet apart. Planting Depth - Plant seedlings to root collar. Companion Plants - None Management - Except for the year of planting, annually apply 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet beneath and just beyond the spread of the branches. Vegetation surrounding seedlings should be controlled for several years by chemical or mechanical means to reduce competition. Chufa Gyperus esculentus piedmont, coastal Also known as nutgrass. Chufa is a sedge with grass-like leaves growing inches high. While the seeds are eaten by many species of birds, the tubers are a choice food for geese, waterfowl (mallards and pintails), turkey, deer, raccoon, squirrels and feral hogs. Planting Date, - April 1 to July 1. Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Well-drained to moderately drained sandy or loam soils. Avoid clay soils. Land Preparation - A well-prepared seedbed is necessary. Planting Rate - Best if planted 20 or more pounds per acre in rows 2-3 feet apart. If broadcasting plant 40 to 60 pounds per acre.

24 Planting Death - 1 1/2 inches Fertilization and Liminq - Use sufficient lime and fertilizer to keep the soil ph above 5.7 and to maintain medium soil test levels for phosphorus and potassium. Normal rate of fertilization is 500 pounds of per acre. Companion Plants - Grows best alone. Management - A top dressing of 50 to 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre will improve growth. Two or 3 cultivations to reduce weed competition will be helpful. Chufa sites should be rotated every 2-3 years since it does best on 'new' soils. Rotation also reduces the chance of disease problems from concentrating turkeys year after year in one area. After establishment, disk in March and April to encourage reseeding the second and possibly the third year. CLOVERS Arrowleaf Clover Trifolium vesiculosum piedmont, coastal An upright, cool-season, reseeding annual legume that grows to a height of 40 to 50 inches under optimum growing conditions. The nonhairy, arrow-shaped leaves generally have a large white 'V' mark. Flowers are predominately white but can have pink and purple shaded flower heads. Native to the Mediterranean region. Seeds germinate in the fall but grow slowly during the winter. Beginning in March arrowleaf clover makes rapid growth until full bloom in June. Seeds mature in late June to early August. Reseeds easily. Provides forage through late spring and early summer for deer, turkeys and rabbits. Common varieties are Yuchi, Meechee and Amclo. Planting Date - September 1 through October in piedmont, September 1 through November 15 in coastal. Soil Type/Site Selection - Suited to a wide range of soil conditions, but is best adapted to more fertile, well-drained soils. It is not suited to calcareous and light textured draughty soils of low fertility or on poorly drained soils. Land Preparation - Prepare a smooth, clean seedbed. Firm with a cultipacker before and after planting. May also be planted in an established summer perennial grass sod by light disking or with a sod seeding machine. Planting in sod should be delayed until about first frost date; however, may get a winter kill in the piedmont if planted at this time. Planting Rate - Broadcast pounds per acre of inoculated seed. Seeds should be scarified since they have a very hard seed coat. Planting Depth - 1/4-1/2 inch Fertilization and Liming - Soil test first. Apply pounds per acre of after plants are established. A ph level of 6.5 to 7.0 is needed for reseeding the following year. Conmanion Plants - Arrowleaf clover and cereal rye make good fall-to-spring combinations on welldrained soils and can be easily reseeded by disking or mowing and fertilizing each September. Grows well with ryegrass, summer perennial grasses and small grains. Management - An annual program of shredding in late summer, followed by light disking or late summer burning will help in seed production for the following year. Annual applications of pounds of fertilizer per acre should be applied in August or September. Fertilizers should not contain any nitrogen after the first year of planting. Annual seed production is from pounds per acre. Can be harvested by direct combining. Crown and stem rot may occur during warm, wet winter weather, especially on loam and clay soils. Thinning stands will help by promoting air movement through stands. Nematodes and virus diseases can also be a problem. Stands turn a distinctive purplish-red color in response to stress. Ball Clover Trifolium nigrescens A rapid growing, heavy seeding, coolseason annual legume similar in appearance to white clover. Native to the Mediterranean region. Has use on drought or low fertility land where crimson and white clover have a hard time growing. Grows up to 3 feet tall with white fragrant flowers. Hard seed and heavy seed

25 production can result in good natural reseeding. Production primarily during late March through April. Utilized by deer, turkey and rabbits. Plantinq Date - Plant from September 1 to October 30. Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Adapted to a wide range of soils from loam to clay soils. Tolerates poor drainage and grows on wetter and lighter textured soils than crimson clover. Will also grow on less fertile soils than white clover. Land Preparation - Prepare a smooth, clean seedbed. Allow seedbed to settle before planting. Ball clover can be planted in established stands of perennial grass with a sod seeding machine, by light disking of sod, or with a grain drill. Planting Rate - Broadcast 2 to 3 pounds per acre. Inoculate with white clover inoculant. Planting Death - 1/4 to 1/2 inch Fertilization and Liming - Apply 60 pounds of phosphorus and 60 pounds of potassium per acre at planting time. On soils of low fertility apply 16 pounds of nitrogen per acre at planting time. Maintain soil ph at 6.0 by liming. Companion Plants - Ball clover grows well on perennial grass sod (bermudagrass or bahiagrass) and with small grains, ryegrass and other clovers. Management - Allow ball clover to mature a good crop of seed each year to ensure reseeding. Use same fertilizer rates annually that were used when planting. There are 2 methods of harvesting seed: 1) direct combining when clover is completely matured, or 2) clover may be mowed and windrowed when half matured. Allow to dry one or two days, then combine with a pick-up attachment. Yields vary from 50 to 200 pounds per acre. Dry seed thoroughly after harvest. Clover head weevil may reduce seed produc tion. Berseem Clover Trifolium a/exandrinum coastal plain A cool-season annual with white flowers that resembles alfalfa and grows to a height of 2 feetor more. Native to the Mediterranean region. Most of the varieties are not winter hardy. High nutritional quality. Production from November to December and from March to June. Used by turkey, deer and rabbits. Common variety is Big 'B'. Planting Date - September to mid-october. Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Does well on nonacidic black belt soils and in high rainfall areas near the coast. More tolerant of alkaline and wet soils than most annuals. Best on loam soils with a ph of 6 or more. Land Preparation - Prepare a clean seedbed. Planting Rate - Broadcast at 20 pounds per acre or drilled at 10 to 15 pounds per acre. Planting Depth - 1/4 inch Fertilization and Liming - Follow soil test or lime until ph above 6. Usually 1-2 tons of lime per acre is needed. Requires high phosphorus and potassium fertility and 2-4 pounds per acre of boron. Companion Plants - Ryegrass, small grains and other clovers. Management - Can be encouraged to reseed by shredding and light disking. Crown rot can be a problem if excess forage is present during freezing. Button Clover Medicago orbicularis All regions except lower coastal A cool-season annual about 2-3 feet long. Orangeyellow flowers with coiled seed pods that resemble buttons, hence the name button clover. Native to the Mediterranean region. Productive period from March to May. Used by deer, turkey and rabbits. Growth is sporadic in South Carolina. Plantina Date - September - October

26 Soil Tvpe/Site Selection, - Adapted to loam and clay soils. Does best on limestone soils. Land Preparation - Prepare a smooth, clean seedbed. Allow to settle before planting. Planting Rate - Broadcast seed at 10 pounds per acre. Planting Depth - 1/4 inch Fertilization and Liming - Follow soil test and lime if soil is below a ph of 6. If no soil test is performed, apply pounds of low nitrogen fertilizer per acre. Companion Plants - Bahia-grass, small grains, ryegrass and other clovers. Management - An annual program of shredding in late summer, followed by light disking or late summer burning will help in seed production, for the following year. Annual applications of pounds of fertilizer per acre in August or September. Seed production from pounds per acre. Can be harvested by direct combining. Crown and stem rot may occur during warm, wet winter weather, especially on loam and clay soils. Thinning-stands will help by promoting air movement through clover. Nematodes and virus diseases can also be a problem. Crimson Clover Trifolium incamatum A leafy, reseeding, winter annual legume that grows 10 to 15 inches tall and is foraged by deer, rabbits, turkeys, and quail. Native to the Mediterranean region. Distinguished by crimson colored flowers with yellow rounded seeds. Generally available for a shorter period of time than other clovers but is more acid-tolerant than most legumes, and has an excellent soil building capacity. Roots may penetrate to a depth roughly equal to the plants height. Improved varieties are Tibbee, Chief, and Dixie. Seasonal production from late November to December and February to early April. Planting Date, - September 15 through October 15 Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Best on upland clay soils that are well-drained. Crimson is the best variety for coastal areas. Land Preparation - Be selective about planting dates. Plant when soil moisture is adequate for seed germination. A good, firm seedbed is preferred. Disk stubble land lightly. Planting Rate - Broadcast 20 to 30 pounds of inoculated seed per acre. Use reseeding variety. Seeds which are harvested by combine do not need to be scarified. Planting Death - Cover seeds 1/4 inch. Use a cuttipacker or drag. Fertilization and Liminq - Soil test first. Soil ph should be between 5.8 and 6.5. Phosphorus and potassium soil test levels should be maintained. An application of one pound of boron with a phosphorus and potassium fertilizer will increase seed production. Apply pounds of phosphorus and potassium per acre after plants are established. Does well with pounds of or per acre. Companion Plants - Used alone or in a mixture with wheat and/or ryegrass. If seeding with wheat or ryegrass mixtures, use 20 pounds per acre and plant before September 20. Also grows well with other small grains and clovers. Management, - Mow excessive growth in the fall to ensure reseeding. Yields of 150 to 300 pounds of seed per acre are common. Can combine seed directly. Seed may also be harvested by mowing, and windrowing. Clover head weevils often cause heavy seed losses, resulting in poor natural reseeding. Cool wet winter weather often results in crown and stem rot when stands are thick. Thinning stands may help reduce this problem. Red Clover Trifolium pratense Medium-rooted perennial upright grass which grows as an annual or biennial. Requires high fertility. Has a characteristic red bloom. Used by deer, turkeys, and rabbits. Common varieties include Redland, Florie, Kenstar, Orbit, and Chesapeake.

27 Planting Date - August 15 - October 15 Soil Tvae/Site Selection - Grows best on fertile, moderately well-drained neutral soils with high organic matter. Poorly adapted to light sandy soils. Land Preparation - Break land in June or July and then prepare a clean seedbed before planting. Planting Rate - Plant 8-12 pounds per acre on a firm seedbed. Cover seed lightly with harrow or cuftipacker. Inoculate seed with red clover inoculant. Plantina Depth - 1/4 inch Fertilization and Liming - Follow soil test. If not available, apply 60 pounds phosphorus, 60 pounds of potassium per acre at time of land preparation and work into soil. Companion Plants - Small grains, ryegrass, and other clovers. Management - Apply 40 pounds phosphorus and 40 pounds of potassium per acre annually. Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Best suited to welldrained soils. A shallow seedbed is preferred. Land Preparation - Smooth, firm, well-prepared seedbed. Plantina Rate - Broadcast pounds per acre over prepared seedbed. In permanent sod, lightly disk or drill with a no-till or sod-seeder on 6 to 10 inch row spacing. Seeds should be inoculated before planting. Plantina Depth, - 1/2 inch Fertilization and Liminq - Take soil test or apply 300 pounds of and 10 pounds of 2-3 pounds boron per acre annually in the fall. Maintain a soil ph of 6.2 to 7.0 with liming. Companion Plants, - Can be planted in combination with warm-season perennial grasses, cool season annuals or alone. Does well with ryegrass, small grains and other clovers. Management - Apply fertilizer (no nitrogen) after plants established. Relatively free of pests. Subterranean Clover Trifolium subterraneum piedmont, coastal plain Sweet Clover Yellow - Melilotus officinalis White - Melilotus a/be A winter annual legume that provides supplemental food for deer, turkey, quail and rabbits in late winter and early spring. Native to the Mediterranean region. Used extensively in Australia and New Zealand. Has a growing season similar to crimson but not as long as arrowleaf. Can tolerate close grazing and produces seed near or just beneath the soil surface; therefore, it gets the name 'sub clover.' Good shade tolerance and reseeding characteristics. Does well planted under open stands or sawtimber sized pines. In these areas it can be established by burning ground litter followed by broadcasting of seeds and fertilizer. Common varieties include Mt. Barker, Woogenellup, Tallarook, Nangeela, and Meterora. Lower yields than crimson and arrowleaf. Production period during November to December and March to April. Plantings Date - August 15 - November 15 Generally 2 warm-season biennial and 2 annual species are planted. Sweet clover and alfalfa are closely related and have similar lime requirements, but sweet clover is shorter-lived, makes coarser growth and thrives on lower fertility soils. All sweet clovers contain a bitter substance with a vanilla-like odor called 'coumann." Spoiled sweet clover can be very harmful to livestock. Biennial sweet clover does not bloom the first year after planting. Growth starts the second year in February or March from buds that remain alive below the surface of the ground. It is a deep-rooted, drought resistant plant that grows on soils too poor to support other plants. Production period May through August. Used by deer, turkeys and rabbits. Plantina Date - September 15 - October 15 Soil Type/Site Selection - Does best on fertile bottomland sites. Adapted to alkaline soils and other soils that have been heavily limed.

28 Land Preparation - Break and disk land in advance of planting and allow to settle into smooth, firm seedbed. Planting Rate - Broadcast 20 pounds per acre. Use sweet clover inoculant. Planting Depth - 1/4 inch Fertilization and Liming - Apply 60 pounds of phosphorus and 60 pounds of potassium per acre at planting time or follow soil test. Companion Plants - Small grains, ryegrass and other clovers. Management - Repeat fertilizer (no nitrogen) application annually for maintenance. Sweet clover weevil may become a pest. White (Ladino) Clover Trifolium repens Deer, rabbits, turkeys, and quail will readily use white clover for forage. Ordinarily a long-lived perennial in the northern sections of the South, but in most areas will act as a coolseason annual. Native to the Mediterranean region. White clover produces the bulk of its forage in late winter and early spring. With fertile soil and adequate moisture, it will produce yearround. Frost and drought, however, will stop growth. It is highly nutritious, has the longest grazing season, and the highest production of any pasture clover. It is shallow rooted and spreads by creeping branches and by seeds. Flowers are white and in clusters or heads. Common varieties include Regal, California, Tillman ladino, common white, La-Si and Osceola. Planting Date - Best results are obtained if seeded after September when soil moisture is favorable but can be planted in February. Usually planted from September 1 to November 15. Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Adapted to a wide range of soils, but performs best in heavier soils such as moist bottom clay or loam soils. Not suited for draughty upland soils of medium to low fertility or to extremely wet soils. Land Preparation - Prepare a clean, smooth, firm seedbed and allow to settle before planting. If planting on established sod, disk lightly or plant with a sod seeding machine. Planting Rate - Broadcast 8-10 pounds of inoculated seed per acre. Inoc ulate seed with white clover inoculant. Plantina Depth - 1/4 inch Fertilization and Liming - Soil ph should be between 6.0 and 6.5. Soil test if possible or apply 80 pounds of phosphorus and 80 pounds potassium per acre at planting time. Companion Plants - Dallis-grass, bahia-grass, ryegrass, small grains and other clovers. Management - After testing the soil, the recommended rate of phosphorus and potassium should be applied annually. Fall disking aids in reseeding of stands. Stands of white clover are eventually taken over by grasses but should persist for 3 to 5 years. Annual applications of pounds of phosphorus and pounds of potassium per acre should be made in August or September. Intermediate types of white clover usually reseed naturally while giant or ladino types do not reseed very well in the lower coastal areas. Leaf and root diseases may be a problem. Thinning of stands may help. Viruses are a serious problem and may cause clover to die in 2 or 3 years. Only solution is to replant. Grass competition from under-utilized plantings maybe a problem. In grass combinations, grasses should be planted in wide rows and clover broadcast to reduce competition. Corn Zea mat's A choice food for many wildlife species including quail, dove, deer, turkey, squirrel, raccoon, ducks, geese, and nongame birds. Originated from southern Mexico. For wildlife choose a variety that resists worms and produces heavy ears close to the ground. Seeds mature in days depending on variety. Planting Date - March 1 - April 30. Matures in 150 days. Soil Tvpe/Site Selection - Well-drained soils are