When creating a dove field, it is important to plant crops that will attract doves and provide them with quality forage. The best plants to use will depend on your region and climate, but some top choices include sunflowers, millet, sorghum, corn, and wheat. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of each of these plants for dove fields and provide tips on how to plant and maintain them.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are one of the most popular and effective plants for attracting doves. Here are some key benefits of sunflowers for dove fields:
- High in oil content – Doves need to build up fat reserves before migration, and oil-rich sunflower seeds help them do this.
- Large seed heads – The large seed heads give doves plenty of seeds to feed on.
- Tall plants – Sunflowers can grow 5-12 feet tall, giving doves cover from predators.
- Re-seed themselves – Once established, sunflower plants will re-seed year after year with minimal maintenance.
When planting sunflowers, choose seed varieties suited to your climate. Plant in the spring once the danger of frost has passed. Space rows 3-4 feet apart and seeds 6 inches apart within rows. Fertilize the soil to ensure good growth. Sunflowers do best in full sun. Keep the plants well-watered while seeds develop. For mature plants, avoid overwatering which can cause fungal diseases.
Best sunflower varieties for dove fields
Some sunflower varieties that are well-suited for dove fields include:
- Mammoth Russian – A classic large-headed variety with high oil content.
- Black Oilseed – Smaller seeds with very high oil content.
- Peredovik – An early maturing variety good for short growing seasons.
- American Giant – Produces large seed heads on tall, sturdy stalks.
Millet
Millet is another excellent option for planting dove fields. Here are some key benefits:
- Small seeds – The tiny seeds are easy for doves to eat.
- Fast growing – Most millet varieties reach maturity within 60-90 days.
- Re-seeds readily – Millet will often re-seed itself thickly, providing continuous forage.
- Withstands drought – Millet is tolerant of dry conditions once established.
For dove fields, pearl millet and proso millet tend to perform the best. Plant millet when soil temperatures reach 65-70°F, usually late spring or early summer. Drill seeds 1/2 inch deep at a rate of 15-20 lbs per acre. Fertilize lightly with a low nitrogen fertilizer to encourage seed production. Keep soil moist until plants are established.
Best millet varieties for dove fields
Recommended millet varieties include:
- Pearl millet – Produces the largest seed heads.
- Proso millet – Quick maturing and drought tolerant.
- Foxtail millet – Makes rapid growth for quick forage.
- Japanese millet – Thrives in moist soil conditions.
Sorghum
Grain and forage sorghum plants also make excellent dove fields. Benefits include:
- High seed production – Dense seed heads provide plentiful food.
- Upright growth – Stout stalks produce good overhead cover for doves.
- Withstands heat and drought – Sorghum thrives in warm climates and dry conditions.
- Self-seeding – Most sorghum will re-seed reliably on its own.
Plant sorghum when soil temperatures reach 65-70°F. Space rows 18-30 inches apart depending on variety. Plant seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep at a rate of 5-10 lbs per acre. Control weeds when plants are young. Fertilize lightly with nitrogen to encourage growth and seed production. Reduce watering once plants are established.
Recommended sorghum varieties
Some top sorghum picks include:
- Milo – A common grain sorghum with large, compact seed heads.
- Brown midrib – A forage sorghum with high nutrient content.
- Sugar Drip – A taller variety good for cover.
- Piper – A dwarf, early maturing Sudan grass.
Corn
Corn is a favorite food source for doves in many regions. Advantages of planting corn for doves include:
- High-energy food source – Corn provides carbs and fat for migrating birds.
- Familiar and attractive – Doves seek out corn as a natural food source.
- Good cover when tall – Allows hiding from predators when over 5 feet tall.
- Easy to grow – Corn thrives in many climates and soil types.
Choose a full season, high yielding field corn variety to plant. Plant corn when soil reaches 55°F or after danger of frost. Space rows 30-38 inches apart and plant kernels 1-2 inches deep. Plant seeds 6 inches apart within rows. When corn is knee high, fertilize with additional nitrogen to promote growth. Control weeds while plants are young. Once established, reduce watering and do not over fertilize.
Best corn varieties for dove fields
Some of the top corn varieties for planting dove fields include:
- Reid’s Yellow Dent – A large-eared yellow corn good for silage and grain.
- Silver Queen – A white variety that matures early.
- Incredible – A tall, high-yielding feed corn.
- Supersweet cultivars – Have extended seed life for better reseeding.
Wheat
Wheat can provide nutritious forage for doves when planted in late summer or fall. Benefits include:
- Cold hardy – Withstands early frosts and winters well.
- Winter cover – Provides cover and food through fall and winter.
- Protein rich – Wheat seeds have higher protein than other grains.
- Self seeds – Will volunteer year after year when allowed to go to seed.
Plant winter wheat in late summer or early fall. Choose an early maturing soft white or red wheat variety. Drill seeds 1-2 inches deep at a rate of 90-120 lbs per acre. Plant rows 6-8 inches apart. Fertilize at planting with 20-40 lbs nitrogen per acre. Top dress with additional nitrogen in spring if needed. Harvest wheat in summer to allow reseeding.
Best wheat varieties for dove fields
Some good wheat varieties for dove fields include:
- Keys – A soft white winter wheat good for dry climates.
- Jerry – A high-yielding soft red winter wheat.
- Pioneer 26R61 – An early maturing soft red wheat.
- USG 3209 – A red wheat with excellent reseeding potential.
Maintenance Tips
Here are some tips for maintaining your dove field once your chosen crops are established:
- Allow reseeding – Avoid over-harvesting plants to allow natural reseeding each year.
- Rotate crops – Rotate planting locations each year to prevent diseases.
- Control weeds – Pull weeds by hand or mow to prevent competition.
- Irrigate when dry – Use irrigation to prevent drought stress as needed.
- Fertilize lightly – Too much nitrogen leads to excess leaf growth rather than seeds.
- Leave crop residues – Don’t clean up too thoroughly so some seeds remain to sprout.
With the right planting and maintenance approach, you can create a productive dove field full of nutritious forage year after year.
Comparison of Crops
Here is a quick comparison of the different crops and their benefits for planting dove fields:
Crop | Benefits |
---|---|
Sunflowers | High oil content, large seed heads, tall plants, self-seeding |
Millet | Small seeds, fast growing, drought tolerant, self-seeds |
Sorghum | Prolific seeds, upright cover, heat/drought tolerant, self-seeds |
Corn | High-energy food, familiarity, tall cover, easy growing |
Wheat | Winter hardiness, cover and food though winter, self-seeds |
Conclusion
Creating an optimal dove field requires choosing the right plants for your climate and soil. Sunflowers, millet, sorghum, corn, and wheat all have benefits that make them top choices. Aim to provide a mix of nutrition, plentiful seeds, cover from predators, and self-reseeding ability. Maintain the field by preventing over-harvesting, rotating crops, controlling weeds and pests, irrigating when dry, and fertilizing lightly. With the right inputs, your dove field can provide a bounty of forage for many seasons.