We have checked the soil pH and it is in the 5.0 -5.3 range. This past season my club didn't have the time to apply lime to our plots (ground was very wet so lime truck couldn't access plots) so we are planning to apply lime soon. Then plant some legumes such as iron and clay peas in them. In the fall, we plan to plant some Biologic products. Also, one landowner is doing some 3 rd row thinning on a 11 yr old pine plantation... we plan on planting those thinning cuts... basically 20 foot openings then 3 rows of pines then another opening etc.
The other landowner is doing some more drastic cutting.. cutting pines and other non mast producing trees out... planting some pines and making some bedding areas. This landowner's grandfather cut the timber several yrs ago then never replanted so it grew up with mostly populars and gum trees with some pines. It is very thick with trees that have choked out any browse or cover.

We are located in south central Alabama about an hour south of Montgomery. We have a total of 7 acres of plots on 800 acres of land.
Any ideas on planting thinning cuts or skidder trails? Any ideas on what to plant (other than iron and clay peas) in existing food plots while allowing lime to "work"?
Thanks!

Make sure that your orientation to the sun will allow enough sunlight to the crop. When planting thinned pine rows, fire-breaks or logging roads you have to consider the orientation to the sun. An east-west row may not receive any sun where a north-south row should receive at least some sun during midday. Just a slight angle or a turn can mean a spot that gets several hours more sunlight. It can sometimes be tricky dealing with the tree roots also. If the pines are important to you, pay heed to the roots when you’re working the soil for your food plots.

For a spring planting - BioMass, Lablab, or a blend of annual legumes such as BioMass all Legume should work fine in that situation. I would recommend incorporating about 500 lbs of pelletized lime per acre at the time of planting, in addition to the regular lime that it sounds like you have coming. The pelletized lime will give a fast boost for the current crop where the powdered lime will help crops to come.

For a fall planting there are a number of things that should do fine, it would depend upon specifically what you’re trying to accomplish and when specifically you want to accomplish it. Outfitter’s Blend, Trophy Oats, Full Draw, Green Patch Plus and Hot Spot should do fine. And as I said, if you want an “insurance policy” I would use some pelletized lime with anything you plant until your regular lime achieves a neutral pH.