Paydirt! Fall Food Plot Success.
One of the most important factors for success in the fall is a food plot. Your plan to this success begins in Spring/Summer. In order to grow and hold deer on your hunting ground you must provide the proper nutrition. Correct preparation of a food plot is essential in maximizing proper nutrition, and your chances of harvesting a mature whitetail.
Step 1: Soil Test – Prior to Herbicide application
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP! Without a proper soil test no one, I mean no one, can tell you the correct lime and fertilizer combination to place on your soil. Take 3-4 test scoops in different areas of a single food plot, mix them together in a plastic bag, and take them to your local Co-Op or local feed store to have a soil test administered. Do this for each food plot you intend to plant. Soil testing enables you to find out the makeup of your soil and helps you determine how much lime and fertilizer you need to apply. This step is often overlooked and is crucial in maximizing seed growth and palatability.
Step 2: Seed Selection
When choosing seed for your food plots keep one very important factor in mind. You are not only wanting to attract deer to your hunting ground during hunting season, you want the deer to spend as much time on your property as possible. The more time deer frequent your property, the better odds you have of harvesting a mature whitetail in the fall. Choose your seed depending on climate, moisture, and geographic location. You want to have a good mix of annuals and perennials. Annuals are plants such as corn, soybeans, sugar beets, etc.; plants that have a life span of 5-7 months. You will want to plant these early to mid-summer depending on your geographic location. These seeds will have to be replanted every year. Perennials are plants such as clover and alfalfa, which have a much longer life span. Usually 3-5 years. Having a good mix of both annuals and perennials will ensure your deer have plenty of food year round.
Step 3: Herbicides – Late Spring/Early Summer
Herbicide application minimizes competition for the seed you intend to plant. Most herbicides become waterproof within a very short period of time, usually 2-3 hours, so pay attention to the forecast and spray accordingly. You want to choose a systemic herbicide (41% Glyphosate) if you are trying to eliminate weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that will be competing with your seed. There are multiple systemic herbicides out there and they will all get the job done. You should start seeing the effects within 7 to 10 days, depending on the weather.
Step 4: Soil Preparation
First and foremost, you DO NOT have to be a farmer to properly prepare your seedbed. There are multiple implements on the market designed for use with four wheelers and/or side by sides. Four wheelers and side by sides are more maneuverable than tractors and make it much easier to get to the plots tucked back in the timber. If you have access to farm equipment, then by all means, use the equipment where access will allow.
Once the herbicide has done its job, soil preparation should start. If using an implement pulled by a four-wheeler or side by side its best to start this shortly following a rain to maximize cutting depth, and minimize strain on the machine. The soil should be somewhat moist. Try to avoid soil that is too wet. This will cause clumps, which can trap seed and create bare spots in your plot. For best results the soil should be as close to “powder” as possible before you start seeding your plot.
Step 5: Lime/Fertilizer
Your soil test will provide you with the correct lime/fertilizer combination to apply to your soil. If your soil PH is low, lime will often be recommended to raise the PH. Once lime/fertilizer is applied re-work your ground just as you did in Step 3. This ensures the added minerals are mixing with the soil, and those clumpy patches of soil will start to disappear.
Step 6: Seed Application
Depending on which seed you choose, there are a couple different methods for proper application. Seed depth will vary depending on the size of the seed. Some larger seeds such as corn can be planted 2-4 inches deep, whereas clover and alfalfa should only be at a depth of ½ inch or less. Broadcasting is one of the more common applications for most hunters and DIY’ers. Broadcasting is very effective, it’s simply not as accurate as drilling, but in most instances hunters are not planting for harvest, so accuracy doesn’t play a role. Broadcasted seed will usually need to be covered by use of a drag, or a cultipacker to ensure the seed is at the correct depth for germination. Seed drills and row planters are extremely effective, and are designed for four wheelers and side by sides depending on the size of your ATV/UTV. However, these implements will more than likely require the use of a tractor.
Now all that’s left is to wait on Mother Nature to bless you with rain and keep the weeds in check. If you follow these steps, year in and year out, you will greatly increase your odds of harvesting that deer of a lifetime!
Source: http://greenbacktacticalhunters.com/