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What this
will tell you is the amount of fertility that is already in the ground, or
how much fertility that needs to be added for proper growth, for the crop
you plan to plant. This will allow the goal that you are shooting for to
be reached if there is adequate moisture. It will also tell you whether or
not you will need to correct the pH in the plot or plots that you are
going to plant. Soil sample kits can be found at the local Extension
office and dropped off at the Quality Co-op close to where you live or
hunt or send it yourself to Auburn or a test lab.
Please
remember that if you are getting a soil sample in late summer or September
for the fall, it may not be beneficial for the fall. The way to beat this
is to use Basic Slag at ½ of the rate of lime for the fall and make the
final adjustments in the spring for next year. Example: if the soil test
calls for 2 tons of lime, add one ton of Basic Slag. This is only a quick
fix until you can get your plans together.
The next
thing to do is pick out the plants that you would like to grow. It is very
important to remember that all plants are not suitable for the area in
which you are planting. If there is a question, go to the local Extension
office or contact the county agent for good solid answers. Many Quality
Co-ops in the state carry a line of seeds that will suit your needs, but
be sure if you are planting clovers the pH is within range. Clovers do
very well in areas with some moisture and the soil is not too well
drained, such as hilltops and sandy soil. On the other hand, cereal grains
will do fine in poorer land with the pH a bit lower. Barasicas will do
well if the pH is within a range from 6.0 to 7.2. This will help both you
and the wildlife by knowing this.
Legumes are
mostly plants such as peas, clovers and soybeans. However, there are a
number of annual legumes out there also. I really do like the yuchi as
well as the apache types of clover mixed with the crimson, red, ladinos
and chicory mixes because of the stage feeding affects when mixed with a
50 lb. sack of good oats. Chicory is a much sought after forb that is
becoming very popular in the wildlife market. What we have here now is
some diversity that will cause the wildlife to continue to come back over
and over, from the time of planting through the summer. A test was
conducted at the University of Florida with AFC’s Big Buck Blend
yielding a whopping 20.1% crude protein.
So, now we
have an idea of what to plant for good year-round nutrition that is very
cost effective to the average hunter. Let’s talk about the plots that
are planted and where, as well as the direction that the plots are facing.
Breaking
the soil and making a suitable seedbed is just one of the steps that make
food plots work well for you. The depth that seeds are planted, usually ¼
to ½ of an inch, is just as important. This allows enough light to
penetrate the soil for quicker germination.
Picking a
plot near a bedding area is very important. I say this because the truth
of the matter is that a whitetail deer is one of the laziest animals in
our woods. Sure enough, if you walk up on one, it will jump and leave like
a bee. But for the most part a deer will move to feed or get a drink of
water until the rut gears up, then all of the saved energy is put to good
use.
Facing a
plot in a north to south direction lets the sunlight work the
photosynthesis magic on the green and growing plants. With good fertility,
proper pH, moisture and sunlight, the plots have a chance to produce
better forage. Please, whatever you do, don’t cut yourself short on
fertilizer. A rule of thumb is 350 to 400 pounds per acre (210 feet by 210
feet) and one pint of bio stimulant works well for the planting in the
early fall with a second application of nitrogen in mid-season around
mid-December. This is done for two reasons: (1) to keep the plants growing
through the hunting season and (2) to keep feeding the wildlife through
the tough winter months.
In the last few years, work
has been done by prominent biologists on the nutritional needs of
whitetail deer. It has been determined that an increase in protein will
increase the size as well |
