Food Plots Part 1

First off, I thought I would "jazz up" the name and logo of the blog to Bone n' Broadheads.  I think its much better than the previous blog title.  Anyway......

I was going to discuss land management in this blog since I have already blogged about mineral stations and trail cameras which are both part of land management.  Food plots are also important to whitetail land management, but there is so much information to share I am going to do a two-part blog about food plots.  Part 1 will focus on what it takes to get your food plot ready to plant.  Part 2 will focus on planting, which crops to select, and how to manage the crop after it is planted.

Food plots can add another dimension to your hunting property.  Almost any part of your property that can get some sunlight could be a food plot.  You may have the best ground in the world, but without food the deer will vanish.  Being an agronomist (I used to work at a Co-Op), this blog will give you some suggestions on food plots.

Clover food plot

Food plots can help you be successful come deer season because of a food plots ability to hold big bucks in an area.  There are a variety of crops you can plant, and I will discuss the benefits of each with you (Part 2), but first let's talk about what it will take to grow any crop.

Field Preparation

Field preparation can be done in a number of ways, or you might not have to do any at all.  Once the spot is located you want to plant, start by looking at what is already there.  If the plot is currently grass, it may be a good idea to go in and mow it off.

Brush mower

After mowing the spot, let it sit for a week so the grass and weeds can recover and start growing again.  Once the week timeframe has gone by, get your sprayer out and spray the area.  The reason you need to wait until the mowed area starts putting growth back on is because those plants will not take in the chemicals if they are not actively growing.  I recommend spraying a Round-up and 2-4,D mixture.  This will take care of the broadleafs and grass in the field.

Four wheeler sprayer

Wait another week after spraying before doing some tillage.  Working the dirt will allow for a better seedbed for planting and will bury the dead weeds.  I recommend some sort of disk/harrow tool to work and level the soil profile.  Use a four-wheeler or have the neighboring farmer come over and disk it up.

Disk

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is a key component to food plots.  Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are vital ingredients in most crops to make a successful food plot.  Common forms of fertilizer are: 

Nitrogen

• Gas (Anhydrous Ammonia) 82-0-0

Anhydrous application

• Liquid (28% or 32%) 28-0-0 or 32-0-0
• Dry (Urea) 46-0-0

Phosphorus

• Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) 11-52-0
• Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) 18-46-0 

Potassium

• Potash 0-0-60

The first number in each analysis is nitrogen content, the second is phosphorus, and the third is potassium (N, P, K).

pH is also important and can be managed with lime applications.  A proper pH is important because it will help utilize the fertilizer you apply more efficiently and a proper pH will allow for higher yields.  There are certain crops that require more of one fertilizer than another, and other crops that are more pH sensitive.

Soil sampling can be used to determine what to spread for the desired crop.  The soil samples can be sent in to a lab and a specific recommendation is given based on the crop you are going to plant in your food plot. 



Soil sampling

How much should you soil sample?  That depends on how accurate you want to be, but if I was going to plant an acre food plot, I would split the plot in half and take 6-8 soil cores (the cores make up each sample) from different spots in each half.  This will give you a good idea of what nutrients and pH characteristics your soil has.  Remember, try to sample around 12" deep to get the most accurate nutrient readings.  Check with your local cooperative for soil sample bags.

Fertilizer buggy

How do you know what to spread?  Your local fertilizer salesman or Ag cooperative will be able to help you understand your soil test results and give you a recommendation.  You can rent a fertilizer buggy from the local cooperative to spread the blend on yourself, or you can have them do it for you!   

Now your food plot is ready to be planted, but what should you plant and how should it be planted?  The next blog "Food Plots Part 2" will compare and contrast different crops and how they will affect your whitetail property.

Muddyhunter