Food Plot Seeds for Wildlife
From Planting To Maintaining
Food Plots & Wildlife Management

VIEW LIST OF SEEDS USED FOR WILDLIFE FOOD PLOTS   Info on various food plot seed mixtures you can plant.  Birds | Deer | Dove | Ducks | Quail | Turkeys | Wildlife

Food Plots Benefit All Creatures Wildlife enthusiasts, and conservationists are using food plots to attract wildlife, add supplements, promote more sightings and help improve the health of the indigenous as well as the migratory wildlife. The planting of food plots will lessen the impact of the encroachment of man on wildlife habitat. Whether you like to hunt, sight or simply help wildlife animals, planting food plots helps the environment as a whole.  We all know that every organism or animal in life has a connection with all others. If a species is allowed to be destroyed, it will in some way affect the whole.  By planting food plots you are providing shelter and a food source for everything from insects up to the targeted wildlife even yourself. Welcome to our sight where we have details on planting food plots, maintaining food plots, and wildlife management. We also offer quality food plot seed along with detailed instructions. Please browse our site and if you have questions feel free to contact us! Wildlife Feeders are also a way to attract and help wildlife. Wildlife feeders can be placed in areas that food plots cannot be planted. Feeders may also be used to supplement food plots. For more information on deer, fish and wildlife feeders please visit our site http://www.huntland.com/ where we carry a full line of OnTime and Moultrie feeders and wildlife cameras along with hunting tips.

Food Plot Success Through Wildlife Management

Successful food plot management is designed to incorporate the maximum use of annual and perennial food sources. Food plots should provide yearly food, shelter, reproductive areas, nursery conditions, etc. They should cover a wide range of uses according to the species.

Animal plots are not much different in the planting and care than human food sources (vegetable gardens) are. They generally must be cultivated in some way, seeded whether manually or by machine, fertilized, weeded if necessary, watered if possible, to achieve the maximum benefit expected from the food plot. The basic difference in human and wildlife plantings is that pesticides and herbicides are used only in extreme cases in wildlife plots.

There may be some plants that shouldn't be introduced to the area  because of their aggressiveness or unsuitability to the native surroundings. Don’t be afraid to try something new, but ask first. The planting of annuals is sometimes safer if you have not planted food plots before. Annuals die out yearly. Perennials can be added through the year when you have established exactly the the extent of wildlife that will use the plots.  Remember, you can actually hurt the food sources available to game in your area if you introduce an aggressive plant species that chokes out the native plants.

Anything from flowers, grasses, forage crops, weeds to berry producing trees and hedges along with grains may be grown to attract different wildlife to your area. Many plot growers are learning about the importance of tree planting. Trees that offer fruit, nuts and acorns, attract all kinds of wildlife with the advantage of habitat and protection. Check the area that is to be planted for a nearby water supply. Maybe a small pond or swamp area can be developed or can be improved upon. For more information on food plot management visit our Managing Wildlife page.

Planting Food Plots

When it comes to deciding which seed to plant for your particular wildlife food plot things may get a little confusing. This is why we have loads of information under food plot help in our menu as well as a menu of individual seeds that you may wish to browse through.

But the real question is how to plant and maintain your food plots. We offer these simple steps here:*

1. Always lime and fertilize, because most woodland soils are low in phosphorus and tend to be acidic. A soil test will tell you how much to use, and information on taking soil tests can be obtained from your local County Extension Office here.

2. Always prepare the soil by plowing, smoothing and firming the seedbed. Good seed-soil contact is essential for a thick, productive stand.

3. Broadcast seeding by hand or with a spreader can produce good results if you are careful to cover most seed no deeper than ½ inch and use a log, heavy drag, or culti packer to firm the soil after planting.

4. Select a site that is long and narrow with curves or bends to provide a sense of safety for wildlife. This is essential for deer and turkey. A rule of thumb is ¼ acre of food plot to 10 acres of habitat.

5. Avoid drought prone sites such as deep stands or shallow rocky soils. Southwest facing sites are hotter in the summer and tend to dry out faster than bottomland. Plant warm season plots in areas with afternoon shade.  The reverse is generally true for cool season plots.

6. A minimum of 50% sunshine is essential for a healthy, productive food plot.

7. Grow something in your food plots year round to provide adequate nutrition for wildlife. Plowing strips and planting into existing plots is an excellent way to extend the productivity of the plot and hold wildlife all year long.

8. You may want to keep a record of each plot which can include planting and fertilizer information and number of animals observed or harvested.

9. Wire cages placed in the food plots that keep deer from grazing will provide you with valuable information on how productive the varieties are and how much forage is being grazed.

*For more detailed food Plot planting information see Planting Food Plots in our menu. Also download the Complete Biologic Catalog (PDF)

These simple tips along with specific information on seeding rates and times found in our Planting Guide and through out our site should give you the basics to grow abundant year round food for your wildlife. Growing food plots is an economical and legal way to produce larger, healthier animals and increase your hunting success or wildlife sightings. Planting food plots for wildlife is legal in most areas of the United States if you follow normal agricultural practices. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service Office and State Game Commission for specific information.

Quality Food Plot Seed At Wildlifeseeds.com we offer a wide range of seeds for planting food plots, including many customized mixes (such as our Natural Game Mix pictured at right). all created especially for specific game preferences. Our Wildlife seed products are shipped directly to you for planting at your convenience.