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Wildlifeseeds.com
- All about Planting Food Plots |
PREPARING SEEDING SITES
| All food plot plantings should begin by plowing,
tilling or working the soil in some manner, smoothing and firming the seed bed to provide
the best possible contact of soil to seed for the best germination and root development.
Harrowing or tilling your
food plot areas is the best way to prepare the soil for planting.
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You can rent roto-tillers from lawn equipment places that can be used in your harder to get to food
plots if the site is too small for harrowing.
The rate of success for planting food plots depends on
the effort put forth by the grower. Preparation for a really good plot that can be used
for many seasons begins with the taking of a soil test. This is an inexpensive way to make
the most of the efforts put into planning and actually getting good results. Many times
several people will go in together and plant several plots, sharing equipment, labor and
the cost of fertilizer and seeds by buying in larger quantities. Soil tests are used to
determine the amount of nutrients that may need to added to the soil. Soil test also can
indicate how much or how little actual fertilizer will be needed. Although many legumes
are used in the food plots and they will not need much fertilizer; the other seeds that
are usually planted from mixes will need extra to grow and produce more than just foliage.
USE A WILD
GAME FERTILIZER
FOR BEST RESULTS!
Seedland sells the BEST Food Plot Fertilizer Available
that you can use!
Read or ask questions about diets of the wildlife that can be attracted to the area that
your plot will be planted. Wildlife are like people and when given a choice will prefer
some plants over others. Study also the area to be planted for water locations. All
animals need water in one form or the other. In dry years the plants don't get enough dew
or rain to supply moisture for those animals who usually get enough water simply by eating
forage material. Birds need dusting sites as well as bathing sites. Plan your site for the
best vantage area to viewing the finished project. Some brush and overgrowth may
need mowing or removing. Well planned; these sites can offer hours of family
excursions to learn about the habits of your native wildlife population that they and you
may never have seen before.
Herbicides or pesticides should never be used except in extreme cases and completely
follow the directions. Herbicides may kill cover that is supplying a home, food, or hiding
place from larger predators. The best plan would be to contact the local wildlife agency
and get suggestions to best suit your problem in the least destructive way and using the
correct herbicides for the removal of the problem.
When fully prepared to plant add soil amendments accordingly, keeping in mind that most
wooded areas are acidic and low in phosphorus and when soil tests are not taken put down
approximately 1000 lb. lime and 300-500 lb. fertilizer (15-5-10,
10-10-10 or 5-20-20) to the acre. Wild
Game Fertilizer is an excellent blend that provides for your
food plot needs. Broadcast spreaders are the easiest planting method for small areas and drill
planting is the easiest in larger tracts of land. Cover the seeds by raking, lightly
harrowing or dragging the ground. Most seeds that are planted for food plots have a
coverage rate of ¼ to ½ deep. If at all possible water or plant just before a good rain
to hasten growth. Try not to plant your seeds deeper than 1".Clovers are
just one of the seeds that are very tiny and covering too deep will results in little if
any coming up
Introduction to
Planting Food Plots
Presented by Pennington
Seed
Pennington's Wildlife Catalog of Seed for
Wildlife Food Plots offers you a unique guide for establishing
food plots to attract and hold wildlife. Each of the varieties
or mixes in this book have planting information to help you
establish productive food plots. To supplement these directions,
we offer the following tips on basic planting practices:
- 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.
- Always prepare the soil by plowing, smoothing and
firming the seedbed. Good seed-soil contact is essential for
a thick, productive stand.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- A minimum of 50% sunshine is essential for a healthy,
productive food plot. The reverse is generally true in the
winter.
- 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.
- You may want to keep a record of each plot which can
include planting and fertilizer information and number of
animals observed or harvested.
- 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.
These simple tips along with specific information on seeding
rates and times 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.
Pennington Seed is proud to offer wildlife seed to improve your
wildlife habitat. Our varieties and various mixes have been
field tested for many years on the Pennington hunting preserve
and are the finest products on the market today.
Read Planting Methods for Wildlife
Products
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Huntland.com
Growing a wild tomorrow!®
Huntland®.com is a division of Seedland,
Inc.
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