Step 1: Sample and test the soil where you are planning to start the deer food plot. You need to ensure there are enough of the proper nutrients in the soil. Take random soil samples throughout the area you intend to use for the food plot. Before you even break ground test your soil. Soil with a balanced pH allows the maximum soil-nutrients to reach the plants you are planting for forage. This also gives your deer the maximum potential for the nutrients they need out of your plots. pH is the measurement of the alkalinity and acidity of the soil.
Step 2: Size the food plot. While there is no set size for a deer food plot, it should be large enough to feed and attract quite a few deer. Generally, a food plot should be at least ΒΌ acre to 2 acres in size. The closer you build the food plot to a brushy, covered area, the more likely deer will be to frequent the plot, since they have a covered area in which to seek shelter. Food plots which typically get the most day time visits are usually smaller plots near old trails and logging roads that are surrounded by heavy timber or thick cover.
Step 3: Kill all the weeds in your food plot. Using a top grade herbicide like Round Up will help you establish a healthier more productive food plot as the desired food plot plants will not have to compete with the weeds and grass for nutrients and water. Most herbicides on the market require you to spray the food plot a week to ten days before you do any further work on the site. This gives the herbicide time to kill all the unwanted vegetation at the food plot site.
Step 4: Break ground for new food plot. It may be necessary to loosen the soil if it is severely compacted by either a tiller or disc. However, doing so will possibly promote new weed and grass growth from dormant seed in the soil. You may want to spray again if you feel the need too.
Step 5: Lime and fertilize your food plot. When fertilizers and lime are applied to a food plot, many chemical reactions take place instantly as well as over the course of several months. Those reactions will determine how efficiently the lime and fertilizers are utilized by the plants growing in your food plot. Once you have broken up the soil it is time to apply lime to your food plot based on the results of your soil testing. Lime recommendations are based on many factors the most important factor being the pH of your soil. Soil pH identifies the active alkalinity or acidity of your food plot. The pH scale is from 1 to 14. Food plot soil that is neutral has a value of 7.0 pH. When the pH level of your food plot is below 7.0, the soil is said to be acidic; when above 7.0, your food plot is considered to be alkaline. Having a high or low pH will affect your food plot plants ability to absorb nutrients needed for growth from the soil. Some food plot seeds are designed to be low pH tolerant and some are designed for high pH levels. Food plot seed from Buckboss will work best with a ph range of 6.0-7.0.
If you have had a professional soil test done, it should give you fertilizer requirements based on your soil sample.
Step 6: Decide which seed to plant. Soil temperatures should be above 55 degrees for best germination. The amount of seed you need depends on the size of the food plot and the type of crop you are planting. Don't over-seed the food plot. This could hamper the growing of the crop. Make sure the type of crop you decide to grow is not growing in any fields nearby. By giving the deer something different, they are more likely to frequent your food plot and property.
Step 7: Plant food plot seed at recommended planting rates found on your seed label. Broadcast seed and rake or drag seed into top 1/4" of soil surface. If you push the seed too deep into the soil the plant will use all of its energy trying to emerge and thus will hamper the seeds performance.
Step 8 : Watch your Buckboss seed grow and reap the benefits of your food plot. Great success comes with great planning and preparation. The rest is left up to nature.