food plot

[sussexhunter]

Has anyone tried Secret Spot for making a food plot. If so tell me all about it. Did you like it or hate it. I want to make a food plot this year but dont want to spend a lot and these seems like a good solution.

[PY Antlers]

I always plant my food plots in a secret spot. It doesn't pay to skimp on cost when putting one either, found that out the hard way. BioLogic on top of lime and 100 lb per acre of 13-13-13

[BarnesX.308]

We've been doing food plots for a few years and here's what I learned.

Soil prep is the most important thing.

Even with the no-till stuff, at least loosen the dirt up real nice with a hard rake. Make sure the seeds have good soil contact.

Lime and fertalizer are a must.

[sussexhunter]

Thanks for the advice. I was actually referring to Secret Spot as in the brand from whitetail institute. As far as the lime and fertilizer, do you need to give the soil time after applying them before actually spreading the seed or can you put the lime and fertilizer down and then seed at the same time. also can I just weed wack and till everything or do I have to spray herbicide. I dont mind a few weeds here and there I just dont want them to over run the actual food plot.

[iSnipe]

I do concur and agree with the other posters about the soil prep. You can have the best seeds, but if the soil conditions are not right, you won't have decent coverage worth the effort. Some products may tell you what the best soil PH is to be. What you can do is take a few dirt samples from different parts of the plot and have them analyzed. From that you can learn how to next prep the soil, fertilize and lime, etc. Might as well do it right and asking questions is a good way to start!

iSnipe

[Soilman]

You don't have to spray herbicide, but it sure does help control weeds. After a plot is established, herbicides can keep it going longer by eliminating the weeds. Mowing can work, especially on small plots, but it does depend on the weeds present (perennial weeds are tougher to control by mowing).

Fertilizer can be applied at planting. Lime takes over 1 year to fully neutralize soil acidity. That said, you can plant grasses (corn, winter rye, oats) while waiting for the lime to work. If you are close to the optimum pH (0.3 or less from ideal pH) but need a little lime, you could go right into whatever you intended to plant.

Take a soil sample, and send it to a local lab (see link) http://ag.udel.edu/other_websites/DSTP/forms1.htm Growing food plots can be a lot of fun, if you are willing to do some research and some work,

[BarnesX.308]

Give the lime and fertilizer a couple weeks to work into the soil. Lime won't usually hurt the seeds or plants, but too much fertilizer can. If it rains, so much the better wash the stuff into the soil.

[SWThomas]

Moved to the Food Plot forum....

[syrupman]

you dont need lime or fertilizer if your planning on planting a bioliogic type mix...i always harrow my food plots throughout the year just when we have it hooked up and have time

[M.Magis]

Originally Posted by syrupman

you dont need lime or fertilizer if your planning on planting a bioliogic type mix.

That's rediculous. All plants need food.