when to plant food plots?

[davies2097]

I am planning on putting in a couple of small food plots this year. I am planting the "No Till" by Whitetail Institute. I don't know if if I should plant it in the spring or wait until fall. If I planted a 2 acre food plot in april would it last until deer season? Please help me out on this one. This is my first food plot and I don't really have any idea what I am doing.

[FFKEVIN]

Davies,

My advice would be to get a soil sample now and see what your soil needs in the way of lime & fertilizer. Do the lime and fertilizer now. (Along with roundup to kill everything) Then you can seed this fall and draw in the deer for hunting season.

We tried to do some plots last year and we did not correct the soil Ph and got very disappointing results. (No soil sample :tsk: )

This year we got a soil sample and we are going down next weekend to spread lime & fertilizer. (Lime can take up to 2 - 3 months before it brings up the Ph in the soil) Then we are going to seed for a fall planting.

That my 2 cents.

GOOD LUCK!!! :biggrin:

[WRS77]

I agree get a soil sample first, It's hard to do a good planting when your nor sure what your planting in. Get your soil tested and then add your lime now. Most of our planting season here for plots is begining of May because of the frost we get here, so you have time.

[OhioStuds2310]

I agree as well. I would get a soil sample and make sure your PH is where it needs to be or else you'll find yourself putting in a lot of time planting with no results to show in the fall. I suggest using 10-10-10 fertilizer nothing stronger because you will burn it up, I've learned from experience on that one. Other than checking your Ph and being careful with your application of fertilizer I'd say start planting as soon as possible. Make an awkard shaped plot, no ordinary shapes. Hour class or horshoe is the best. Good Luck!

[Patriot1]

i would suggest planting no-till in the fall