Whitetail Food Plot, Part 2

This is a continuation of my first article where wethat happens, I simply plant some more in the
covered the site location and preparation of aexact same way I did the first time. I do not
whitetail food plot. Now I am going to get into thedisturb the soil. Along about July, I will have more
planting part of it. Everything I shared with you inweeds and grasses rear their ugly heads and I will
my initial article is about to come into play.treat them as I did earlier.
Most people would be spreading their high qualityNow it's about the middle of August. The little
seed over their whitetail food plot and in a shortsection of chicory/clover is eaten to the ground,
period of time it would germinate, along with theand the soybeans are history. But, and this is the
weeds and grasses and the battle would be on.good part, the undesirables are gone. It's now
Of course, it's a battle most are going to lose,time to bring out the high quality seed and plant a
and come hunting season the effort theywhitetail food plot that will last. Piece of cake. The
expended in the spring is lost. So what happens?hard part is already over.
They get to start all over the next year andVariety is the spice of life and that is what I am
most probably will end up with the same results.going to offer the deer. So what I am going to
So you can avoid this, I am now going to sharedo now is section off my whitetail food plot and
with you what I plant, how I plant, and why Iplant Imperial Whitetail Clover, Imperial Chicory
plant it.Plus, Imperial Extreme and Imperial Winter Greens.
The first thing I do is spread the amount ofIt is important that I do not disturb the soil as I
fertilizer my soil test called for. Then I take aboutdo not want to turn over any more undesirable
1/4 of my food plot and using a hand spreader Iseeds. I simply broadcast and roll to achieve good
broadcast a clover/chicory blend. Now get ready.soil contact. I will try and do this just before a
Here it comes. Soybeans! That's right. Rounduprain. Then, come the first of October when
ready soybeans. I broadcast these at about 30bowhunting season opens, I will have a plush and
lbs. per acre. You do not want to have the beanspretty much weedless whitetail food plot.
come in very thick. Then I roll the plot once againThe first or second week of September, I will
to make sure all the seed has good soil contact.re-disc the small section I sacrificed earlier and
What I am doing here is sacrificing a small portionplant Buck Forage Oats. They, along with Imperial
a my food plot by planting the chicory/clover mix,Winter Greens, will last well into the winter. Now, I
and taking control of the main food plot.will re-fertilize the entire food plot and call it a day.
As the plantings begin to grow, so will theThe seed that I planted is perennial, so in the
undesirable weeds and grasses. And that isspring my whitetail food plot will come in lush with
exactly what I want. When they reach a heightvery few weeds. The Oats and Winter Greens
of about 4", I spray the soybean portion of myare annuals so they must be replanted every fall.
food plot with a good herbicide. Bingo, thePlease note. After the initial preparation, I never
undesirables are gone for now, but most likely notdisturbed the soil of the main plot. Remembering
for good. I must mention one thing here. I neverthis is vital to the long term success of a whitetail
let the weeds and grasses go to seed. I sprayfood plot.
before they reach that point. If I don't, thenA few things I need to mention are: (1) I live in
everything I've done so far is out the window.Indiana so adjust your planting times accordingly;
What I have created so far is a whitetail food(2) never use a bush hog or mower on your
plot that the deer will visit. It has a little variety.whitetail food plot without thoroughly cleaning it
But let's face it, the deer will mow the soybeansfirst; and (3) if you missed the first part of this
down in short order. At least I hope they do. Ifarticle, you can find it on my blog.