Introduction:

Now that the preparation phase has been completed it's time to put seed in the ground! Remember the objective going into the planting phase is to have prepared a good seed bed that will promote seed to soil contact. But before you start sowing seeds there is still work to be done. Based on your decisions in the Planning Phase you should know what type of seed you will be planting. But if you haven't made those decisions yet then it's time to decide what you will plant. Based on the equipment you have available, the size of the plot, how often you plan on replanting the plot, target species to attract (hopefully turkeys) and your budget, some choices will be in front of you as to what kind of seed to plant.

If you intend to plant soybeans or corn you may want to give some consideration to the Round-Up Ready varieties. These varieties are resistant to the herbicide Round-Up which makes spraying for weeds easier once the plants have germinated. Round-Up doesn't require a pesticide license to purchase like other herbicides typically used to control weeds in corn and soybeans. Although the seed is initially a little more expensive it can pay for itself by not having to purchase large quantities of other types of herbicides.

Annuals vs. Perennials

Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one season and then have to be replanted the next. Perennials return year after year and do not require replanting on a yearly basis. In food plot terminology corn, sorghum and soy beans would be good examples of annual plants. Clover and alfalfa would be examples of perennial plants. Depending on the objectives of your food plot, how much land you have available to plant, and when you hope to provide the nutrition to your target species, can also enter into the decision on what to plant. For example I have found that if I do not plant corn on a yearly basis the turkeys frequenting my property will leave in the winter. But if I have corn planted I can be sure that the turkeys will remain in my area all year long, especially in the advent of a hard winter. Another example of knowing what to plant and when you expect your target species to utilize it is planting brassica for deer. Brassica is an annual that is highly attractive to deer after the first killing frost. The sugar content in the leaves rises after that first hard frost and the plant becomes more attractive to deer. But if you want to provide a high protein food supply to deer in the late summer then soy beans would be a good choice.

Seed Outlets

Seed can be obtained from various sources including sporting goods stores, mail order catalogs, online, farm outlets and organizations like the NWTF. If you are going to get your seed from local outlets like sporting goods stores or farm outlets check the test date on the bag of seed. Some local outlets have seed sitting on the shelf from year to year and although most seed will retain good germination rates you might as well buy the freshest seed available.

Something I learned the hard way is that the germination rate for soybeans plummets after the first year. The first time I planted soybeans I ended up with an extra bag and figured I could plant it the following year. My first planting was very successful with good germination and bean production. When I planted the same seed one year later I was very disappointed with the results. When I asked the local dealer where I had bought the seed before, he told me the bad news about the germination rate of soybeans after one year. You might as well get the freshest seed you possibly can so check the test date on the bag before you buy.

A couple types of seed that I have had good luck with are the Round-Up Ready varieties, corn and
soybeans, from Hubner Seed Company. I've also had good luck with Shot Plot, a brassica mix, from Evolved Habitats. Two of my all time favorites are Infinity and Fall Slam from Whitetail Select. Infinity is a clover and alfalfa mix that also has some brassica too. I plant Infinity in plots that I want to maintain for several years but I get a quick attractant with the brassica in the mix. Fall Slam was the very first mix I ever planted and my results were phenomenal. Prior to trying Fall Slam all my plots had been planted with just one type of seed. With a mix of annuals and perennials, I tried Fall Slam for the diversity that a mix can provide. I was amazed at how well it attracted deer and turkeys. I've even extended the life of my Fall Slam plots by a couple years because the clovers were doing so well after the first year that I just couldn't bear plowing them under and replanting.

Best Time to Plant

Depending on the seed selected will depend when to plant the seed. Some species like corn and soybeans need to have a minimum soil temperature, above 50 degrees, to germinate. Some seed, like brassica, can be planted later in the season and still create an attractive food plot. Clover seed can be planted early as well as late in the season. Knowing what you want to attract and when you would like to attract it; will help determine when and what to plant. If you would like to attract deer to your plot and you may have had bad weather in the early spring planting brassica might be a good choice.

Whenever possible we want to plant prior to a good gentle rain and not just before a long dry spell. This is always a difficult decision as predicting the weather has never been an easy chore. Certainly looking at averages from year to year will help but weather forecasting isn't a foolproof science. Last September I planted a late season clover plot. Just hours after setting the seed a light rain shower fell. I thought what great timing I was having choosing that day to plant the seed. That was the last precipitation the plot got for another 5 or 6 weeks! Although it survived, the plot would have been much healthier if average rainfall would have fallen the rest of September and October.

Preparing the Seed

Some seed like legumes, clover and soybeans; require inoculants to give them a jump start to germination. Some legumes, especially those seeds bought through the food plot companies, come pre-coated with inoculants and other things that give the seed a jump start to germination. Of course this seed is being sold by weight and you end up paying for more than just seed. If you buy clover seed from a farm outlet ask if the seed requires inoculants and purchase it at the same time. Applying inoculants is easy. I use a plastic bucket to mix the seed and the inoculants together.

Sowing the Seed

There are several ways to sow the seed but it depends on what seed will be planted. Clover and brassica should not be planted very deep but corn and soybeans need to be planted 1 ½ inches to 2 inches deep. I plant my corn with a four row planter that plants and fertilizes at the same time. I use the same planter for soybeans although the rows are much farther apart than needed.

Sowing clover or brassica seed is much easier. If the plot is relatively small, ½ acre or less, I usually use a hand spreader. If the plot is larger then a broadcast spreader on an ATV or tractor is ideal. Once the clover or brassica seed is planted I use an ATV dragging a section of chain link fence to set the seed. Don't drag the plot too much or you'll bury the seed too deep and good germination will not occur.

Planting corn.

Planting clover with a hand spreader.

Conclusion:

The planting phase is complete once the seed is planted and set. This is the culmination of all the hard work and planning you did prior to planting. If you did a good job eliminating weeds and creating a good seed bed, and you are blessed with some rainfall, you should start seeing germination in a couple of weeks. If you've planted corn or soybeans your next activity will be weed control. If you've planted clover, brassica, or a mix, your plot will begin attracting wildlife not long after germination. In the next segment I will discuss maintaining your food plots.

Some critters just can't wait for your food plot to grow!.