Planting Your Plot
Guideline for Seed Coverage
| Container |
Coverage |
| 2 lbs |
20 yds |
| 5 lbs |
30 yds |
| 10 lbs |
45 yds |
| 20 lbs |
65 yds |
| 55 lbs |
125 yds |
PREPARE THE SEED BED.
Weed control is the key. Wildlife will always eat the best
and leave the rest. If you don't get control of the weeds,
the good plants will get eaten down and the weeds will take
over. For test results in early spring, as the weeds begin to
grow, spray the plot site with herbicide. If you don't catch
the weeds early, mow or use a weed whacker to knock the weeds
down and then spray after weeds start to green up.
PLOW, ROTO-TILL, DISC, CULTIVATE, RAKE, HOE OR DRAG.
Do whatever it takes to break up the soil. It is essential that
the seeds make contact with the soil for proper germination and
growth. It is not necessary to get a 12 inch plow in there
and turn the soil over, just break the surface up.
SOIL TEST:
If you have selected a site that currently has weeds, grasses
or goldenrod growing there is no need to do a soil test. There
is enough nutrient to grow Northern Forage. Don't worry about
a soil test at this point. It should be noted that in the Cottage
Country of Ontario where soils are sandy, an application of lime may well
benefit the soil.
SPREADING THE SEED:
A little goes a long way. An inexpensive hand held spreader
is a great investment. Set at the lowest setting usually works
best.
Technically, 2 lbs = 1/4 acre; 10 lbs = 1 acre; 20 lbs = 2 acres;
55 lbs = 5 1/2 acres. Sow the equivalent of 6-8 individual
seeds in an area as big as your computer screen. If you are
going to hand throw the seeds, mix two parts of clean, dry
sand and one part of Northern Forage, then start hand throwing
the mix.
PLAN ON SOWING:
Sow seeds at least 4-6 weeks prior to the summer heat, right
before a heavy rain- April, May in the northern states. Late
summer planting should start as soon as the summer heat is
leaving and the fall rains are starting (Late July/August).
A seed bed that is worked up to a nice light broken up area, sowing the seeds
right before a rain will wash the seed into a great germination
location. Ideally roll the seeds in with a simple lawn roller
to insure seed to soil contact right after sowing the seeds.
With a good rain and sunlight, the Northern Forage should show
signs of growth in 7 - 12 days.
FERTILIZER:
10-10-10 or 8-32-16 works best with Northern Forage.
Your plot will dictate to you if fertilizer is necessary.
If everything looks good and healthy, don't bother. If you
see wilting or poor growth rates, spread fertilizer as needed.
It may be necessary to spot spray heavy weed growth early on
or simply weed whack fast growing weeds that may have been
missed in the earlier stages.
All you need after this is rain and sunlight.
Tips for keeping your forage food plot healthy from year to year.
Over seed last years food plot to make them like new again, or
start a new wildlife annuals only food plot with only the best
late season foods for deer and turkey. The mixture will bring
deer and turkey out in the open November and December. For
best results, over seeding as early as you can in the spring.
For plowed areas, plant in spring or start mid August to early
Sept.
I have run several experimental plots over the last two years here at Coe Hill
and found the best results were with liming and fertilizing with 19-19-19. I also
found that leaving the fern growth that came up along with the seeds did not
distract from the forage plot mix but seemed to shield it with no detrimental
effects to the forage production. If you would like to look at my test results
click here.
How do I get started
planting my wildlife food plot?
View Food Plots
View Our Coe Hill Experimental Plots
Bishops Seed Wildlife Forage Mix
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