In an effort to increase the health and size of the deer herds on their property, many land owners throughout the United States spend countless amounts of money and time to develop the most effective deer food plots. This effort is part of an ever increasing trend of deer management which is sweeping across the United States.
Beside the obvious health and nutritional value afforded to the whitetails who will eventually feast on these legumes, a well maintained food source will also attract increased numbers of mature whitetails. This becomes the crux of the motivation for deer hunters nationwide to ensure great food sources for the deer. Because as we all know, with increasing numbers, come increasing hunting opportunities.
In order to assist you in deciding what to plant on your property, we have written two articles separating the United States in half; North & South. As with our first article, the Mason-Dixon Line will be the divider for the country and this article will focus on planting in the South. As mentioned in the previous article, this is not meant to be an all inclusive breakdown and as always, nothing written here can replace trial and error and direct knowledge of the best forage to plant. However, this will give you a good base from which to begin the process of planting your food plots for whitetail deer.
Most warm season plants require temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or better as well as an adequate water base within the soil in order to germinate. Additionally, these plants are very sensitive to cold and are often decimated by frost. Therefore, any plantings should be done after the beginning of May and after some soaking rains to ensure an adequate water base in the soil. However, to maximize germination, keep an eye to the weather forecast and plant just before a rain event.
As with any type of planting you must know exactly what your soil needs prior to even considering your seed. In the southern states the soil is often very acidic, so to ensure proper ph levels for your plantings, test your soil. This will ensure proper fertilizing of your plots for the specific species you are planting.
Preparing the soil also includes creating a good seed bed. As part and parcel of this preparation, the fertilizer and lime which may be required after you complete your soil test should either be added just before of immediately after you plow. When plowing your food plots, plow as deep as possible, this will aid in getting these nutrients down to root level. Additionally, you should plow at least a month before planting. This allows the water to absorb into the soil and be stored for the long and dry summer months. Lastly, drag or cultipack the soil in order to make a firm seed bed.
Let's talk about seed selection. Proper selection, as was mentioned above, is dependent on the location and size of the food plot. Bear in mind that seeds, even from the same plant, are not always the same. There may need to be some seasonal testing with different species on your property to find not only the best growing crop, but the one most favored by the whitetail in your area.
Some excellent warm season legumes include soybeans and lablab. These choices provide the deer with much need protein, which is especially important in the development of a huge rack. Soybeans will produce large quantities of leaves quickly, while, lablab is extremely drought tolerant; an extremely important consideration in most southern states. Again, be sure to plant these seeds just ahead of a rain event. If you plan the weather properly, your lablab plots could be showing signs of life within a couple of days.
There are also commercial blends available which can provide much needed nutrition and prosper even during the hot summers of the South. Two of the best choices are BioLogic's Biomass and Tecomate's Buck Beans. Be sure that these plots are planted with additional plantings to help them survive the grazing pressure long enough to be a valuable food source. Additional protections you can employ for these food plots include visual, scent or physical barriers. No matter what protection you decide on for your crop, playing on the deer's normal wariness to keep them from grazing too soon will increase your chances of growing a successful crop.
There are many challenges to planting summer food plots in southern states. Soil preparation, seed selection and crop protection are but a few. You need to have access to an authority resource which, from experience, takes into account all the variables.
The bottom line is that having your hard work produce the results you desire is paramount. To be sure that you have the best resource for your deer food plots, visit my website.
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