Deer plot planting is just about complete. We may have a few slow pokes left, but most of us finished several weeks ago due to a great planting season.

I have observed some great looking fields and a few that could stand some improvement. Let’s look back and think about our planting process and determine if we did things that would give us a chance for a great food plot.

None of us can control the weather. Food plots need water, but everything else is in our control.
First we need to soil sample and determine our fertility level and especially our ph level. Plots will not grow with a low ph. We need a ph range around 6.0 or a little above. Please don;’t hope your ph level is ok. Plots will not grow and be nutritious with a poor ph level. Please soil test or purchase a good ph meter that has batteries and can be used for years. We have these available and these meters are accurate.

After handling our ph, we can then consider our fertilizer. We suggest that you use a fertilizer with a minor element package with slow release nitrogen. Minor elements are like salt and pepper in your food that you eat. Minor elements give the growing plant a good taste. Slow release nitrogen feeds the plant over an extended period. It’s always good to top dress with nitrogen during January.
If you have taken care of the things just mentioned, you have many good choices for planting your food plots and they will be a great success.
The old standard deer plot consists of a Big Buck Blend of wheat, oats, ryegrass, grain rye, and clover. Some mixes take out the clover and add Austrian winter peas. We have a big blender and can blend any mix you might need.

We have many other products such as Buck Forage Oats, Tecomate products such as Monster Mix, Chicory, and Max Attract 50/50, Bio-Logic products such as NZ Maximum, Full Draw and Green Patch Plus, and White Tail Institute products such as Clover and No Plow. Alfalfa and all types clovers are available. All of our Big Buck Blends are coated with Rackmax, a plant growth stimulant. This product speeds growth and increases chlorophyll which gives the plant more sugars and a sweeter taste.
To bring deer to your area for the kill. Spring plantings are for growing antlers. Really, growing antlers is a year round job.

During the early spring, fertilize your natural vegetation. This procedure is one of the best tools we have and very few of us fertilize our natural growing plants. You can also plant corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, iron and clay peas, and sunflower seeds or a mixture of any or all of the above for your Spring plots.
We also have the Trophy Rock which is a great mineral/salt block that the deer really like. It is also legal to hunt over as verified by the game warden in Montgomery.

We have been in the seed business for over thirty years and I can truly make this statement. It’s not what you plant that makes a great plot, but how you prepare and handle your plot.
Give us a call at (205) 838-1400 for any questions and tune in to Ronnie Smith Outdoor Adventure Show on tv and radio. You can also check Ronnie’s web site at
www.ronniesmithsoutdoor.com.

Pete Hunter
Universal Seed & Supply
Birmingham, AL 35210.