Fertilizing Food Plots

Is it really necessary? I mean you planted the seed, you have gotten timely rains, the plants seem to be growing well enough. So is it worth the extra time and money to fertilize your food plots? First off have you done a soil test recently? Did the results of that soil test indicate that you had sufficient fertility levels to produce a crop at a high level? Is the pH of your food plot soil in a range that will allow for easy uptake of those nutrients by your crop? Scientific studies have shown that deer will actually choose a fertilized food plot over a food plot which has a lower level of fertility when located adjacent to each other. As we transition from late Winter into Spring protein content of forage becomes increasingly more important to deer. From does carrying developing fawns to bucks trying to regain body condition and grow a new set of antlers. Plant nitrogen levels are directly tied to the protein level of the forage being consumed. Plants lacking sufficient nitrogen are not as palatable or as high in protein. Nitrogen also plays a significant role in the amount of forage available. Most of us are limited to the number of acres and money we can devote to food plots, so it just seems logical that we would want those plants to provide as much food as possible. Some food plots if they are comprised of legumes, such as clover or soybeans, can produce enough nitrogen through their growing process. Maybe even sufficient amounts to supply nitrogen to other food plot plants that season or potentially the following growing season. Phosphorus makes up a high percentage of a deer's antlers. Adequate levels of other nutrients are also important in helping your food plot plants remain healthy enough to pull many of micronutrients from the soil that browsing deer are looking to consume. Plants in poor condition due to low fertility are also more susceptible to insect and disease issues.

I would never recommend applying fertilizer in a haphazardly way. Adding fertilizer for the sake of adding fertilizer is not the right approach. Some soils are naturally more fertile in terms of producing forage at a high level without the need to add any fertilizer. Often time though we find that clients overlook one important thing. With any luck your deer herd is ingesting that forage and using it to grow bigger bodies and antlers. So, overtime the deer could potentially reduce the fertility of your soil by the consumption of the plants you are growing on it. Depending on the types of food plot plants you grow you may be able to plant a diverse blend that will actually replenish through natural processes the fertility that is being used up by those growing plants. From plants that capture nitrogen from the air and other plants that are able to reach deeper into the soil profile and bring those nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium to the surface to be used by other plants. Keep in mind that natural soil fertility is just as important for plants growing outside of our food plots. Geographic regions that tend to have poor soils as a general rule produce deer with smaller bodies and antlers. Fertilizing the landscape in general is not practical or affordable in most instances. However, natural soil fertility is something that should be on your mind if you are in the market to purchase land for hunting purposes.