Any hunter worth their salt wants just the best for their local deer population. And they reap the rewards in the form of healthier and larger deer over time. This is where creating a good food plot can help you accomplish this goal. While it’s not that difficult for anyone to buy some good quality seeds and fertilizers to make a food plot, and that's what hunters usually do, if you want to make the most of today’s food science, you can achieve far better yield and faster growth with minimal risk of error. This can be done by performing a soil test before you make any kind of investment in a food plot. This simple step will not only help you save time and effort in the long run, but it will also produce more nutrient-rich food for the local deer population.
The importance of Soil Test
There are many types of soil tests available on the market. Most of them cost as little as $15. Some homeowners also choose to buy a rapid test from online suppliers or their local home improvement stores. A good thing about these rapid tests is that they can deliver results almost instantly. However, on the flip side, the results are not highly accurate. For this reason, experts recommend buying a lab-based test for more accurate and detailed results.
To get highly detailed results of your soil test, all you have to do is fill out some basic information in your form and send it for evaluation. The results will include everything on what to add and what to avoid in order to maximize the growth and quality of the plants in your food plot.
How to Test Your Soil?
Once you have received the testing kit, you’ll need to get a few more tools. Firstly, you’ll need a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Secondly, you’re going to need a soil probe which can be either nickel/chrome or stainless steel plated. And also make sure to get a shovel as well.
Then you need to take soil from the area where you want to create your food plot. While taking samples, collect soil up to 3-5 inches in depth. In case, if you have a larger food plot, you may need to collect more samples. In most cases, taking 6 to 12 samples would be more than sufficient. But, make sure to take samples from all parts of the food plot.
Once you’ve collected all the samples in your 5-gallon bucket, mix it well. In some test kits, you can put only one small soil sample. In such cases, mixing all the samples will give you an average sample of your soil.
How to Interpret Your Soil Test Results?
If you choose the county extension office to perform your soil test, they will provide you with a very detailed and easy-to-understand report after they’re done examining your sample. From this report, you can gather all the crucial information including the nutrient levels in your soil along with the best recommendations to improve the quality of the soil. This is, in fact, the best way, to remove all the guesswork when it comes to making the most of your food plot.
Always remember to purchase a commercial fertilizer with a 10-10-10 ratio. For the uninitiated, this ratio simply refers to the percentage of each nutrient in the fertilizer. For instance, if you buy one with a 10-10-10 ratio, your fertilizer has 10% of Nitrogen, 10% phosphate, and 10 % of Potash in it. So, in a 100-pound bag, you’ll get 10 pounds of each of these three nutrients, along with the filler. Make sure to read the label carefully when buying fertilizer for your food plot.
You can even choose a more advanced mix than the regular 10-10-10 ratio fertilizer. However, we recommend using your soil test report to create fertilizer with a custom ratio from a trusted company.
Manu hunters may think of this as a waste of time when it comes to creating their food plot. But soil testing is not as complicated and time-consuming as it might seem to you. It won't take more than an hour but it can make a world of difference in the yield and quality of your food plants.
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