Food Plot (Deer/Wildlife)

Wildlife food plots for deer and turkey differ fundamentally from crop or garden fertilization because the goal is maximum forage palatability and nutritional value rather than yield per acre. Research from Auburn University and Mississippi State's deer management programs consistently shows that properly fertilized food plots attract significantly more wildlife browsing than unfertilized plantings — deer seek out the higher-protein, more palatable forage that adequate nutrition produces. The fertilization strategy depends entirely on the forage species planted, which falls into two main categories: legumes (clovers, alfalfa, winter peas) that fix their own nitrogen from the atmosphere and need primarily phosphorus and potassium (6-24-24 is the classic food plot formula), and non-legumes (brassicas, cereal grains, chicory) that require supplemental nitrogen in addition to P and K. The most critical step in food plot fertility management is the soil test — more food plots fail from incorrect pH than from any other single factor. Most food plot forages need a pH of 6.0-7.0, and former woodland or abandoned agricultural sites in New England typically run acidic at 4.5-5.5, requiring significant lime application 3-6 months before planting. Lime is the single highest-return investment in any food plot program; without adequate pH, fertilizer nutrients remain locked in the soil and unavailable to plants regardless of how much is applied. Brassicas respond aggressively to nitrogen, and a top-dress application of urea 3-4 weeks after emergence can double or triple foliage production.