Controlled burns and prescribed fire can produce outstanding areas for wildlife. Area re-growth after a controlled burn shown above.

 

Soil Samples-Getting Started

Soil samples are virtually a must for food plot success.  They are very easy to do and in North Carolina, the analysis is free.  Not one single input is less expensive or in general, more neglected by aspiring planters than the humble soil sample.  Every county in NC has a Cooperative Extension office and agents that can assist you with questions.  The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission biologists are an outstanding resource for the wildlife enthusiast.  Each district has a biologist and many counties actually have technicians working out of local field offices.  These folks are the field experts and we have found them to be more than accommodating with site recommendations and information.

 

 

Site Selection

In general, there are very few forest openings available for supplemental plots.  Most often, the best opportunities exist in former log landings and skid roads.  Below are 2 excellent examples of supplemental plots in openings created by logging activity.

Example of loging road used as a food plot

Log Landing Site

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January wheat field in a log landing.  Note the snow in the background.

Other opportunities exist in unused fields or they can coexist with other land uses.  This landowner took the opportunity to plant wheat between tree rows in a future pine plantation.

Plot Seed Selection

Our seed of choice for cool season food plots are annual rotations of wheat. Wheat is very cold tolerant and will provide quality forage throughout the winter months. It exhibits outstanding grazing tolerance and will respond very well to additional winter fertilizing.

Below is a wheat field in February and the deer trails leading into it.

wheat field in February and the deer trails leading into it

Wheat is very inexpensive to cultivate yet is arguably the most productive throughout the winter months and provides excellent food availability clear into the summer months.


 

 

 

Wheat field in May and the deer trails leading into it

We only recommend planting perennials for the most experience growers.  Most soils in western North Carolina tend to be acidic (average ph of 5.2) and very low available in phosphorus.  Alfalfa and clovers for example need soil ph to be in the 6.5-7.0 range and  are very dependent on higher soil phosphorus levels.  Furthermore, most perennial seeds and herbicides are expensive.  In comparison to wheat, the seeds are tiny, have very little reserve energy and far more difficult to successfully germinate into adult plants. 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Wildlife Resource biologists with wheat in June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Clover and alfalfa seeds (left) with wheat on the right.

In comparison to wheat as shown before in earlier photos, perennials exhibit very little cold tolerance and provide very little available winter forage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our answer to boost the perennial’s lack of cold weather production is to add wheat before fall bush hogging.

Imperial Whitetail Clover in March.

Close up of perennial clover/chicory plot with wheat added. Note the browse line on the wheat above the chicory!

As for brassicas, rape, turnips etc we don’t plant them.  Their relative production and grazing resistance are very low in comparison to wheat and are far more complex and
expensive to grow.

For more comprehensive data on growing food plots, please refer to Successful Food Plots in the Mid-South by Dr. Craig Harper; the website of NCWRC or your local county extension agent.   (Add links)