“What started out as a tactic to improve the hunting on our property has evolved into a way of improving the land for future generations, providing adequate food and cover, and serving as stewards of the land.”
Nearly 10 years ago today, we began planting crops on our property with the goal of providing substantial amounts of food and cover for the animals. It’s crazy to think back to how dismal our crops were back then, how different the gear was, and the many lessons that we’ve learned along the way.
What started out as a tactic to improve the hunting on our property has evolved into a way of improving the land for future generations, providing adequate food and cover, and serving as stewards of the land. After a long, cold winter, spring is the perfect opportunity to spend more time outside. With planting season in full swing, here are a few tips that we’ve learned along the way to help better manage your food plots:
Spring is in the air; as the temperatures continue to rise and flowers are beginning to bloom, new life engulfs the woods as the forest comes alive. The longer days that springtime brings are a welcome change, but the work doesn’t stop simply because the sun sets. Having a sock that utilizes premium materials and provides the perfect fit like FITS do is vital to ensuring that your feet can work as hard as you do without the sock rubbing, causing blisters, or wearing out. All of the hard work and preparation performed this time of the year will definitely pay dividends in the future.
Planting more than 600 trees primarily for deer and turkey may sound a little extreme to some people, but for us it's all part of the journey. Sore hands are a small price to pay for adequate food and cover for the coming years.
One of the most important lessons that we’ve learned over the years is to test your soil before you put any seeds in the ground; it truly is the most important step to ensure food plot success. It’ll show you how much lime and fertilizer is required and helps you make sure you’re not buying more than is absolutely necessary.
After the dirt has been turned over, the fertilizer has been spread, and the ground has been culti-packed, the soil is ready to be seeded. It’s amazing the results that can be achieved in just a few short weeks with a little hard work, sun, and water.
There can be quite the learning curve when planting food plots, but the work is always worth it in my opinion. It's no different than anything else in this world; if you want to be successful at something, you're going to have to work at it. With a little hard work, determination, and help from mother nature, your food plots will thrive and all of the work will pay off immensely when it comes to hunting season.