How to Plant Food Plots in Wisconsin
- 1). Decide where you to plant your food plot. You'd be well advised to plant it close to where wildlife spend their winters. Also consider the size of your food plot. Most food plots usually cover 1,000 square feet. You may want to buy a USGS topographical map to help plan your plot.
- 2). Test soil for nutrients. Planting in soil with optimal nutrient levels will ensure the success of wildlife food plot. Get a soil testing kit from your local outdoor store or online. Or you can collect and deliver a soil sample to your county's University of Wisconsin Extension office for testing. There's a small fee for the testing and followup recommendations, which should come within two weeks. Based on your soil test results, you may need to fertilize the land before planting seeds.
- 3). Plant seeds. The crop you choose depends on what type of wildlife is in your area. Common crops in Wisconsin food plots include soybeans, corn, clover, alfalfa, buckwheat, sorghum, millet and sunflowers. You must time the planting correctly. Most crops should be planted between April and May for fall maturity. Clover, buckwheat and millet should be planted between May and July. Rye can be planted in the spring or as late as August.
- 4). Maintain the crops. You may need to water them if it doesn't rain enough. Remove any invasive weeds by applying herbicide. Be sure to use a formula that will not affect your seedlings.