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 Frequently
Asked Questions:
We understand that preparing a food plot is an involved
process. The Outdoorsman Supply Prostaff is here to answer your questions. We
compiled the questions we hear the most and posted them along with their answers
below. Even if you're ready to plant, take a look for tips. Can't find the
answer to your question? Ask the Prostaff. |
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Questions:
Why should I plant BioLogic?
When should I plant BioLogic seeds?
Can I plant BioLogic seeds in an unprepared seed bed (ie. cutover)?
What steps should I take to prepare my seed bed?
What does pH level mean and how can I test my soil?
When should I lime my seed bed?
How can my soils pH level affect the outcome of my food plot?
How much Lime should I use on my seed bed?
How much and what type of Fertilizer should I use?
Can I broadcast my seeds by hand?
Do I have to water?
Do I need to replant every year?
What BioLogic products should I plant to insure proper antler
growth?
What products does BioLogic offer for Waterfowl?
Can BioLogic's Waterfowl Forage be planted in water?
I have weeds in my food plot, can I use a weed killer or thinner?
Question:
Why should I plant BioLogic?
Answer:
Before BioLogic was introduced, most sportsmen established food plots for deer
by planting small grains such as wheat, oats, and rye or various clover
varieties. Of these crops, clovers were considered the most technically
advanced. Many of them were introduced into the states over 50 years ago as
forage for cattle. During the last few years, several varieties of these
clovers have been blended together in a effort to create deer forage.
Brassicas, which is the family of plants included in BioLogic, made a huge
presence in the North American deer world during 1998. That’s when they were
introduced to sportsmen as a primary component of Mossy Oak’s BioLogic deer
forage blends. For many years, Brassicas have been recognized by forage
researchers and nutritionists for their digestibility and nutritional quality.
Brassicas are a group of plants that naturally have a high yield, are very
nutritious, and extremely digestible. They also are relatively easy to
crossbreed. Because of these characteristics, they have been used in New
Zealand for 30+ years as the primary forage grown on deer farms. New Zealand
researchers have developed several cultivars of forage Brassicas with
characteristics that make them excellent deer forage. The yield, palatability,
and digestibility is unrivaled by any of the plant species typically planted
for deer forage in North America.
Question:
When should I plant BioLogic seeds?
Answer:
Planting times on BioLogic seeds vary by product. To find out the suggested
planting times on different BioLogic products
Click Here.
Question:
Can I plant BioLogic seeds in an unprepared seed bed (ie. cutover)?
Answer:
BioLogic products can be top sewn with marginal success in an unprepared seed
bed, however, the seeding rate should be slightly higher. If you are looking
to achieve a lush food plot, top sewing in an unprepared seed bed is not
recommend by BioLogic. Click Here to view our "How-to
Plant" section for tips on how to prepare and plant your seed bed.
Question:
What steps should I take to prepare my seed bed?
Answer:
Because most seeds do not fair well when broadcast on an unprepared seed bed
taking the proper steps of preparation will greatly increase your success
rate. Click Here to go to our
How-to Plant
page for more details on how to properly prepare your seed bed.
Question:
What does pH level mean and how can I test my soil?
Answer:
pH level refers to the acidity of your soil. The scale runs from 0 to 14 with
7 being neutral. Your goal should be to bring the pH level of you soil as
close to 7 as possible. Most soils in North America will test between 0-6,
meaning they are too acidic. If your soil is too acidic you need to add lime
to you soil. If you need help determining how much lime to use.
Click Here to use our lime calculator. To
test you soil you'll need to use a pH Meter. If you do not already own one
Click Here to view BioLogic's pH
Meter.
Question:
When should I lime my seed bed?
Answer:
The optimum time is in late fall (October/November) and again when you plant
in the spring. Your soil does not have to be broken to apply lime.
Question:
How can my soils pH level affect the outcome of my food plot?
Answer:
Acidic soils have several negative effects on food plot crop growth and
nutritional value. The most notably of these is reduced microbial and insect
activity. the survival and proliferation of Rhizobium bacteria, which assist
legumes in fixing nitrogen, are limited in acidic soils. In addition, the
critical plant growth nutrients of fertilizer (phosphorus, potassium, and
calcium) bond to acidic elements making them unavailable for plant use.
Meaning that if your soil is too acidic only a portion of the fertilizer
applied to a food plot will be available to the plants.
Question:
How much Lime should I use on my seed bed?
Answer:
Let our Lime Calculator figure that out for you.
All you need to know is the square feet of you seed bed. Remember 1 acre
equals 43,560 square feet.
Question:
How much and what type of Fertilizer should I use?
Answer:
BioLogic recommends using 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 as fertilizer for all of their
products. BioLogic produces a
pHFertilizer
that is made to fertilize and lime at the same time.
Question:
Can I broadcast my seeds by hand?
Answer:
Yes, but make sure you sow shortly before a rainfall, as the rain will cover
the seeds with dirt.
Question:
Do I have to water?
Answer:
Because most food plots are planted in remote locations and the majority of
people do not have access to an irrigation pump, this makes scheduled watering
difficult. However, BioLogic notes that with adequate rainfall your success
rate will be the same as plots that have been irrigated. Remember, to plant
when the soil is moist either shortly after a rainfall or right before. This
will greatly increase your germination rate and allow your crop to get
established in the soil. Established seed beds will fair much better in a dry
spell.
Question:
Do I need to replant every year?
Answer:
Most products need to be reseeded every year. The exception is Premium
Perennial which has an expected re-growth period of 3-5 years before reseeding
is needed.
Question:
What BioLogic products should I plant to insure proper antler growth?
Answer:
Any product high in protein with help you achieve proper antler growth for you
deer herd. Remember, that managing your deer for proper health and antler
growth is a year round process and may to take several years to reach an
optimum level.
Question:
What products does BioLogic offer for Waterfowl?
Answer:
BioLogic's Waterfowl Forage is a wild rice variety that can be broadcast in
water or on dry ground. Wild rice provides a nutritious, high-energy food
source for migrating ducks and geese in the winter. BioLogic Waterfowl Forage
has yielded as much as 7500 lbs/acre under intense management. The variety can
be easily grown under a wide array of conditions. However, as with the
production of any crop, yield potential will be greatly influenced by the
level of management as well as environmental conditions. The high quality
grain produced will provide your hunting areas with the most attractive,
nutritious, high yielding waterfowl forage available.
Question:
Can BioLogic's Waterfowl Forage be planted in water?
Answer:
Yes, Waterfowl Forage is a wild rice mix that can be planted on dry ground or
in up to 5 inches of water. Because Waterfowl Forage can be planted in water
or dry it is not necessary to prepare a seed bed to achieve good results,
although, when possible a well prepared seed bed will always increase your
success rate.
Question:
I have weeds or grasses in my food plot, what kind of weed killer or thinner can I use?
Answer:
In a sense the food plot plants are weeds. For example, most common weed & feed or
weed killer products are designed to kill Clover. Clover is a major part of many BioLogic
products. Using any weed killer will destroy the food plot. You may use Arrest
or Slay Herbicide by Whitetail Institute to control grasses and/or weeds in your food plot.
Our best advice is to kill all vegetation with a herbicide or weed killer in the plot before planting and then apply Arrest or Slay herbicide if needed.
Simply tilling under the old vegetation is typically not good enough.
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