Is Your Food Plot Ready? A Late-Summer Checklist for a Better Fall Plot

Fall may not be here quite yet, but if you’re planning to put in a food plot this season, now is the time to start getting ready.

A good fall plot doesn’t begin the day you spread seed. The work you do beforehand—from checking your soil to controlling weeds and choosing the right planting window—can make a big difference once deer season rolls around.

Before you plant, work your way through this late-summer checklist.

1. Start With Your Soil

Before buying seed or fertilizer, take a look at what you’re working with.

A soil test is one of the best places to start because it can tell you your soil’s pH and nutrient needs. Many food plot crops perform best when the soil isn’t overly acidic, which is a common issue in our area.

If your soil test shows a low pH, lime may be recommended. Keep in mind that lime takes time to work into the soil, so this isn’t something you want to wait until planting day to think about.

2. Get Weeds Under Control

A beautiful food plot won’t do much good if your seed has to compete with an established patch of weeds and grass.

Late summer is a good time to evaluate the plot and get unwanted vegetation under control before planting. Depending on the condition of your plot, that may mean mowing, spraying, disking or a combination of methods.

The goal is to give your food plot seed the best opportunity to make good soil contact and establish without fighting heavy competition from existing vegetation.

3. Don't Rush Your Planting Date

Seeing fall food plot seed arrive at the store can make it tempting to start planting immediately—but our Northwest Florida weather doesn’t always cooperate with the calendar.

Instead of planting simply because September is approaching, pay attention to soil conditions, temperatures and the rain forecast.

Planting into extremely hot, dry soil and then waiting weeks for rain can hurt germination and establishment. On the other hand, a well-prepared seedbed with moisture in the forecast can give your plot a much better start.

Always check the planting recommendations for the particular seed or mix you choose.

4. Choose the Right Seed for Your Plot

Not every food plot is the same.

Consider how much acreage you’re planting, how much sunlight the area receives, your soil conditions and what you want the plot to accomplish.

Some hunters want a plot designed primarily to attract deer during hunting season, while others want to provide a longer-lasting food source. Choosing a mix that fits your particular property is more important than simply grabbing the first bag of seed you see.

Manning's Feed & Seed has fall plot mixes in stock, and we can help you look at the options available for your property.

5. Don't Forget Fertilizer

Seed gets a lot of attention, but fertilizer is another important piece of establishing a productive plot.

The right fertilizer helps provide the nutrients young plants need to develop and grow. Your soil test is the best guide for determining exactly what your plot needs rather than guessing.

We carry fertilizer options at Manning's and can help point you in the right direction based on what you're planting and your soil-test recommendations.

6. Think Beyond the Food Plot

Once your plot is established, there are other ways to make your hunting area more attractive to deer.

We have a variety of deer feeds and attractants in stock, including products like AntlerMax Deer 20, apple corn, Peanut Butter Crunch, Deadly Drift Deer Attractant, and other seasonal attractants.

These can complement your overall property and hunting setup, but they aren't a replacement for proper food plot preparation. A healthy plot starts with good soil, proper timing and the right seed.

Always check current Florida regulations before using feed or attractants for deer.

Your Late-Summer Food Plot Checklist

Before you plant this fall, make sure you've:

• Tested or evaluated your soil and addressed pH issues

• Cleared or controlled existing weeds and grasses

• Prepared the seedbed for good seed-to-soil contact

• Chosen a seed or mix appropriate for your property

• Checked the recommended planting window

• Watched the weather and planned around rainfall

• Determined your fertilizer needs

• Picked up your seed, fertilizer and other supplies before planting day

Get Ready for Fall at Manning's

Food plot season is getting closer, and we've already started stocking up.

Stop by Manning's Feed & Seed to check out our fall plot mixes, fertilizer, deer feed and attractants. Whether you're starting a new plot or getting an established one ready for another season, we'll help you find what you need to get started.

Don't wait until planting day to get prepared. A better fall food plot starts now.