Common Wildlife Food Plot Mistakes

Hunting season is underway here in Northwest Florida.  With it comes hunters putting in food plots. It’s been dry here but it looks like we are getting some relief.  So, now is a good time to talk a little about common mistakes wildlife enthusiasts make when planting food plots.

Mistake #1 – Not soil testing

Our soils, especially in the forested areas, are typically acidic.  The optimal pH for most cool season food plot plants is 6-6.5.  I see a lot of samples come back at around 5.  This is much too acidic for these plants to thrive.  Soil sampling doesn’t take much time and it is really affordable.  The test costs just $10 per sample.  That’s cheap insurance.

Mistake #2 – Planting with too little soil moisture or during a drought period. 

Even though the optimal planting date is October, if we don’t have adequate soil moisture, you may be wasting time and money.  I’ve seen it many times.  You plant when there’s just enough soil moisture for the seeds to germinate and then it doesn’t rain and the plants dry up and die.  These plants need adequate soil moisture to germinate and grow enough roots to sustain during dry periods.

Mistake #3 – Using plant varieties that are not adapted to here.  

Every year, our forage specialists evaluate cool season forages for how well they grow here.  They update a publication that is available each year.  This publication gives you plants, varieties, planting dates, planting rates, and more.  If you haven’t taken a look at this publication, you should.  It’s called A Walk on the Wild Side: 2024 Cool-Season Forage Recommendations for Wildlife Food Plots in North Florida.

Cool season food plots are a great attractant for deer.  But many struggle with being successful here in Northwest Florida.  Hopefully, now, you can avoid these 3 common mistakes and have a successful food plot this year.