4 Reasons to Plant a Diverse Fall Food Plot
Amidst the heat of summer, avid hunters dream about crisp fall mornings, evenings spent checking trail cams, and the smell of the decaying leaves in the woods. The year's activities revolve around preparation and anticipation for hunting season. Undoubtedly, fall is the peak season for the sport of hunting and preparation is key to success. While you’re setting up trail cams and scouting out new hunting ground this summer, don’t forget to plan your fall food plots. Here are four reasons you should plant a diverse fall food plot this year.
#1: Attract Wildlife
This may seem obvious, but it really can’t be overstated; wildlife go where the food grows. If you want wildlife, especially deer, turkey and other game animals to flock to your ground you need to give them a reason to show up. Most food plot seed is just a single plant species like soybeans or clover. That’s simply not what wildlife want or need. A diverse mix of highly palatable and nutritious plants will attract wildlife and keep them coming back throughout the season. Diversity means you’ll have something for every type of animal and the food plot will thrive throughout the season. Preparation for the fall hunting season starts with encouraging animals to find food and shelter on your property this summer.
#2: Build the Biology, Build your Game Populations
Here at Green Cover we have a saying, “Life begets life.” It’s true in agriculture settings and its true for wildlife. When we build ecosystems that thrive on a microscopic level, everything above that begins to thrive as well. When our system is not functioning properly and we’re struggling at a microscopic level, the whole ecosystem feels the negative effects. A diverse food plot mix inoculated with the right biology sets the whole system up for success. Starting with the GreenBoost™ Biological Inoculant package you’re introducing billions of beneficial microbes to your soils. Many food plot areas are old degraded farm ground that probably lacks a flourishing microbial community. By introducing these microbes, we’re re-establishing a vibrant population that will trickle down through the food chain. The diversity of plants in the mix house the diverse microbial communities and attract a wide array of insect species. Insects attract birds which are a great indicator of a healthy ecosystem. A healthy ecosystem creates an ideal environment for the macrofauna like deer and other game to not just survive but thrive. A thriving ecosystem starts in the soil.
#3: Give Back
Too often land managers are depleting the soil and ecosystem by taking from it. As true stewards of the land and resources we need to think about how we can give back. A diverse food plot blend gives back by pumping carbon into soil, cycling nutrients, and protecting from erosion. Every year the goal should be to improve the landscape. Instead of mining the soil and taking what we can from it, we give back by giving the land what it needs. You’ll never see a monocrop in nature. God created ecosystems to be diverse. So to mimic that we plant diverse seed blends that create a net positive effect instead of extracting from the ecosystem.
#4: Grow Healthy Wildlife
The old saying goes, “You are what you eat” and it’s true for wildlife as well. Animals that feed on a diversity of plants have access to a wider variety of vital nutrients they need to keep their bodies in optimum health. Animals know what nutrients their body needs throughout the year and they seek out certain plants that provide those unique nutrients. Growing a diverse food plot blend ensures animals have access to the nutrients they need throughout the season. Healthy animals grow bigger and more robust and their reproduction rates are higher. Bucks grow bigger antlers. Does grow and give birth to healthy, active fawns. What’s good for the soil is good for the entire ecosystem around it.
As the hot and long summer days continue, fireworks still light up the sky on occasion, and water activities fill your weekends, don’t forget to make a plan for your fall food plots. A plan that benefits the land, the soil and the ecosystem is a plan that also benefits the wild game you’re hunting and your hunting season ahead. Fall Release food plot blend is the perfect solution for your fall food plots.
