Week 6: Applying granular fertilizer

If taking a soil sample is not an option, you can use general fertilizer blends like 13-13-13 or 6-24-24 depending on crop variety planted. For forage grasses (Triticale, wheat, cereal rye, oats, etc.) 200-300lb of 13-13-13 per acre would be sufficient or the same amount per acre of 6-24-24 for forage legumes (soybeans, clovers, brassica, peas, chicory, etc.) Excess nitrogen in forage legume plots will only promote grass growth, since legumes produce 65% of their own nitrogen from the air, you can apply less nitrogen to the plot area. Both of these fertilizer blends are very common and can be purchased in bags or bulk from your local fertilizer dealer. Keep in mind that these are general guidelines for applying granular fertilizer to food plots; it’s a good practice to rely on your soil test results for a more complete fertilizer analysis for the crop to be grown. Soil sampling will save input cost in the long run, by giving you the exact amount of nutrient (N-P-K) requirements need for optimum food plot performance.

Some other food plot fertilizer tips:

  • mixing pelletized lime with your fertilizer applications to aid in adjusting soil pH
  • Split your fertilizer applications during the growing season on perennials or spring/summer annuals, half at planting, the other half mid-season
  • Purchase fertilizer in bulk when possible (bagged fertilizer is usually more expensive)
  • Disk in fertilizer prior to broadcasting seed
  • If using Nutri-Plot™ Fertilizer & Attractant, you can reduce granular application by 25-50lb per acre on spring/summer annuals or perennials.