or no nitrogen to the food plots. Clover and alfalfa produce their own nitrogen and adding more only promotes weed growth. 13. Remove all rocks and debris before planting, and then till repeatedly. You need a smooth, firm seedbed for the best crop. If planting small seeds such as clover, alfalfa, chicory or brassica, cultipack before and after spreading the seeds so you get good soil-to-seed contact but don’t cover the small seeds too deep. 14. Don’t cover small seeds too deeply. You’ll smother them. Brassicas and clovers should only be planted 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. Larger seeds, such as those in Power Plant and Whitetail Oats Plus, can be planted 1/2 to 1 inch deep. 15. Plant some kill plots along a buck’s travel route from bedding cover toward major evening feeding areas. These make great early-season bow-hunting locations. 16. Find spots that are level or only slightly sloping. Too much slope can cause the seed to wash off after planting and the soil to erode during heavy rains.

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17. Don’t skimp and buy cheap seeds. Buying a high-quality seed ensures you’ll get the best results from the time and energy you put into growing your plots. 18. Don’t bite off more than you can handle. It’s better to put in three acres of high-quality food plots and do them right than it is to stretch your time, energy and finances and try to plant six or seven acres. 19. Plant a variety of products. Some will reach peak nutrition and palatability levels at various times. 20. Don’t overhunt your plots. Nothing can ruin a plot for attracting mature bucks during daylight more than applying too much pressure. Rest them for days between hunts and enter and exit your stand undetected if possible. 21. Keep a notebook or log of what you plant and where. Note how the plants fare and how well deer use them to learn what works best on your property. ^

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