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Perennial Alfalfa, Forage Clover and Chicory create a food plot that will provide a consistent source of nutrients. Rack Force is drought resistant and well suited for dryer climates.
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Alfalfa:
Alfalfa is a proven perennial forage crop that produces large amounts of forage with a high nutritional value. Although Alfalfa has traditionally just been planted in dry colder climates, the varieties selected for Rack Force have been adapted for planting in both warmer and colder climates. Mature plants grow up to 25 inches tall and will grow for years sprouting out each Spring. These plants do like well drained soils but they will also establish in heavier soils. Alfalfa is a very drought resistant forage plant that you can rely on to produce to 3 or more years.
Forage CLOVER Mix
Several different types of Forage Clovers have been selected to achieve our goals; drought resistant, persistence, and high forage volume. This mixture of clovers consist mainly of perennial white clover, red clover and sweet clover to give us both the protein and the hardiness that is needed to be planted almost anywhere. This clover mixture will provide an excellent protein source that your deer herd can depend on in every season.
Perennial Forage CHICORY
Forage chicory is an excellent forage plant that provides 30% protein and a burst of valuable minerals. Chicory plants have a long taproot that allows the plant to be extremely drought resistant. They are a true perennial that will survive for many years unattended. Average mature plant height is approximately 15 inches. |
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Follow these 3 Basic Steps
- Cultivate plot 4-6 inches deep.
- Add 150 lbs 13-13-13 fertilizer per 1/2 acre & add lime as needed.
- Broadcast & roll in seed at the rate of 4 lbs per 1/2 acre.
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Soil Preparation:
Cultivate the soil 4” - 6” deep to remove competing weeds and add fertilizer and lime as recommended. After cultivating, it is important to level and pack the soil before seeding the plot. Lightly pack the soil by running over your food plot with an ATV or a roller.
Fertilizer Requirements - A soil test should be performed prior to planting to determine your plot’s need for fertilizer and lime. If a soil test cannot be done, we recommend preparing the seed bed by applying up to 150 lbs. of 13-13-13 fertilizer or equivalent per 1/2 acre.
pH of Soil & Liming - The recommended soil pH is 6.0-7.5. A soil test should be performed prior to planting to determine your soil pH and the need for lime and fertilizer. If a soil test cannot be done, we recommend preparing the seed bed by applying up to 1,000 lbs. of lime per 1/2 acre.
Planting Depth:
Rack Force contains small seeds that normally do not need to be completely covered. We recommend broadcasting the seed and then rolling the seed into the seed bed by running over your food plot with an ATV or a roller. Never cover the seeds with more than 3/16” of dirt.
Moisture:
Soil moisture is vital to the plants being able to establish themselves. The soil should be moist when planting, with a reasonable expectation of future rainfall. If adequate moisture is not available for an extended period after planting, the plot may fail to establish properly.
Frost Seeding:
This is an excellent method of Spring planting in the northern areas of the United States. When frost seeding, follow normal seed coverage recommendations. |
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| If your Rack Force food plot is properly maintained, it will be productive for 2-4 years. Fertilize your food plot once in the Spring and once in the Fall. If your plot develops more than 15% native weeds you will need to top them off. We recommend that this be done during the Spring to reduce weed competition. |
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Coverage: 4 lbs plants 1/2 acre; approximately 22,000 sq ft or 30 yards by 80 yards.
Planting Times: Rack Force contains forage plant seeds that can be planted both Spring and Fall.
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Soil pH and Fertilizer:
In order to grow strong and healthy... plants need food! The main method of providing food to your plants is achieved by adding fertilizer to the soil. Soil pH regulates how much of the food the plants can eat by locking up the food in a strong chemical bond when the pH is low (below 6) or when the pH is high (above 8). Soil pH is extremely important since the pH of the soil helps determine if the plants can metabolize the fertilizer in the soil and therefore determines if the plants can grow.
Many people continue to fertilize a poorly performing food plot by simply adding more fertilizer! Actually what is needed is to release the food by solving the pH problem. Over time, low pH problems can be resolved by adding 2,000 lbs of lime per acre, which will raise the pH one point. Unfortunately lime does not immediately fix low pH problems. It often takes up to 6 months to achieve its full effect. High pH problems are not very common but can be corrected by adding Sulfates to the soil. It is important to read the planting instructions for each seed mixture to find the fertilizer recommendations and the recommended pH levels for each Harvest seed mix. |
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