Introduction
Imagine a hunting season where the game is consistently drawn to your land, year after year. A place where wildlife finds reliable sustenance, making your property a haven. This isn’t just a dream; it’s a reality attainable through strategic food plot implementation. Of all the methods employed by land managers and passionate hunters, one stands out for its sustainability and long-term benefits: perennial food plots.
Food plots, in essence, are cultivated areas designed to provide supplemental food sources for wildlife. They are a vital tool for attracting, holding, and improving the health of deer, turkey, quail, and a variety of other game and non-game species. When considering options, there are two primary types of plants to consider annuals and perennials. Annual plants are those that complete their life cycle in a single growing season, requiring replanting each year. While annuals can offer rapid growth and high yields, they demand considerable time, effort, and resources annually.
Perennial plants, on the other hand, offer a contrasting and compelling alternative. These are plants that live for more than two years, establishing themselves and returning year after year without the need for annual seeding. This simple difference has profound implications for both the wildlife and the land manager. This guide will explore how food plot perennials offer sustainable, cost-effective, and highly beneficial wildlife management solutions by providing consistent food sources and habitat season after season. They are a cornerstone for responsible land stewardship and provide you the opportunity to see return on investment in your time and monetary resources for years to come.
The Irrefutable Benefits of Perennial Food Plots
The appeal of perennial food plots extends far beyond convenience; it is rooted in a multitude of tangible advantages that benefit both the wildlife and the stewards of the land. These enduring plants are an excellent investment for any land manager.
Reducing Costs with Perennials
One of the most compelling arguments in favor of perennials is their cost-effectiveness over the long term. While the initial investment might be slightly higher compared to annuals (due to potentially higher seed costs or soil amendments), the savings quickly accumulate over subsequent years. Consider the recurring expenses associated with annual food plots: seed purchases, fertilizer applications, fuel for tractors and equipment, and the labor involved in planting and tilling. These costs vanish after the initial establishment of a perennial plot. The ongoing maintenance is greatly reduced, resulting in significant savings year after year. This allows you to direct your resources toward other habitat improvement projects.
Saving Time with Perennial Plots
Time is a precious commodity, and perennial food plots offer a significant return on your time investment. The annual cycle of tilling, planting, and fertilizing annual plots can be incredibly time-consuming. Perennials, once established, require far less intervention. Beyond the initial planting, the main tasks involve occasional mowing, weed control, and potentially some light fertilization based on soil tests. This frees up valuable time for other important activities, such as scouting game trails, maintaining hunting blinds, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of your property. You get the benefits of food plots without the additional time commitment.
Soil Health Improvement
The ecological benefits of perennial food plots are equally significant. Their established root systems play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion, especially on sloping terrain. The dense root networks bind the soil particles together, minimizing runoff and protecting valuable topsoil. Furthermore, perennials contribute to improved soil structure and organic matter content. As their roots decompose over time, they release nutrients back into the soil, enriching it and enhancing its fertility. In the case of legumes, they have the added benefit of nitrogen fixation, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form that benefits both the plant itself and surrounding vegetation. Perennial plants help develop a healthier soil over time.
Year Round Availability of Food
Unlike annual plots, which offer forage only during specific growing seasons, perennials provide a more consistent and reliable food source throughout the year. The timing of peak forage availability varies depending on the species and climate, but a well-planned perennial plot can provide something palatable and nutritious for wildlife during critical periods, such as late winter (when food is scarce), early spring (when animals are recovering from winter stress), and the pre-rut and post-rut periods (when deer require ample energy). This consistent food source helps maintain healthy wildlife populations and ensures that animals have the resources they need to thrive.
Improving Habitat for Wildlife
Beyond food, perennial food plots contribute to overall habitat improvement. The dense vegetation provides cover and nesting habitat for various species, creating a more diverse and thriving ecosystem. Tall grasses and legumes can offer excellent bedding cover for deer and turkey, while flowering plants attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. In some cases, perennial food plots can also serve as corridors for wildlife movement, connecting fragmented habitats and allowing animals to safely navigate the landscape.
Outstanding Perennial Food Plot Plants
Selecting the right perennial species is crucial for the success of your food plots. Here are a few popular and effective options to consider:
Legumes for Food Plots
Clovers are perhaps the most widely used and versatile legumes for perennial food plots. White clover, red clover, ladino clover, and alsike clover are all excellent choices, each offering unique benefits. They are highly palatable to deer and other wildlife, providing a rich source of protein. As mentioned earlier, clovers are also nitrogen fixers, improving soil fertility. They thrive in a range of soil types, but generally prefer well-drained soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Different clover varieties have different tolerances to shade and moisture, so choose varieties that are best suited for your specific site conditions.
Alfalfa is another high-protein legume that can be a valuable addition to perennial food plots. It is particularly drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for areas with limited rainfall. Alfalfa requires well-drained soil with a high pH (around 6.5 to 7.0) and plenty of sunlight. Because of its higher maintenance needs, it might not be an ideal choice for everyone.
Birdsfoot trefoil is a less common but equally effective legume for perennial food plots. It is particularly tolerant of poor soils and persists well even under heavy grazing pressure. Birdsfoot trefoil is adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, but it prefers well-drained soil.
Grasses for Food Plots
Orchardgrass is a cool-season perennial grass that is tolerant of grazing pressure and can grow in partial shade. It is a good companion plant for legumes like clover, providing structural support and preventing soil erosion. Orchardgrass is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, but it prefers well-drained soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Timothy is another palatable cool-season perennial grass that is commonly used in hay production. It is highly attractive to deer and other wildlife, but it requires moist conditions to thrive. Timothy is best suited for cooler climates with adequate rainfall.
Forbs for Food Plots
Chicory is a deep-rooted perennial forb that is highly drought-tolerant and rich in minerals. It is particularly attractive to deer during the summer months when other forage sources are scarce. Chicory requires well-drained soil and full sun.
Plantain is a very easy to grow perennial forb that is tolerant to many different soil types. They prefer a more moist environment. This plant is highly adaptive, so it makes for an excellent choice in many situations.
Establishing Perennial Food Plots
Establishing a successful perennial food plot requires careful planning and execution.
Choosing Your Site
Consider sunlight exposure, soil type and drainage, water availability, and accessibility when selecting your site. Perennials generally require at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Soil should be well-drained to prevent root rot. Access to a water source (natural or artificial) can be beneficial, especially during dry periods. Consider the location of existing game trails and bedding areas when choosing a site.
Soil Preparation
Soil testing is essential to determine the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. Based on the test results, you may need to amend the soil with lime to adjust the pH or add fertilizer to provide essential nutrients. Tilling or no-till planting methods can be used to prepare the seedbed. Tilling involves loosening the soil with a plow or tiller, while no-till planting involves drilling seeds directly into the existing vegetation.
Planting Perennials
Seed selection and inoculation are crucial for success, especially with legumes. Choose seed varieties that are well-suited to your climate and soil conditions. Legumes should be inoculated with the appropriate nitrogen-fixing bacteria to promote healthy growth. Follow the recommended seeding rates and timing for each species. Proper seed depth is also important; generally, seeds should be planted shallowly (no more than inch deep).
Maintaining Your Perennial Plot
Weed control is essential, especially during the establishment phase. Pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides can be used to control weeds. Mowing or brush hogging can also be effective for controlling weeds and maintaining the desired plant height.
Fertilization and lime application may be necessary to maintain soil fertility and pH levels. Conduct regular soil tests to monitor nutrient levels and adjust your fertilization and lime application accordingly.
Grazing management is crucial to prevent overgrazing. Rotational grazing, where livestock or wildlife are allowed to graze a portion of the plot for a limited time before being moved to another area, can help prevent overgrazing and allow plants to recover.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With Perennials
Avoid common pitfalls for a successful food plot.
Poor soil preparation, planting the wrong species, ignoring soil pH, neglecting weed control, overgrazing, and not maintaining the plot can doom food plots. Address each of these areas to prevent costly errors.
Conclusion
The decision to invest in perennial food plots is a testament to your commitment to wildlife stewardship and sustainable land management. These remarkable plants offer a multitude of benefits, from cost savings and time efficiency to enhanced soil health and improved habitat. By carefully selecting the right species, preparing the soil properly, and implementing sound management practices, you can create a thriving food plot that attracts and supports wildlife for years to come.
Don’t delay, start planning your perennial food plot today for a bright future in hunting. By embracing the power of perennials, you can create a lasting legacy of habitat improvement and wildlife conservation on your property.
