The Importance of A Well Prepared Food Plot Seed Bed

Poor seedling survival or lack of germination can be attributed to incorrect planting depth and poor seed bed prep. This is especially important when planting small seeds like clover, chicory, brassicas, or alfalfa, which need a covering of no more than ¼ inch of soil.

When plots are disked or tilled, the seed bed can become fluffy, which is not conducive for small seeds to germinate. Even moderately heavy rain can cause some seeds to be buried too deep, resulting in an uneven stand. Ideally, plots should be cultipacked after disking or tilling to firm the seedbed. This process creates a great environment for seedling survival by incorporating the seed evenly and at the proper depth.

Cultipacking also allows moisture to move through the soil profile properly and keeps moisture around the seed as it germinates. Leaving a seedbed unpacked and full of air space allows the soil to dry out much faster and increases the chance of plot failure.

There are many options for equipment that can be very effective when preparing your food plot. The Firminator is one of the most complete pieces of equipment for food plots, which allows for proper seedbed preparation, planting, and cultipacking.

For a successful food plot, especially when planting small seeds, seedbed preparation is critical. Cultipacking after disking or tilling can create a great environment for seedling survival by incorporating the seed evenly and at the proper depth, allowing moisture to move through the soil profile properly, and keeping moisture around the seed as it germinates.