How to Water Food Plots

Food plots need regular watering.

A well-maintained food plot is a friend to both hunter and game. Plant the right crops, in the right amounts, and the game in your area will have plenty to eat during the lean months. These healthy animals will replenish their population season after season. Preparing and seeding a food plot can be costly. To reap the benefits of your hard work, you have to keep your investment healthy with regular watering and care.

Things You'll Need

• Rain gauge
• Hose
• Sprinkler

Instructions

1. Install rain gauges. Space three or four evenly throughout the plot. Read them every time you water your crop or it rains. The average crop needs between 1 and 2 inches of water weekly including rain.

2. Set up an irrigation system. Your crop needs to be watered with a gentle spray of water applied evenly over the plot. A thumb placed over the nozzle of your garden hose will work. However, if your plot is large, install a sprinkler system that will send water to all areas of the plot evenly. Well-placed rain gauges will help you to determine this.

3. Water food plots early in the morning on the same day every week when necessary. Plants benefit from regular watering.

Tips & Warnings

• Not all crops have average water needs. Spend a few minutes researching your crop's water needs during all of its stages of growth. Furthermore, crops grown during hot weather may need more frequent watering. When it is hot, check your crop's soil daily. If the top few inches are bone dry, water.

References

• Food Plots: Homepage
• Ohio State University Extension: Establishing Wildlife Food Plots
• University of California Cooperative Extension: An Efficient Irrigation System Ensures Success In Vegetable Gardening