By John Monzingo
Assistant County Agent
Preparing for hunting season, as mentioned in previous articles, should focus less on simply planting a crop to attract wildlife and more on improving overall habitat. This effort should be a year-round commitment to ensure wildlife has access to proper nutrition throughout every season.
Site Selection
One of the first steps is selecting an appropriate planting location. Most vegetation requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While some plants can tolerate partial sunlight, it is recommended to contact your local county agent for specific plant recommendations suited to those conditions.
Understanding Your Soil
Soil is a critical factor in successful planting. Ideally, soil should:
Drain excess water efficiently
Retain enough moisture to sustain plant life
Understanding soil texture is also important. Determine whether your soil is primarily:
Clay: Feels slick and sticky; holds water; has limited air and water movement; can be difficult to work
Silt: Feels smooth or floury when dry and smooth when wet; easier to work than clay; good water-holding capacity and fertility
Sand: Feels coarse or gritty; allows for significant water and air movement; easy to work; low water-holding capacity and low fertility
Often, soil is a combination of these textures. When balanced, this mixture is called loam, which is commonly referred to as “good” soil by landowners.
Site Preparation
Once a site is selected, preparation begins:
- Remove debris: Clear stumps, roots, and other materials to make soil preparation easier.
- Control unwanted vegetation:
Use a non-selective herbicide to eliminate existing vegetation, or
Conduct a controlled burn (only with a licensed professional for safety and compliance)
- Prepare the soil:
Use a plow or disk to break the ground, improving air and water movement. - Soil Testing
After site preparation, conducting a soil test is essential. All plants require three primary nutrients:
Nitrogen (N): Promotes plant vigor and green growth
Phosphorus (P): Encourages root development
Potassium (K): Enhances overall plant health, including disease resistance and drought tolerance
A soil test will determine the exact nutrient requirements for your planting area. It is important to note that fertilizer recommendations are based on the entire growing season, not a single application.
Example:
If 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre is recommended, it should be split into multiple applications—approximately 33 pounds per application throughout the growing season.
Do Not Forget Soil pH
Another critical factor is soil pH, which measures soil acidity or alkalinity. Most plants perform best in a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.
Proper pH allows plants to efficiently absorb nutrients. In Claiborne and Webster Parishes, soils are often acidic, requiring the application of lime to raise the pH.
Keep in mind:
Lime typically takes 3–6 months to fully adjust soil pH
Planning ahead is essential for successful results
How to Conduct a Soil Test
Getting a soil test is simple:
- Contact your local Extension office to obtain a soil test kit
- Collect samples 3 inches deep from 8–10 random locations
- Mix samples thoroughly in a clean bucket
- Place the mixture into the sample bag provided and submit it
Your results will provide precise recommendations for nutrient and lime applications. If you have questions, your local county agent is available to assist.
Bottom Line
Fertilizer plays an important role, but soil testing is the key to healthy plants and efficient nutrient use.
Do not guess—test.
For More Information
John Monzingo
LSU AgCenter
318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371
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