Ask The Biologist

Sun and Sand

Sun and Sand

By Bob Humphrey

Are great for vacationing, but too much are not good for food plots.

QUESTION: What’s the best food plot plant for sandy soil?

ANSWER: A lot depends on climate and moisture, as well as the specific soil type – whether it’s sandy loam, loamy sand or just plain old sand. However, you do have several options for food plots in loose, sandy or extremely well-drained soils.

One is chufa, as it does quite well in soil with a high sand content. In addition to deer, it’s also attractive to turkeys. Another good choice is chicory, as it has a deeper root system than plants like clover and can withstand drier conditions or longer periods without surface soil moisture.

Before you plant either, you should consider conditioning the site. Very well-drained soils tend to have less mineral content because it gets leached out. A soil test will tell you what’s lacking, as well as what and how much to add. You might also try a season or two with a green fertilizer crop of winter rye or wheat, as this will add more organic material to the soil.

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