FOOD PLOT GUIDE

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PHYSIS PRO

Discover essential food plot strategies, seed selection tips, and seasonal planting techniques to maximize attraction, nutrition and land productivity. Learn from industry experts how to design, prepare, and maintain thriving food plots year-round.

Doing It Right: The Modern Food Plot Guide

Premium In. Premium Out.

Food plotting has never been more competitive. Nearly every property today has access to supplemental food sources, improved genetics, and better equipment than ever before. The difference between a good plot and a truly productive one often comes down to one thing: doing the fundamentals correctly.

At Physis, we believe premium results start below the surface. Great seed matters. Great strategy matters. But if the soil, preparation, and maintenance are overlooked, even the best blend will never reach its potential.

This guide was built to help land managers, hunters, and habitat enthusiasts create healthier, more attractive food plots — while understanding why each step matters.

Why Soil Matters More Than Equipment

“Spend as much as you think is necessary on equipment to get 1/4” of dirt over a seed — the outcome is still determined by the soil.”

You can plant with hand tools, an ATV, an old riding mower setup, or a fully automated drill. What matters most is giving your seed the environment it needs to thrive.

A premium food plot starts with:

  • Proper soil testing
  • Correct pH
  • Balanced nutrients
  • Proper seed-to-soil contact
  • Moisture management
  • Long-term maintenance

The best plots aren’t always the most expensive. They’re usually the most intentional.

The Biggest Mistake in Food Plotting

Many food plotters rely on basic soil tests or generic fertilizer recommendations. While that’s better than nothing, it often leaves major performance on the table.

Basic Soil Tests Tell You:

  • pH
  • Lime recommendations
  • Primary nutrients (N-P-K)

Advanced Soil Tests Tell You:

  • Secondary nutrients
  • Micronutrients
  • Sulfur levels
  • Organic matter
  • Nutrient saturation
  • Soil balance issues

Secondary nutrients and micros dramatically affect:

  • Taste and palatability
  • Growth speed
  • Recovery from grazing
  • Drought tolerance
  • Yield potential

A plot can look green and still be nutritionally deficient.

Choosing What to Plant

One of the most overlooked realities in food plotting.

Plant what fits your environment — not just what looks good on a bag.

Your:

  • Soil type
  • Moisture availability
  • Plot size
  • Sunlight
  • Deer density
  • Hunting pressure

…should all influence your planting decisions.

A smaller shaded plot may thrive with perennial blends, while large destination plots may be better suited for annual attraction blends or high-tonnage brassicas.

Sometimes the best planting choice isn’t the one you originally wanted — it’s the one your property can consistently support.

Soil Testing: How To Actually Do It Correctly

The most accurate method is using a soil probe, not a shovel.

A probe consistently pulls:

  • Uniform depth
  • Equal sample volume
  • Better representation

Best Practice:

  1. Walk the plot in a zig-zag or “playing card” pattern.
  2. Pull 8–10 cores from multiple areas.
  3. Mix thoroughly in a clean bucket.
  4. Send a blended sample to the lab.

Avoid:

  • Manure-heavy spots
  • Gate openings
  • Old feeding locations
  • Random single-core samples

Consistency matters.

Fertilizer Basics Simplified

Most fertilizer bags use a three-number system:

Example: 13-13-13

That means every 100 pounds contains:

  • 13 lbs Nitrogen (N)
  • 13 lbs Phosphorus (P)
  • 13 lbs Potassium (K)

So a 50 lb bag contains:

  • 6.5 lbs N
  • 6.5 lbs P
  • 6.5 lbs K

Understanding this helps you:

  • Compare fertilizer prices accurately
  • Avoid overspending
  • Prevent overapplication
Liquid vs Granular Fertilizer

Granular Fertilizer

Best for:

  • Large nutrient applications
  • Cost efficiency
  • Pre-plant incorporation

Pros:

  • Cheaper per pound
  • Easy for bulk fertility

Cons:

  • Rain dependent
  • Slower availability
  • Can be salty to plants

Liquid Fertilizer

Best for:

  • In-season correction
  • Micronutrients
  • Stress recovery
  • Foliar feeding

Pros:

  • Immediate plant uptake
  • Uniform application
  • Excellent during dry conditions

Cons:

  • More expensive for large nutrient loads

Best practice?

Use both strategically.