Food plots are popular with landowners as a way to attract wildlife. Plots started as tools for hunters to attract deer, but have drawn the attention of non-hunters who just want to bring more nature to their doorstep.

Many people who try to create food plots don't know what they are doing. They set up the plot wrong, plant the wrong crops, and don't maintain it. Then, frustrated by the lack of results, they abandon them.

Picking The Right Crops

There is no perfect crop for food plots. A crop that works in one area might fail even a few miles away. The first step is to figure out what would work best on your land. There are three fundamental factors when choosing crops: soil type, rainfall, and sunlight. Go a step further by taking a sample of the soil to a lab to have it tested for acidity and nutrients. Off the shelf soil testing kits have very poor accuracy and aren't worth your time.

Clover is a popular choice. Since it's a perennial, once you have made the plot it will keep returning every year. However it needs moist soil and does better in colder climates such as the northern US. Despite being a perennial, it won't last forever in most regions. You may have to replant as often as every three or four years. If you have sandy soil, try alfalfa instead of clover.  In areas with low rainfall, cereal grains such as rye or wheat are possibilities.

Use The Right Equipment

Some people use ATVs to create their food plots but success is highly dependent on soil type and crops desired. ATV plots are shallower, or even top-sown, and often appropriate only for grass or small grains. In some soils and climates, ATV plots are nearly impossible to plant successfully.

Using ATVs to pull plows and planters is like hammering a nail with a rock. It might work, but it's not the ideal tool for the job. People have more success using compact farming equipment like Jinma tractors. By using the right machine for the task, the ground can be plowed deeper, seed can be spread farther, and maintenance like mowing proceeds faster.  Jinma tractors are built for farming.

Prepare The Ground

Before dropping the first seed, you want to eliminate as much other plant growth as possible. Successful growers start a couple months before they want to plant by spraying a non-selective herbicide on the plot. After a couple of weeks they use their Jinma tractors to turn the soil.  After another couple of weeks they spray it again. Depending on how persistent the existing plant life it, it may take several cycles to get the plot clean.

Jinma tractors help with fertilizing as well. Turning the soil after laying fertilizer puts it into contact with the roots of the crops you are going to plant.  It gives the seedlings a big advantage during their early growth.