ph Adjustments to Grow Big Bucks

By Tony Kinton
Does pH really matter?” Don Schmidt
asked rhetorically as he began discussing
this element of food-plot planting.
Schmidt is a retired county agent who now
focuses his attention on his own food plots
and property management. The obvious
answer is yes.
Many hunters waste time and money planting soil
that is too acidic. When the pH is right, deer flock
to the plots and end up getting far more nutrition
from the vegetation.
>>> photo: Jacob Brumfield
Now’s the time to bring soil
samples to your county agent
so you can use the right
amount of lime to take the
acidity out of your food plots.
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Mississippi Sportsman
JUNE 2011
private lab, a university, or visit a local county agent to get the
details and boxes for collecting and shipping the soil. Specific
questions will be asked regarding the sample, so be careful to
provide all data needed.
The soil is then sent to the lab. Results and recommendations
will be returned to the planter.
A few words of advice are in order here regarding soil tests
and pH manipulation. Test results may require two or more
This big stickbow buck was collected
just outside an early-season green field
that had been properly prepared as per
soil test recommendations.
>>> photo: Tony Kinton
For too long, pH has remained a mystery for many who
strive to produce viable food plots for wildlife. Some have tried
to circumvent this lack of knowledge by adding more fertilizer
and hoping for the best. Others have simply ignored it and
wondered later why the plots were less than productive.
Neither approach is logical. The correct thing to do is acquire
an understanding of what pH is and how it impacts plots. After
that, pH can be balanced and manipulated so that plots thrive.
What is pH? It is simply a measure of soil acidity or
alkalinity. It is based on a scale ranging from 0 to 14, with 7
being neutral. Numbers lower than 7 indicate acidity; numbers
greater than 7 indicate alkalinity.
The natural measure of pH is
determined by a variety of factors,
such as how and where the soil was
formed and the amount of rainfall
the soil receives. This aspect is of
little consequence in the scheme of
managing pH, for it is the
balancing of pH that must be done
if the planter is to enjoy success.
How pH impacts plant growth is
a rather complex procedure.
Nutrients from fertilizer must be
released and transferred to plants
for them to grow as they should.
Simply put, when pH is out of
balance these nutrients tend to cling
to the soil rather than spread to
plant roots. No amount of fertilizer
will rectify the situation if the pH
has these nutrients locked in place.
Conversely, proper pH will require
less fertilizer to produce desirable
results.
Schmidt notes that when he first
began his work as a county agent,
many of the farmers with whom he
worked didn’t give attention to pH.
“They were underliming and
overfertilizing,” he said. “But they
have gotten better educated over
the years.
“Food plots are no different than
raising any other agricultural crop
for high yield. You have to get the
pH right.”
And what is the proper way to
determine pH and manipulate it so
that the crops produce? This is a
step-by-step process.
The first thing to do is select the
site and determine the crop to be
planted. A soil test comes next.
This procedure requires collecting
soil from a specific area and
sending it to a lab for analysis. The
food-plot planter should contact a
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>>> photo: Tony Kinton
A balanced pH helps assure lush, viable food plots.
Sample the soil
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weeks, perhaps longer. Additionally, altering pH can take up to
three months. As a result, soil testing should be done well in
advance of planting dates. If the planter waits too long, any
altering of the pH will not be realized in the first planting.
Another food-plot year will be wasted in poor production.
How the altering of pH is to be accomplished is dependent
upon the results of the soil test. If pH needs to be increased on a
specific plot for a specific plant, the addition of lime is the
standard remedy. The amount
of lime to be applied per acre
will be spelled out in the test
A soil probe is the most
results. Follow this
reliable system for
recommendation
collecting soil samples.
meticulously.
Lime is available in
several forms, but powdered
and pelletized are perhaps
most common. Both work
well; however, there are
differences in application.
With each, maximum
contact with the soil is
needed. Because of this,
lime should be incorporated
into the soil at the time of
application. Disking will
accomplish this. Even then,
however, lime will have
little impact on the soil if
that soil is dry. Moisture is
essential for the lime to
react to the soil and begin
balancing the pH. It is a
>>> photo: Tony Kinton
Wayne Boshart of the Mississippi State
Extensive Service and Interim County Director
for Leake County says soil samples are
essential for maximum production.
“You have to know what nutrients are
needed,” he said. Soil samples will, among
other things, determine pH.
“And pH is vital because plants can’t take
up nutrients if the pH is not balanced.”
Boshart advises that samples should be
taken to a minimum of 6 inches deep.
“Take several samples per plot in a zigzag
pattern, particularly at elevation changes,” said
Boshart.
He suggests perhaps as many as 15 to 20
per plot.
“Take all samples from a specific
field and mix them in a container,” he
said. “After mixing, place one pint of
the mixed sample in a container for
shipping to a lab.”
Local County Agent offices will
provide boxes for the samples and will
assist in getting these to the correct
institution for analysis.
“And be sure to label each sample
so that you will know the exact field
that produced each sample,” he
notes. “The county agent will help you
to interpret the results after these are
returned from the samples.”
While a shovel or spade can be
used to gather samples, the best tool
is a soil probe. This simple rig assures
consistency in gathering the soil. All
82 counties of the state have an
Extension Service office, and most if
not all these have a soil probe that
can be borrowed.
As of this writing, samples sent
through the county agent offices cost
$6 per sample.
continued
JUNE 2011
Mississippi Sportsman 15
good idea if possible to apply/incorporate lime ahead of a rain.
Finely-ground lime (powdered) works faster than the
Pelletized lime works well
pelletized product. If the application of this is feasible, it is a
and flows smoothly through
good choice. Powdered lime is available in bulk at farm supply
small spreaders such as
businesses, and is generally far less expensive than other types.
those used on an ATV.
But it can be difficult to apply. The best method is to take
advantage of equipment such as lime trucks often offered by
establishments that sell lime. If the plots can be reached by this
equipment, powdered lime can be applied with little effort. If, on the
other hand, the
plots are remote
and access to them
is limited, smaller
equipment such as
that attached to an
ATV or small
tractor may be
needed. Powdered
lime has the
potential of
clogging these
spreaders and can
become
problematic. One answer to this is switching to pelletized lime.
The pelletized version usually flows smoothly through any small
spreader, such as the type used on an ATV. Even hand spreaders can be
employed in truly out-of-the-way plots that can’t be worked with
anything larger. This, however, is quite labor intensive. And keep in
mind that pelletized lime is not as fast-acting as pulverized lime. Also,
16
Mississippi Sportsman
JUNE 2011
>>> photo: Tony Kinton
Finely-ground
lime works faster
than the pelletized
product.
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A well-planned food plot
will draw and hold wildlife.
LAND INVESTMENTS LLC
Jackson • Natchez • Vicksburg
>>> photo: Tony Kinton
601-362-0059
>>> photo: Tony Kinton
A trailer that can be towed behind a
tractor is a good way to apply bulk lime.
be advised that the amount suggested per acre after the soil has
been tested remains the same, whether the lime is powdered or
pelletized.
Occasionally there is need to decrease rather than increase
pH, this depending a great deal upon the plant selected.
When that need arises, two materials are commonly used:
aluminum sulfate and sulfur. Aluminum sulfate changes soil
pH immediately. Sulfur, however, requires quite a bit of time,
this determined by the fineness of the sulfur, soil moisture,
soil temperature and the presence of bacteria. The conversion
instigated by the sulfur can take several months. As a result,
most planters opt for aluminum sulfate when decreasing pH
is required.
Other than the factors we have dealt with already, a common
question regarding altering pH is how often it should be done.
To answer that, go back to the soil-testing regimen. A test
should be performed every year. This keeps the planter advised
of the needs of the plots. If the pH is terribly out of balance,
applications may be needed for several subsequent years.
Once the pH has been balanced, applications may not be
needed except every other year or less often. If the test
continued
601-304-0744
601-636-5263
342 Acres Claiborne Co.
33 Acres Claiborne Co.
Pine Grove Plantation
Property is located one mile off Rodney Rd.
This tract consists of 250 ac. +/- mixed aged w/utilities available. This tract consists of good
hardwood/pine timber and plantation pine,
hdwd. timber in a great hunting area.
40 ac. +/- two yr. old clear-cut and
$112,200. Call Tom.
52 ac. +/- semi-open pastureland. Property
features a plush 2 story 3 BR 2 BA furnished
4.7 & 5.3 Acres Claiborne Co.
home built in the 1830's, several ponds, interior
These tracts are located in the Hankinston
road system, established food plots w/stands
Comm. near Big Black River. 4.7 ac. tract has
and a nice shop/game processing building
mature hdwd. & 5.3 ac. tract is open w/mature
w/walk-in cooler. $997,750. Call Charles.
hdwd. on 3 sides. Utilities are avail.
$5,000/ac. Call Ken.
65 Acres Copiah Co.
Prime hunting bordering White Oak Creek just
72 Acres Copiah Co.
east of Hermanville. Property is a mix of open
Located 5 miles from Hazelhurst on Hwy 28 W
land surrounded by mature hdwd.
in a great hunting area. Property has a
timber and plant.pine. $200,000. Call Ken.
beautiful 3900 sf lodge/home w/45 ac. of
mature timber and 27 ac. of pasture. This tract
7.5 Acres Hinds Co.
is a Showplace! $451,000. Call Ken.
Secluded tract near Pocohantas off Hwy 49
960 Acres Carroll Co.
w/nice 2700 sf home, electric gate and great
deer hunting. $270,000. Call Don.
“One Of A Kind - Showplace”
Hwy. 51 frontage between Winona and Vaiden
529 Acres Rankin Co.
with beautiful 4,397 sf Turn-of-the-Century
Luckett Lodge Retreat 2 story home built in 1900. Property consists
RECREATIONAL PARADISE.
of: 569 ac. cropland, 217 ac. fenced
Property consists of Lodge, Convention Hall,
pastureland and remainder in timber offering
Chapel, 1.8 mile Sporting Clay Trail,
exc. hunting. Property has attached 3 car
Cypress Lake and excellent Hunting/Fishing.
garage with shop, office, kitchen and restroom.
Located just off Hwy. 25 near
Farm has large shop and equipment shed.
Ross Barnett Reservoir. $5,000,000.
$2,400,000. Call Ken.
Call Don.
1620 Acres Pearl River Co.
117 Acres Jefferson Co.
Located on Hwy. 43 west of Picayune,
property offers excellent deer/turkey
Property consists of 93 ac. of 15 yr. old
hunting. This tract has great development
plantation pine and rest in merchantable
potential and owner will consider splitting.
timber, w/food plots & ponds.
REDUCED $6,480,000. Call Ken.
$395,000. Call Charles.
10-950 Acres Rankin Co.
Pine/hdwds & nice h’sites.
Owner/agent. Call Ken.
10 Acres Simpson Co.
Outside Mndhall city limits. Will consider splitting.
$35,000. Owner/Agent. Call Ken.
48 Acres Stone Co.
SHOWPLACE - Lodge, steel building,
lake & food plots w/stands. Adjoins DeSoto NF
& Little Biloxi WMA (approx 15,000 ac.) exc.
deer/turkey $469,000. Call Ken.
421 Acres Warren Co.
Near Oak Ridge, live creek, food plots w/exc
deer/turkey. $673,600. Call Bill.
132 Acres Claiborne Co.
Very nice merch. hdwd. timber tract near
Natchez Trace. Excellent deer/turkey w/ live
creek and food plots. $318,528. Call Ken.
24 Acres Claiborne/Hinds Co.
Mature timber w/ camphouse and pond. Great
deer/turkey hunting tract. $60,000. Call Ken.
150 Acres Sunflower Co.
Cropland w/catfish ponds & wells + 3BR home
+ shop. Land is eligible for WRP & CRP.
$450,000. Call Bill.
289 Acres Sharkey Co.
Property located 1.5 miles from Delta Nat'l
Forest and ¼ mile from Little Sunflower River.
This tract consists of 12 year old CRP
hardwood with excellent hunting.
$578,000. Call Bill.
333-244-135 Acres
Wilkinson Co.
Miss. River bottomland tracts offering
excellent deer/duck/hog hunting in the
Lakes Mary & Artonish area. Call Tom.
280 Acres Madison Co.
Just off Hwy.16E w/8 ac. lake - 230 ac.
is 24 yr old plantation pine & rest in mature
hdwds. Blacktop frontage/utilities/good interior
roads. $938,000. Call Don.
96 Acres Jefferson Co.
This tract has 84 ac. plantation
pine thinned in 2008 & rest in hdwd.
bottoms w/creek & pond. Exc. deer/turkey
$287,040. Call Tom.
Ken Hall - Broker - 601-942-9513
Tom Middleton - Associate Broker/Forester - 601-597-5727
Charles Feltus - Sales Agent/Appraiser - 601-431-8285
Sales Agents
Dale Edgar - 601-540-7795 • Don Schmidt - 601-416-5878
Bill Crigler - 318-201-0744 • Barry Maxwell - 318-719-0318
Noah Reeves - 318-282-6703
See pics of these and other hunting tracts
at www.landinvestments.ms
www.mossyoakproperties.com
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated
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JUNE 2011
Mississippi Sportsman 17
24 hour Towing
HUNTING LAND
• 15 acres +/- Hinds County - Tract has paved road frontage, water and electricity
available to several home-sites, small pasture and good timber, possible small lake site,
$4,650 per acre.
• 82 acres +/- Hinds County - Great recreational/investment property, 30 acres of 10
year old pine plantation, about 20 acres of regenerated clear-cut, remaining acreage in
merchantable hardwoods, paved road frontage with water and electricity available.
$219,000.
• 470 acres +/- Kemper County - Joins the Alabama line Black Prairie property with
CRP income, big deer. $615,000.
• 37 acres +/- Covington County - Excellent accessibility, good balance of timberland
and open land, 12 acres of permanent pasture, and completely fenced with 5-strand
barbed wire. Can be developed as recreational/hunting property with 3 shooting houses
and numerous ATV trails, $135,000.
• 192 acres +/- Chickasaw County - Property has 4-6 year pine plantation and a 4acre stocked lake. Good timber investment and/or recreational property, $297,000.
indicates two tons of lime per
acre for example, there is no need
to put four tons in an effort to
more quickly rectify the situation
or avoid future applications.
Some of the additional lime will
likely be lost to washing before
it has an impact on the soil.
Annual applications are the only
logical approach.
“The maximum amount is two
tons per acre per year, and let it
incorporate into the soil,”
Schmidt says. “What I do on my
place is put out the amount of
pelletized lime I can afford. Over
the years, I will get the pH up.”
It is difficult to impossible to
stockpile in hopes of avoiding
future applications.
What may at first appear a
great mystery to the uninitiated is
not a mystery at all. For food
plots to be all they can be, pH
must be balanced as per the crop
being planted. The difference
between a plot growing in soil
that has a pH value suitable to
that particular crop and one that is
in soil with a pH not suitable to
that particular crop is dramatic. A
simple visual inspection will
show the benefits of proper pH.
The plants will be lush, healthy
and the animals will relish them
rather than drop by for an
occasional nibble. There simply is
no substitute for the effort
required in getting pH in balance.
So, does pH really matter?
Without question it does. It must
not be overlooked by the foodplot planter who wants the most
from those plots. ■
Tony Kinton grew up hunting
and fishing in Mississippi. His
writing career of more than 30
years has
permitted him to
hunt 17 states,
four Canadian
provinces and
South Africa. He
lives in Leake
County with his
wife Susan.
Please ask about other available properties for
recreation, investment, or retirement.
(5263)
888-777-LAND
Check Us Out At www.msland.com
18
Mississippi Sportsman
JUNE 2011
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