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Let it Rain

Sponsored by Chapin Outfitters

By Jace Bauserman

Anyone who has been following my food plot blog knows that the weather in southeast Colorado has been less than cooperative. In fact, most farmers still don’t have crops in the ground. The lack of snow in Colorado’s high country coupled with Mother Nature’s lack of cooperation has put planting on hold.

Staying true to our plan, my food plot partner Jason Weaver and I have stayed patient. Not wanting to haul water to our plots, we decided to simply watch the weather and wait. That patience finally paid off. With a mix of rain and snow in the forecast for the week of May 7-13, we went to work. This past Saturday, we got the first of our three food plots in the ground, and today, Monday, May 7, it is pouring rain.

After clearing debris and leveling the ground, we utilized Biologic’s new digital pH meter and performed a soil test. Because the ground was so dry, we placed some soil in a bucket, added distilled water and then took a measurement. The soil reading was a 6.2, which is really good, as 7 is considered neutral. After adding the right amount of Premium pH Fertilizer, the seed was ready to hit the ground. Thanks to my Chapin BioLogic Broadcast Spreader, this step was a breeze. We seeded the entire plot in less than 30 minutes.

Being that we are located in the Transitional Region, Jason and I decided to go with New Zealand Clover Plus. Aside from being an excellent deer and turkey attractant, Clover Plus produces larger leaves and thinner stems for added nutrition and ease of digestion.

Two pounds of New Zealand Clover Plus covers .25 acres of land. Being that our plot was exactly one acre, we spread six pounds of the Clover Plus. Using the calibration chart and adjustable flow rate of my Chapin 50 Pound Push Broadcast Spreader, ideal seed distribution was easily achieved.

With one plot in the ground and rain falling, our plan to wait seems to be paying off. As for the pictures, well, we had a small accident. Because this particular plot is located on the east side of the Purgatorie River, we had to use an ATV to cross it multiple times. On his last trip across the river, Jason took a different route, found a big hole and submerged both his phone and camera. We will be planting again later in the week and will be updating the blog with photos and helpful video clips. For now… just let it rain!

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