 BuckLunch Planting RecommendationsBuckLunch sugarbeets grow well in almost all soil types, but do require large amounts
of moisture to germinate and grow. Below are some general planting and fertilizing guidelines.
Follow these steps for making food plots for deer. There is also a
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- Planting Food Plots: optimum soil temps of 55 ° F to 70 ° F. Soil temps above or below this range may reduce germination and emergence. For weed control, Roundup® (Glyphosate is the generic form) may be applied prior to tilling or just prior to planting.
| Region | Plant Dates | Forage Season |
|---|
| Northern U.S. & Canada | April 1 - June 1 | Summer/Fall |
| Central U.S. | April 1 - June 1 | Summer
| | August 15 - Sept. 15 | Fall/Winter |
| Sept. 1 - Oct. 1 | Winter/Spring |
| Southern U.S. | Feb. 1 - April 15 | Spring/Summer |
| Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 | Winter/Spring |
- Condition the soil with a disc, chisel plow or similar equipment to prepare a good seed bed.
- Drag the seedbed with a drag or chain link fence to further prep the soil.
- For starter fertilizer use 50 to 100 pounds (per acre rate) of 16-16-16 or 13-13-13 fertilizer. This provides additional nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to the soil for healthier plants. If you are not sure of your soils fertility, have your soil tested. Your local farm co-op or fertilizer dealer can usually help with this.
- Broadcast 8-10 lbs or drill 5-8 lbs sugarbeet seed per acre. If broadcasting, lightly incorporate seed into the soil with a drag or light cultivator. This rate can be reduced proportionately if blended with alfalfa, clover or other seed.
- Simply set the broadcaster to 2 on most spreaders or about ¼ inch (better to have setting set smaller and overlap than to run out of seed).
- Drag the seedbed and cover the seed with ½ - 1½ inch of top soil. If you have access to a roller or culti-packer, this works well to firm the seedbed and promote good seed-to-soil contact.
- Wait for rain or irrigate with about one inch of moisture. Sugarbeets require 12 to 18 inches of moisture during a 5 month growing season.
- Wait about two weeks after emergence and thin the beets with a row crop cultivator or disc set at a pretty straight angle. About this same time, apply about another 20 to 30 lbs. per acre of actual nitrogen (e.g., 44-65 lbs of 46-0-0).
- If moisture is adequate, you can apply 2 more 50 lbs/acre (e.g., 100 to 110 lbs of 46-0-0) applications of actual nitrogen at about 6 to 8 week intervals. Basically, the more nitrogen available without burning the beets, the greater the foliage protein value will be, and the more the roots will grow.
- Sugarbeets take 4 days to 3 weeks to germinate and emerge, depending on conditions. The first stage of beet growth is the canopy or tops. This will be the main growth phase for 4-5 weeks. Then the root growth will become the primary growth phase and that will continue for the next 4-6 months until they reach maturity. Temperatures at freezing (32°F) or below may cause beet loss.
For questions regarding our seed product, please contact us by email at sales@bucklunch.com or phone at: 1-888-373-0667.
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