Foliar Feeding: Using Liquid Fertilizers to Sweeten Your Food Plot

Foliar feeding is the process of spraying your plants' leaves with liquid fertilizer. This method of fertilization improves the absorption rate of essential nutrients for your crops to grow faster and healthier. This approach not only speeds up growth but also attracts more wildlife to your property!

Why Foliar Feeding Matters

Foliar feeding involves applying a nutrient-rich liquid directly to the leaves of plants. This is particularly beneficial if your soil lacks crucial nutrients, which can hinder plant growth.

One of the key benefits of foliar feeding is its ability to "sweeten" plants. When plants receive the right nutrients through foliar applications, they produce more sugars, improving their brix levels (a measure of the sugar content in the plant). This not only makes plants healthier but also more attractive to wildlife, such as whitetail deer. Deer have an exceptional sense of smell and are drawn to plants that are sweet and nutritious. By enhancing the sweetness of your food plot plants, you will attract more deer and keep them coming back.

Choosing the Right Liquid Fertilizer

To get the best results from foliar feeding, selecting the right liquid fertilizer is crucial. Here are some key components to look for:

• Balanced Nutrients: Your foliar fertilizer should contain a well-rounded mix of essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as trace minerals that plants need to thrive.
• Humic and Fulvic Acids: These natural substances help improve nutrient uptake by making minerals more available to plants.
• Natural Surfactants: These agents help the nutrients stick to the plant leaves, ensuring better absorption.

For a more budget-friendly option, if you didn't apply dry fertilizer, foliar feeding can be a good alternative. When your food plot includes brassicas, adding 2-3 lbs. of 16-0-0 nitrogen to your foliar mix can enhance bulb size. Plant-derived soy protein is an excellent source of nitrogen that boosts the growth of brassica plants.

Best Practices for Foliar Feeding

To maximize the effectiveness of foliar feeding, consider these best practices:

• Timing is Everything: Apply foliar fertilizers early in the morning or late in the day when plant stomata (tiny openings on the leaf surface) are open. This timing allows for the highest nutrient absorption. Evening applications are particularly effective, especially when there is overnight dew to help with absorption. Avoid applying during the middle of the day or in drought conditions, as the stomata are closed and the absorption rate is low.
• Water Quality Matters: Rainwater is ideal for foliar feeding because it's free from contaminants that can affect nutrient absorption. If rainwater isn't available, ensure that your tap water is tested for quality to avoid potential issues.
• Compatibility Check: Always perform a jar test when mixing different products to ensure they are compatible and won't cause any adverse reactions.

Does Foliar Feeding Replace Traditional Fertilization?

While foliar feeding is highly beneficial, it doesn't replace the need for traditional soil amendments and fertilizers. Instead, it complements these practices. For optimal results, combine foliar feeding with a comprehensive approach that includes soil testing, proper fertilization, and diverse food plot blends. This combined strategy will help build healthy soils, improve nutrient balance, and ultimately enhance plant growth and wildlife attraction.

Using Thunderstorm Fertilizer on Your Food Plot This Fall

Thunderstorm Fertilizer by Thunder Ridge Outdoors is the recommended fertilizer for sweetening your food plots and attracting the most whitetail. Foliar application of Thunderstorm Fertilizer supplies more digestible trace minerals to the deer via the plants than a mineral site can provide. By improving both the soil and plants in your food plot, you are improving the health of the deer feeding there. Learn more about Thunderstorm Fertilizer, or find a dealer near you.