Ask Big Jon
Real Questions From Real Customers
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Q: I have planted Imperial Whitetail Clover for years, and your instructions say to maintain it with a zero-nitrogen fertilizer. I planted some Extreme this year, though, and I saw that you do recommend nitrogen. Why the difference?
A: Basically, the difference is “nitrogen fixation,” a process that the perennial plants in Imperial Whitetail Clover undergo and that those in Imperial Extreme do not. Nitrogen is key to rapid forage growth; plants need nitrogen to produce chlorophyll, and the more chlorophyll they can produce, the faster they can grow. Nitrogen-fixating forages, such as the clovers in Imperial Whitetail Clover, begin to form nodules on their roots shortly after they begin to grow. Bacteria in these nodules convert nitrogen from the air into organic forms that these plants, and to some extent other plants growing around them, can use. A little nitrogen does need to be added at planting to get nitrogen fixators up and going, but after that, additional nitrogen is not necessary. In fact, adding additional nitrogen can slow the plant’s nitrogen fixation (if it doesn’t need to fix its own nitrogen, why would it?) and can also stimulate competition from grass and weeds. Some plants, including the perennials in Imperial Extreme, are not nitrogen fixators, so nitrogen must be added in the form of higher-nitrogen fertilizers, both at planting and during annual maintenance.
Q: Why do your instructions for planting Extreme, Winter-Greens and No Plow suggest top-dressing with additional high-nitrogen fertilizer a month or so after planting?
A: Good question! There are three reasons (or perhaps one reason in three parts). First, nitrogen is crucial to rapid forage growth - plants need nitrogen to produce chlorophyll— and the more chlorophyll they can produce, the faster they can grow. Second, the perennial plants in Extreme are not nitrogen fixators (they don’t convert nitrogen in the air to a form they can use), so nitrogen must be added in the form of high-nitrogen fertilizer. Third, unlike phosphorous and potassium (the second and third numbers on the front of blended-fertilizer bags), nitrogen (the first number) doesn’t stay around long once it is exposed to the environment. That’s why we recommend applying high-nitrogen fertilizers (for example, 22-0-0, 33-0-0. 34-0-0, or 46-0-0) 45 days or so after planting to boost forage growth in our forages that are not nitrogen fixators (e.g.: Imperial Extreme, No Plow, Winter-Greens and others).
Q: How well will No Plow grow in soil that is very acidic if I don’t add lime before I plant?
A: The simple answer is potentially not as well as it would if you follow our planting instructions, which include the addition of lime to the surface of the plot. Acidic soil is actually optimum for some plants, such as some grasses and garden ornamentals for example. Deer forages, though, generally tend to perform best in a soil pH of 6.5-7. No Plow is a very forgiving forage blend when it comes to soil pH; it will tolerate lower pH but note that I said "tolerate." If you want your No Plow to perform up to its best potential, the safe thing to do is follow all of the planting instructions, including adding lime. Adding lime for No Plow is an even easier process than liming the soil for a perennial planting. Liming the seedbed for No Plow requires less lime, and tilling the lime in is not required. So, don’t skimp on liming or any other recommended planting step. Those steps are there for a reason, and if you skip steps, you will probably not enjoy the results you could have had if you’d followed the planting instructions.
Q: Does the Whitetail Institute still sell Alfa Rack (Alfa Rack Plus without chicory)?
A: Yes, but only direct from our office and in limited quantities. Alfa Rack now contains Insight ladino clover, the new, highly drought-resistant strain of clover developed by the Institute and included in its Imperial Whitetail Clover blend. Alfa Rack also contains the new X-9 technology grazing alfalfas of Alfa Rack Plus. In short, Alfa Rack with the same latest improvements as Alfa Rack Plus, but without WINA 100 brand chicory. The Institute does not keep large amounts of Alfa Rack on hand, though, and it is not available through retailers. Accordingly, you should call us at (800) 688-3030, ext. 1 to check on availability and ordering.