Imperial “Chic” Magnet
Planting and Maintenance Instructions
Imperial “Chic” Magnet is an extremely high-quality forage seed blend. Planting Imperial “Chic” Magnet in the correct type of soil (pH, soil type, etc.), planting according to directions and favorable weather conditions can all contribute to the success of your planting, and the ultimate impact on the quality of your deer and wildlife.
The following are detailed, step-by-step instructions for planting Imperial “Chic” Magnet. Each step is important, so don’t cut corners. By following all of the steps, you should have phenomenal results from your Imperial “Chic” Magnet. The only thing left to chance will be Mother Nature. When your Imperial “Chic” Magnet is planted correctly, you will find that you have done one of the, if not the, best things you’ve ever done to improve the quality of your deer and deer hunting. You should see more deer and better-quality deer.
If you have any questions about how to plant Imperial “Chic” Magnet, see our planting guide video/DVD or call (800) 688-3030, extension 2.
Planting Instructions for
Imperial “Chic” Magnet
(For Maintenance Recommendations, See Below)
1. Select an area with heavy, moisture-holding soils or soils that are moderately well drained.
2. Stay within the planting dates for your area as shown on the back of your Imperial “Chic” Magnet bag. Do not plant during hot/dry weather.
3. Soil test for an herb to determine fertilizer and lime requirements. Imperial “Chic” Magnet needs a soil pH of 6.0 or higher to achieve optimum performance. If your soil test report says your soil pH is below 6.0, add the amount of lime recommended in your soil-test report to the surface of the seedbed. (If no soil test is available, add a minimum of 2 tons of lime per acre to the surface of the seedbed.) Do not skip this step - proper pH is a very important part of soil preparation.
Helpful Hint: Use a soil-test kit that requires that soil be sent away for analysis (not a probe- or slurry-type kit). High-quality soil test kits are available from The Whitetail Institute, county agents, agricultural universities and centers, and most farm-supply stores. The Whitetail Institute’s consultants can help you understand your soil-test report as a free service, so feel free to call us with questions.
4. Add the lime into your seedbed, preferably at least a few months before you intend to plant, and disk the lime in to a depth of 3-4 inches.
5. Smooth the plot thoroughly with a cultipacker (roller) or a weighted, fence-type drag. (See video for details). A cultipacker is recommended. This step is critical to eliminate any cracks that might allow the seed to get too deep, so get the seedbed as smooth as possible.
7. Option for Fall Plantings: If you are planting in the spring, skip this section, and go to step 8. The following can be a good option if you are preparing your seedbed for a fall planting, especially if the area was highly infested with grass or weeds when you started. Disk your lime in, and smooth the plot in the spring (steps 5 and 6), and then wait a few weeks to allow grass and weeds to start growing again. Then, spray the seedbed with a glyphosate herbicide such as RoundUp or a generic equivalent. Continue to spot spray as needed through the summer. Once you smooth the plot and begin applying RoundUp, do not turn the soil again so that you do not bring up more dormant weed and grass seeds and reinfest the plot. After applying the herbicide, wait at least ten days before planting. (Always read and follow herbicide label directions.)
8. When you reach planting time, broadcast the fertilizer recommended by your soil-test report to the surface of the seedbed (If no soil test is available, add 400 lbs. of 20-20-20 or equivalent fertilizer per acre.)
9. Set your spreader to an opening of about 1/8 inch. This is usually the smallest setting on most hand spreaders.
Helpful Hint: To assure complete, even coverage, it is a good idea to put one half the amount of seed required for the plot into the spreader and try to cover the entire plot with it, and then repeat the process but apply the remaining seed from a different direction.
If you used a cultipacker (roller) to smooth the seedbed in step 6, go to step 10. If you used a weighted, fence-type drag to smooth the seedbed in step 6, skip step 10 and go to step 11.
10. If you have a cultipacker (roller), roll the plot again after seeding to press the seed against the surface of the plot. However, DO NOT drag the plot again after seeding!)
11. 30-45 days after planting, fertilize the plot again with 100 pounds of 33-0-0, 34-0-0 or other high-nitrogen fertilizer. This can be repeated at 45-day intervals until plants mature.
12. Optional: After planting, place a small wire basket over a portion of your clover so wildlife can’t graze that area. Watch the difference inside and outside the basket.
Maintenance Instructions for
Imperial “Chic” Magnet
(For Planting Recommendations, See Above)
13. Yearly Fertilization: Fertilize Imperial “Chic” Magnet every year, in the spring or early fall, with 300 pounds of 20-20-20 fertilizer, or equivalent. Many planters choose to fertilize their “Chic” Magnet in the fall when grass and weeds are going dormant. . Apply fertilizer when plants are dry.
14. Mowing in the Spring and Fall: If possible, mow the top off your plot several times in the spring and then once again in the fall. Mow the plot just before the forage plants or any weeds or grasses appear to be ready to flower (start producing seed heads). Mowing will help you control many upright, annual weeds that rely on reseeding. It will also help keep your “Chic” Magnet even more lush, attractive and nutritious. (“Chic” Magnet does not have to re-seed to grow from year to year. It grows from the root system, which one reason why Imperial “Chic” Magnet maintains high protein levels all year.) Do not mow or apply herbicides within one week of each other. Do not mow when conditions are hot and dry.
Helpful Hints: For best results, try not to let your “Chic” Magnet grow so tall that you will have to cut more than an inch or two off the top. Your purpose is just to “top out” the plot. Do not mow below six to eight inches. Remove clippings if possible.
15. Grass Control with Herbicides: Controlling grass is crucial to the continued quality and lifespan of your forage. The Whitetail Institute offers Arrest grass herbicide for use in Imperial “Chic” Magnet plots. Arrest is designed to work best on seedling grasses, meaning grasses that have not matured to the point that they are taller than 12 inches. Controlling grass that has matured may be more difficult. Arrest rapidly enters grass and stop foliage growth. Normally, it takes within 20 to 30 days to see the full effect of Arrest. Slay broadleaf-weed herbicide is not recommended for use on “Chic” Magnet.
16. Soil pH: Soil test every 2-3 years to insure proper pH and fertility. You may need to add more lime every few years. Many planters elect to top-dress their plots with 800-1,000 pounds of lime every year to help maintain optimum soil pH and plant production.
If you have any questions, please call The Whitetail Institute’s in-house consultants toll-free at (800) 688-3030, Extension 2.