Imperial Winter-Greens
Planting Instructions
Imperial Winter-Greens is an extremely high-quality forage seed blend. Planting Winter-Greens 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 food plot, and the ultimate impact on the quality of your deer and wildlife.
The following are detailed, step-by-step instructions for planting Imperial Winter-Greens. Each step is important, so don’t cut corners. By following all of the steps, you should have phenomenal results from your Winter-Greens. The only thing left to chance will be Mother Nature. When you plant your Winter-Greens correctly, you’ll 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 Winter-Greens, see our planting guide video/DVD, or call (800) 688-3030, extension 2.
Planting Instructions
1. Select an area that is well-drained.
2. Stay within the planting dates for your area as shown on the back of your Imperial Winter-Greens bag. For optimum production, try to plant at least 50 days before your first anticipated frost.
3. Soil test for brassica to determine fertilizer and lime requirements. Add the amount of lime your soil test report says is necessary to raise your soil pH to 6.0 or higher to the surface of the seedbed. (If no soil test is available, add a minimum of two tons of lime per acre to the surface of the seedbed. Do not skip this step - proper pH is critical to forage growth.
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.
4. Add 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.
5. Disc lime and fertilizer into seedbed to a depth of four to six inches. When discing the plot, disc at multiple angles and from multiple directions if possible – try to mix the lime and fertilizer into the soil as thoroughly as you can.
6. 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 Best Results: Wait two weeks after discing and smoothing the seedbed (steps 5 and 6), and allow grass and weeds to start growing again. Then, spray the seedbed with a glyphosate herbicide such as RoundUp or a generic equivalent. After applying the herbicide, wait at least ten days before planting. Do not turn the soil again before planting. Always read and follow herbicide label directions.
8. Broadcast at least 6 lbs. of seed per acre. If you use a hand spreader, adjust the seed opening to about 1/8 inch. This adjustment will help ensure proper distribution of seed. This is usually the smallest setting on most hand- or shoulder-type 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.
9. DO NOT drag over the seed or otherwise cover it. If you used a cultipacker (roller) to smooth the seedbed in step 8 (before seeding), roll the plot again after seeding to press the seed against the surface of the plot. If you used a weighted, fence-type drag to smooth the seedbed in step 8 (before seeding), DO NOT drag the plot again after seeding!)
10. 30-45 days after you plant your Imperial Winter-Greens, fertilize again using 33-0-0, 34-0-0 or similar high-nitrogen fertilizer at the rate of 100 pounds per acre or equivalent. Apply fertilizer when plants are dry.
11. Optional: After planting, place a small wire basket over a portion of your Winter-Greens so wildlife can’t graze that area. Watch the difference inside and outside the basket.