Jake Allen
Senior Member
Does anybody else spray fertilizer on their Foodplots? We plant forage oats on many plots totalling about 6 acres. These are spread out through pines, fields and oak flats. Sandy soil, (Schley County).
Last year was the first year I sprayed. I bought a water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer from an online supplier, 25# bag for $52.00, shipped. The directions call for 2 tablespoons of solution per 1 gallon of water. Application rate 5 gallons per acre. I sprayed all 6 acres with 45 gallons, twice, 30 days apart. Oats last year were healthy, dark green, and grew into spring. The game kept the oats mowed like a golf course, but they kept growing.
So, the mix was 3 cups and a skosh, (there are 16 tablespoons in 8 oz) of 20-20-20 per 25 gallons of water, into a ATV mounted boom sprayer. I dissolved the fertilizer in a 5 gallon bucket of water before pouring into the tank. Then filled the tank. Driving the 4 wheeler kept the solution mixed.
I ran the volume at about 75% capacity, spraying about a 10' path. I drove the wheeler at about 3 mph. Nothing to it.
When all done, after 2 full applications and all the fertilizer we used, the total bill was about $30.00 to keep 6 acres of Oats healthy and growing in Sandy Soil until Spring.
I sprayed yesterday for the first time this year, but added highly dissolved Lime to the mix, which at 5 gallons of dilution per acre, should bring the PH up 1 point within 10 days, and last 60-90 days. Adding the lime only costs another $12.00 per tank.
I am looking forward to seeing the results in about 2 weeks.
Last year was the first year I sprayed. I bought a water soluble 20-20-20 fertilizer from an online supplier, 25# bag for $52.00, shipped. The directions call for 2 tablespoons of solution per 1 gallon of water. Application rate 5 gallons per acre. I sprayed all 6 acres with 45 gallons, twice, 30 days apart. Oats last year were healthy, dark green, and grew into spring. The game kept the oats mowed like a golf course, but they kept growing.
So, the mix was 3 cups and a skosh, (there are 16 tablespoons in 8 oz) of 20-20-20 per 25 gallons of water, into a ATV mounted boom sprayer. I dissolved the fertilizer in a 5 gallon bucket of water before pouring into the tank. Then filled the tank. Driving the 4 wheeler kept the solution mixed.
I ran the volume at about 75% capacity, spraying about a 10' path. I drove the wheeler at about 3 mph. Nothing to it.
When all done, after 2 full applications and all the fertilizer we used, the total bill was about $30.00 to keep 6 acres of Oats healthy and growing in Sandy Soil until Spring.
I sprayed yesterday for the first time this year, but added highly dissolved Lime to the mix, which at 5 gallons of dilution per acre, should bring the PH up 1 point within 10 days, and last 60-90 days. Adding the lime only costs another $12.00 per tank.
I am looking forward to seeing the results in about 2 weeks.
