The Need for Seed
NWTF experts answer your questions about the NWTF's seed and seedlings programs
Q: What does Project HELP stand for?
A: "HELP" is the NWTF's acronym for Habitat Enhancement Land Program. This program provides high-quality seeds and tree seedlings at competitive prices, as well as many other products to help you bring more wildlife to your land.
— Cissy Penner, coordinator of NWTF's Project HELP, Conservation Seed and Seed Subsidy programs
Q: I own property in middle Georgia (Pulaski County). What seed/seedlings are available for that area and where can I get planting and care guidelines?
— Tommy Ellis, Jacksonville, Fla.
A: Georgia is one of the states that participate in our Seed Subsidy Program, offering members an opportunity to purchase chufa at a reduced rate. Notices regarding this program will go out to all members in early February. Available seedlings may be found in the NWTF's online Turkey Shoppe within the land management section. Georgia is located in zone eight of the planting guide, which is also available online.
— Cissy Penner, coordinator of NWTF's Project HELP, Conservation Seed and Seed Subsidy programs
Q: What seeds will be available this year? Who will be distributing the seed? Are distributions done on a chapter level or a state level? Also, how does a person get signed up to take advantage of this great program? Thanks!
— Jeff Kilgore, Mobile, Ala.
A: The NWTF will offer Roundup Ready Corn, Milo, Soybean, and Winter Wheat through the Conservation Seed Program. The seed is distributed through NWTF chapters. To participate you'll need to contact your local chapter to see if they are participating in the program.
— Cissy Penner, coordinator of NWTF's Project HELP, Conservation Seed and Seed Subsidy programs
Q: I'm interested in trying to establish native grasses on my property. What is a good resource to find the varieties that work for my area and does the NWTF sell grass seed?
— James Anderson, Sevierville, Tenn.
A: The Project HELP catalog, which is being updated now, will offer four different native warm season grass mixes. Watch the NWTF's Web site for the new catalog. Also, the University of Tennessee has an excellent publication available through the Extension Service entitled "Native Warm Season Grasses — Identification, Establishment and Management for Wildlife and Forage Production in the Mid-South." It would be a good investment.
— Cissy Penner, coordinator of NWTF's Project HELP, Conservation Seed and Seed Subsidy programs, and Donnie Buckland, NWTF's director of upland programs
Q: How can I find out more about the seeds/seedling program? Our community is not familiar with the NWTF and I think programs like this could enlighten our community on some of the benefits of becoming a NWTF member. My husband and I have been working to sell banquet tickets for our chapter and were surprised at how many people asked us what the NWTF was and what the Federation does.
— Sandra Smith, Summersville, Mo.
A: As an NWTF membership benefit, we offer free seedlings of various oak species through our Operation Oak landowner program. These seedlings can be planted on private lands.
Missouri also participates in the Operation Heartland program where each chapter receives free oak and green ash seedlings to plant. There are also a variety of annual and perennial mixtures, as well as seedlings and warm season grasses, available for sale through Project HELP.
— Jennifer Tapley, NWTF wildlife biologist, and Donnie Buckland, NWTF's director of upland programs
Q: How do you get on a list of landowners to receive seeds and seedlings?
— Frieda Hickman, Milo, Mo.
A: Missouri participates in the Operation Oak landowner program, which provides free tress to landowners who are NWTF members. Please contact NWTF Regional Biologist John Burk for details about this program.
— Jennifer Tapley, NWTF wildlife biologist
Q: The seed mixes have been mostly medium red - why not more ladino and alsike? Red seems to dominate and grow taller than I would like.
— James Sides, Madison, Ind.
A: The perennial concentrate mix available through Project HELP includes about 50 percent white clovers. It is difficult to find a mixture that is suitable for all soil types and conditions, and most stands need to be rejuvenated every two to three years. Both types are beneficial for attracting insects and brooding cover; however, deer hunters do seem to prefer the white clovers.
— Donnie Buckland, NWTF's director of upland programs
Q: When can I purchase chufa?
A: Spring is the best time to purchase chufa. You will find our retail chufa offered in the spring 2010 Project HELP catalog. To learn more about chufa, a favorite food for wild turkeys, click here.
— Cissy Penner, coordinator of NWTF's Project HELP, Conservation Seed and Seed Subsidy programs
Q: Is chufa ever offered at a reduced rate?
A: Certain states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, participate in the NWTF's Seed Subsidy Program. Chufa prices vary depending on the amount of money allocated from the state. If you are an NWTF member in one of theses participating states, you should receive a notice either by mail or newsletter. If you are not a member, you can participate in this program by joining the NWTF and obtaining a member number before placing your order.
— Cissy Penner, coordinator of NWTF's Project HELP, Conservation Seed and Seed Subsidy programs
Q: When do the seedlings ship?
A: The NWTF offers container-grown and bare-root seedlings. The container-grown seedlings will ship mid-October and the bare-root seedlings ship mid-January.
— Cissy Penner, coordinator of NWTF's Project HELP, Conservation Seed and Seed Subsidy programs
Q: What are the best seed blends to create user-friendly habitat for songbirds, turkeys, quail and grouse? Also, what are some drought-resistant and heat-tolerant seeds you sell? What type of seed preparation - like lime and fertilizer - should I take into consideration for these seed blends?
— Ray Carter, West Point, Va.
A: It is really difficult to recommend a "best" or a "one size fits all" seed for all the species you mention. Songbirds, turkeys and quail readily eat seed produced in most food plot mixtures. While grouse eat some seeds, they are primarily "budders" and feed on a lot of tree buds and other plant parts including fruit and berries.
All these species utilize plots seasonally and most seeds are taken after the plots mature and make seed. Other than the actual food value of the seeds, an even more important use of food plots may be that the species that you mention use these areas as brooding and feeding areas for both adults and young. These plots usually contain heavy insect populations that attract these birds and their young - especially wild turkeys and quail - to forage for insects, which is critical for their growth and development.
Drought and heat, as well as rainfall, can certainly affect the success of plantings. No planting can be considered totally drought and heat resistant - or deer resistant! NWTF sells several mixtures through the Project HELP program. You might be interested in the annual Southeast grain mix for traditional food plots and perhaps the perennial clover concentrate for more of a "green plot" that encourages brood raising and insect production. The grain mix contains several varieties of small grain with different maturity dates. You also may want to consider planting milo or grain sorghum in your plots because they tolerate various climatic conditions well.
Before any planting, it is always a good idea to obtain a soil test and follow any recommendations. You should be able to obtain information on soil testing from your local county extension service.
— Donnie Buckland, NWTF's director of upland programs
