Don't Plant Yet! Soil Health Secrets for Growing Giants | 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 473
In this episode of the 100% WILD Podcast, Matt Drury and Tim Kjellesvik transition from the end of spring turkey season straight into the dirt science of whitetail deer habitat management . They welcome Mark from Nutrien Ag Solutions, a leading plant and soil health field manager, to demystify the underground ecosystem that dictates antler development, herd health, and vegetation success. Mark breaks down why viewing soil as a living biome is the ultimate mental shift required to stop throwing money away on unsuccessful food plots, outlining how micro and macro-organisms support high-tonnage forage .
The crew dives deep into actionable summer and fall strategies, exploring the critical difference between plant palatability and digestibility and why certain seed varieties attract deer better than others . From detailing proper soil sampling techniques to using drought-tolerant seed technologies and liquid applications to survive late-summer droughts, this episode addresses the single biggest mistakes food plotters make . Whether you are managing an intensive clover plot, prepping fall brassicas, or looking for ways to suppress noxious weeds without compromising nutrition, this conversation provides layman-friendly blueprints to grow bigger bucks on your hunting property.
00:00:00 – Last-minute turkey camp recap and the massive fish fry
00:01:40 – The Great Fried Biscuit Incident of 2026
00:02:56 – Introducing soil health expert Mark from Nutrien Ag Solutions
00:04:31 – How soil health directly dictates antler development
00:06:52 – Soil as a biome: Why no-till drills protect macro-organisms
00:08:58 – Memorial Day planting timelines for corn and soybeans
00:12:52 – Liquid vs. granular applications to jumpstart soil biology
00:17:14 – Why soil sampling is the vital first step for weekend warriors
00:20:37 – Beating the summer drought with heat-tolerant seed technology
00:24:40 – Fall food plot prep for brassicas, radishes, and winter wheat
00:26:59 – Palatability vs. Digestibility: What deer actually crave
00:34:37 – Clover plot maintenance: Suppressing noxious weeds safely
00:40:51 – The single biggest mistake hunters make planting food plots
00:43:09 – How small-scale food plotters can get professional consulting
00:47:39 – Gut health similarities: Human nutrition vs. feeding your dirt
Go to nutrienagsolutions.com and lovelandproducts.com for more information.
Join the Rack Pack Facebook Group :/ n73gskjt7bfb2ngc
Get ahead of your Game with DeerCast available on iOS and Android devices App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/deerc...
Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Don't forget to stock up for your next hunt! 1st Phorm has you covered!
Protein Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/protein...
Level-1 Bars: https://1stphorm.com/products/level-1...
Energy Drinks: https://1stphorm.com/products/1st-pho...
Hydration Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/hydrati...
Send us a voice message on Speakpipe!
https://www.speakpipe.com/100PercentW...
For exciting updates on what's happening on the field and off, follow us on social
Facebook: / @officialdruryoutdoors
Instagram: @DruryOutdoors
X: @DruryOutdoors
Be sure to check out http://www.druryoutdoors.com for more information, hunts, and more!
Music provided by Epidemic Sound http://player.epidemicsound.com/
#dodtv