Frequently Asked Questions
- Where will chufa grow?
- First of all, ask yourself, would corn grow in this field? Chufa will grow most anywhere corn will. Their growth requirements are very similar. The growth cycle is 90-100 days, and chufa likes sunlight and prefers a well-drained soil.
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How many pounds should I plant to the acre?
- Broadcast chufa at a rate of 40 pounds per acre or plant or drill chufa at about 30 pounds per acre.
- What's the best way to plant chufa?
- I you don't have a high-priced drill or planter, broadcasting works well for planting chufa. If you do have a planter, a corn or peanut plate works well.
As for a drill, it works great but expect some seed to get cracked in the seed cup because chufas are irregular in size. Whichever method you choose, just be sure the chufa is planted 1-2 inches deep in good moisture. It can take up to 2 weeks for chufa to come up in dry conditions. - What is the best pH and fertility for chufa?
- For the best yields, soil samples should be taken. Chufa does well in the pH range of 5.0-7.0. Chufa needs 150 pounds of 10-10-10 or 13-13-13 per acre at planting. If you want to get the most out of your chufa plot, apply another 50 pounds per acre of 21% nitrogen when the chufa gets about 6-8 inches tall.
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Will it come back next year?
- It is possible to get 2 years out of a chufa plot, but it depends on how much the turkeys and other wildlife leave behind. In duck ponds and impoundments, chufa has to be replanted every year.
When do the turkeys (ducks) start using the chufa plot?- Turkeys usually start feeding in chufa plots around Thanksgiving when the weather turns colder and other food sources disappear. For ducks, impoundments should be flooded to about 8 inches of water.
- What do I do for weed control?
- Cyprus Knee Chufa provides first hand knowledge on how to control weeds in a chufa plot. It is important to keep your chufa plot clean with little weed competition; you'll get reduced yields from a weedy plot. Always be sure to have a clean, weed-free field before planting.
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What is the best-sized food plot?
- We encourage plots 1/2 acre or larger in size. Small plots are more likely to be destroyed by other wildlife. It is also important to have one big chufa plot before planting smaller ones on the farm. You need to make it easy for turkeys to find you chufa plot the first year.
- When is the best time to plant chufa?
- Planting dates depend on your region. Chufa can be planted after the last frost in the spring. Chufa planted in warmer conditions seems to do better than those planted in cool weather. A general rule is from late April to early July.
- How do I keep the turkeys out of my chufa while it is growing?
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"A 100lb lab named Scarlet"