Personal Plot Throw & Gro Review

First Thoughts on the Personal Plot Throw & Gro

The Personal Plot Throw & Gro from (no manufacturer specified) promises a simplified solution for creating small food plots in those hard-to-reach or previously unplantable areas. The concept is appealing: a sweet, fast-growing forage that requires minimal effort, ideal for hunters aiming to attract deer or other wildlife to their hunting spots. At $12.49 for a 5lb bag, it seems like a budget-friendly option to supplement existing plots or establish new ones in remote locations.

My hunting property includes several steep, rocky areas that are nearly impossible to access with traditional equipment. I was looking for a no-till solution that could be applied quickly and easily to these areas, offering a consistent food source for deer. This product appeared to fit the bill, promising a “throw and grow” approach that eliminates the need for tilling and heavy machinery.

Upon receiving the bag, I noticed it was a standard 5lb seed bag. The seed mix itself appeared to be a blend of various small grains and legumes, but without specific details on the seed types included, it’s difficult to gauge the overall nutritional value or long-term viability of the plot. I was initially skeptical about the “no-till” claim, as most successful food plots require some level of soil preparation for optimal seed germination and growth.

Having used seed blends from Whitetail Institute and BioLogic in the past, I chose the Personal Plot Throw & Gro primarily due to its low price and the promise of a hassle-free planting process. While those other brands offer more detailed information on seed composition and specific nutrient blends, they also come with a significantly higher price tag. I was hoping to find a more affordable alternative that could still provide a decent food source for wildlife.

My first impression was a mix of cautious optimism and skepticism. The low price is definitely attractive, but the lack of detailed information raises concerns about the quality and effectiveness of the seed mix. The real test will be seeing how well it germinates and grows in challenging conditions.

Real-World Testing: Putting Personal Plot Throw & Gro to the Test

First Use Experience

I tested the Personal Plot Throw & Gro on a section of my property that’s notoriously difficult to access. It’s a steep hillside covered in rocks and fallen logs, making it impossible to till or even spread seed with a conventional spreader. The area receives partial sunlight throughout the day and tends to retain moisture, even during drier periods.

I spread the seed mix by hand, attempting to distribute it as evenly as possible across the designated area. The ground was slightly damp from a recent rain, which I hoped would aid in germination. I didn’t perform any soil preparation, adhering to the “no-till” instructions. The weather was mild, with daytime temperatures in the mid-60s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s, ideal conditions for seed germination.

After the first week, I started to see some signs of germination, primarily small sprouts of what appeared to be cereal grains. However, the germination rate was noticeably lower than what I’ve experienced with other seed blends. I also noticed a significant amount of seed that simply washed away with the next heavy rain, highlighting the importance of seed-to-soil contact, even with a no-till product.

Extended Use & Reliability

After a few months of monitoring, the Personal Plot Throw & Gro plot did establish a limited amount of forage. The cereal grains grew quickly and provided some initial cover, but the legumes struggled to establish themselves. Overall, the plot was significantly less dense and productive than my other food plots that were properly tilled and fertilized.

The durability of the plot was also a concern. The fast-growing cereal grains provided an initial burst of growth, but they quickly matured and died off, leaving behind bare patches of soil. The lack of a strong root system also made the plot susceptible to erosion, especially on the steep hillside. The plot showed significant signs of wear and tear from deer browsing, but given the low density of forage, it didn’t provide a substantial food source for an extended period.

Maintenance was minimal, as there was little I could do to improve the plot’s performance without tilling or fertilizing. I did attempt to broadcast some additional fertilizer by hand, but it had a limited impact. In comparison to my other food plots, which require regular mowing and fertilization, the Personal Plot Throw & Gro plot was essentially a “set it and forget it” operation, but the results were correspondingly underwhelming. It definitely underperformed compared to food plots where I invested in proper preparation and higher-quality seed blends.

Breaking Down the Features of Personal Plot Throw & Gro

Specifications

  • Weight: 5lb bag. This is a standard size for small food plot applications.
  • Forage Type: Sweet, fast-growing forage. This suggests a blend of cereal grains and potentially some legumes designed for quick establishment.
  • Application: No-till forage. This implies that the product can be spread without prior soil preparation.
  • Target Areas: Plant hard to reach areas. Designed for areas where traditional equipment cannot be used.
  • Goal: Create a food plot where you hunt. Intended to attract wildlife, particularly deer, to specific hunting locations.

These specifications suggest a product designed for convenience and ease of use, sacrificing long-term viability and overall productivity for simplicity. The no-till application is particularly appealing for hunters who lack access to heavy equipment or who want to establish food plots in remote locations.

Performance & Functionality

The Personal Plot Throw & Gro does germinate and grow, but the overall performance is limited by the lack of soil preparation and the unknown seed composition. The fast-growing cereal grains provide some initial forage, but the plot is not as dense or productive as a properly established food plot. The product’s strength lies in its ease of use, but its weakness is its limited long-term viability and overall effectiveness.

While it meets the basic expectation of producing some forage, it falls short of providing a substantial or sustainable food source for wildlife. I’d rate its overall performance as below average compared to other food plot options.

Design & Ergonomics

The product is essentially a bag of seed, so there’s not much to discuss in terms of design or ergonomics. The bag is easy to carry and pour from.

There is virtually no learning curve. Simply throw the seed.

Durability & Maintenance

The durability of the food plot established with Personal Plot Throw & Gro is questionable. The fast-growing cereal grains are not particularly resilient and tend to die off quickly, leaving the plot susceptible to erosion and weed invasion. Maintenance is minimal, but this is primarily due to the limited potential for improvement without more intensive soil preparation.

The plot will likely last only one growing season without significant intervention. Easy to maintain, but not easy to improve.

Accessories and Customization Options

There are no included accessories with the Personal Plot Throw & Gro. Customization options are limited due to the product’s intended no-till application.

While you could potentially add fertilizer or lime to the area, doing so without incorporating it into the soil would likely have a limited impact. The product is not really designed for customization or enhancement; it’s intended to be a simple, straightforward solution.

Pros and Cons of Personal Plot Throw & Gro

Pros

  • Extremely low price makes it an accessible option for budget-conscious hunters.
  • Simple and easy to use: no tilling or specialized equipment required.
  • Suitable for hard-to-reach areas where traditional equipment cannot be used.
  • Provides some initial forage for attracting wildlife.
  • Requires minimal maintenance.

Cons

  • Low germination rate compared to other seed blends.
  • Limited long-term viability: plot density and forage production are underwhelming.
  • Unknown seed composition: lack of detailed information on seed types and nutrient content.


Who Should Buy Personal Plot Throw & Gro?

The Personal Plot Throw & Gro is perfect for:

  • Hunters on a very tight budget who need a quick and easy way to establish a small, temporary food plot.
  • Landowners who want to plant small plots in areas that are inaccessible to traditional equipment.
  • Individuals who are new to food plotting and want a low-risk, low-effort way to experiment with attracting wildlife.

Who should skip this product?

  • Hunters who are serious about establishing high-quality, sustainable food plots.
  • Landowners who have access to tilling equipment and are willing to invest the time and effort required for proper soil preparation.
  • Individuals who are looking for a seed blend with detailed information on seed composition and nutrient content.

Must-have accessories or modifications?

  • While the product is intended for no-till application, adding a small amount of fertilizer or lime to the area might improve germination and growth, but don’t expect miracles. A soil test, even a basic one, would be helpful to determine any major deficiencies.

Conclusion on Personal Plot Throw & Gro

The Personal Plot Throw & Gro is a budget-friendly option for creating small, temporary food plots in hard-to-reach areas. While it offers the convenience of a no-till application and requires minimal effort, its performance is limited by the low germination rate and unknown seed composition. The $12.49 price tag is certainly appealing, but the product’s long-term viability and overall effectiveness are questionable.

While it may be suitable for hunters on a very tight budget or those who need a quick and easy way to establish a small plot in a remote location, I would not recommend it for anyone who is serious about creating a high-quality, sustainable food source for wildlife. There are other seed blends on the market that offer better performance and value for the money, even if they require more effort to establish.

Ultimately, the Personal Plot Throw & Gro is a compromise between convenience and quality. If you’re willing to sacrifice some performance for simplicity and affordability, it may be worth a try. However, if you’re looking for a truly effective and sustainable food plot solution, I would recommend investing in a higher-quality seed blend and taking the time to properly prepare the soil. Consider your needs and expectations carefully before making a purchase.


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