Chufa is a warm-season perennial sedge that produces underground tubers highly favored by wildlife. Planting chufa in Alabama establishes a high-energy food source for wild turkeys and, in certain locations, waterfowl. These tubers are a valuable source of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, sustaining birds from fall through the spring breeding season. Successful chufa plots depend on correct timing to ensure tubers fully mature before the first fall frost.
Regional Planting Timelines in Alabama
The ideal planting time for chufa varies significantly across Alabama due to microclimates. The primary trigger is a consistent soil temperature of at least 60°F, preferably 65°F, and the passing of the last spring frost danger. Planting too early risks poor germination, while planting too late may not allow the necessary 90 to 120 days for tuber development. The general window runs from April through June, broken down into three distinct regions.
In South Alabama, which includes coastal areas and the southern tier of counties, the soil warms fastest, allowing for the earliest planting window. The best time to plant chufa in this region is typically from early April to early May, once the average last frost date has passed and soil temperatures stabilize. This early start maximizes the growing season, potentially leading to higher tuber yields.
Moving into Central Alabama, which encompasses major cities like Birmingham and Montgomery, the planting season begins a few weeks later. The optimal window for Central Alabama ranges from late April to mid-May, aligning with the later last frost dates and the subsequent rise in soil temperature. This timing ensures the young plants avoid cold shock but still allows for a full three to four months of summer growth.
North Alabama, including the Appalachian foothills and the Tennessee Valley, has the latest planting window because the spring warm-up is slowest. Planting should be held off until mid-May to early June to ensure a frost-free period and required soil warmth. Planting as soon as conditions allow is necessary to ensure full tuber maturity by late fall.
Preparing the Soil and Seeding Depth
Proper soil preparation directly impacts tuber production. Chufa grows best in well-drained, sandy, or loamy soils, though it tolerates a wide range of soil types. A soil test should be conducted well in advance to determine the need for lime, as chufa thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0.
Physical preparation involves tilling or discing the plot thoroughly to create a firm, smooth, and weed-free seedbed. A smooth seedbed, often achieved by dragging after initial discing, is important for consistent planting depth. Chufa is established either by broadcasting the seed or by drilling it in rows.
The seeding rate typically ranges from 35 to 50 pounds per acre for broadcast planting, with drilling using a slightly lower rate. The seed must be covered 1 to 2 inches deep to ensure proper germination and establishment. Broadcasting followed by a light pass with a harrow or cultipacker achieves this necessary shallow coverage.
Managing Growth and Weed Control
Effective weed control is a high priority because chufa is a poor competitor against other vegetation. Controlling grassy and broadleaf weeds before the chufa sprouts is the most effective strategy. This pre-planting control can involve applying a non-selective herbicide, such as glyphosate, two weeks before planting to clear the area entirely.
Fertilization should support tuber development rather than excessive leaf growth. The initial application should be low in nitrogen but rich in phosphate and potassium. Apply a balanced fertilizer blend, such as 13-13-13, at planting according to soil test results. When chufa plants reach 6 to 12 inches, apply a top-dressing of nitrogen, often ammonium nitrate, to promote vigorous growth.
If weeds emerge after the chufa is established, post-emergent selective herbicides can be used to control grasses or broadleaves without harming the chufa, which is itself a sedge. Mechanical options like light discing or mowing are generally not recommended for weed control in chufa. Allowing the chufa to grow tall and dense will eventually create a canopy that naturally suppresses later-emerging weeds.
When Tubers Are Ready for Wildlife
Chufa plants require a minimum of 90 to 120 frost-free days to complete their life cycle and fully develop mature, high-calorie underground tubers. Planting during the correct regional window ensures this maturation period is met before the first hard frost of the year.
The visual cue that tubers are ready is the natural senescence of the above-ground foliage in late summer or early fall. The bright green leaves turn yellow and eventually brown, indicating the plant has finished producing and channeled its energy into the tubers. Once the top growth has died back, the tubers are ready for foraging.
The food plot becomes fully available for wild turkeys and other ground-foragers from late fall through the winter and into the following spring. The dead foliage conceals the tubers, forcing turkeys to scratch and spread their foraging activity over a longer period. On clay soils, lightly discing the plot in the fall may be necessary to expose some tubers and introduce the food source.