Mow it, wait a few days and spray it. When the foliage looks like it was kissed by the angel of death, disk the hell out of it. Here is what I've learned these past 18 years planting food plots. The best plants for new plots are rye grain and winter wheat. I like rye grain a little better for it makes excellent green manure the next spring.
Here is my most successful recipe for a year-round plot that deer will use regularly in every season. In late summer prepare your plot as described above. Do not forget to add lime at one and a half tons to the acre. Lime is more important overall than fertilizer. However, fertilizer will be needed at a rate of 200 pounds per acre. I use 19-19-19.
Plant your seed mix of rye grain, wheat, or both. Broadcast at 100 lbs/acre. Adding in about 5 lbs of crimson clover and 3 lbs of red clover will extend the life of your plot well into the following spring. Try to time your sewing just prior to a rain as the rain will drive your seed into the soil as well as provide needed moisture for germination. After 2-3 weeks sew the thin or bald spots again for good measure.
In late February to early March frost seed some more red clover into the plot. Another 3-4 lbs simply broadcast will work wonders. Also, this is an excellent time to lime again at about half of what you did in the fall. In late May mow the plot very close. At this time sew in about fifty lbs of buck wheat. In mid July or after the Buckwheat has gone to seed, mow the plot again. Mowing will spread the buckwheat seed and keep the plot attractive to deer.
In mid September, you are ready to plant fall grain crops and clover again. Do not spray unless you absolutely must to control invasive grasses. After a few seasons following this routine you may want to add winter oats to replace the rye grain or wheat. You can plant a mix of all three if you so desire.
Remember, lime is very important! I lime frequently but in diminishing amounts as the soil becomes less acidic. Mowing, as needed, serves two purposes. It helps to control weeds somewhat and keeps the plants in a more tender state which deer find much more palatable.
