Food Plots Not sure exactly what to do

[lafn96]

I should have sprayed by now, but my side by side is down waiting on a fuel pump. Neighbor yesterday told me I could use his. As you can see in the pic, lots of tall dead wheat/oats; with mostly weeds underneath. Should I spray asap; then mow in a week or so; then broadcast and mow again when rain seems almost certain?

Equipment I have is the sprayer, mower; hand-spreader for seed; chainlink drag and a cultipacker.

 

[pk117ac23]

I'm replying because I'm curious at the responses as well.
Best of luck to us! We are no-till, no-spray food plot but I didn't get tarps laid down in time to kill off weeds/ grass.

 

[megalomaniac]

As long as you go really slow with the sprayer and get thorough coverage of the weeds, it will work fine to spray A couple weeks before you plan to scatter. Seed and move the thatch down on top of the seed.

 

[lafn96]

As long as you go really slow with the sprayer and get thorough coverage of the weeds, it will work fine to spray A couple weeks before you plan to scatter. Seed and move the thatch down on top of the seed.

Since there is ZERO rain in the forecast; would I be better off to mow now; spray in about two weeks, then broadcast and mow as low as possible a couple weeks after that?

 

[BSK]

Personally, I would do nothing until rain looks immanent. I've been having very good luck spraying after spreading seed and mowing, as in the day after. Still got a very good kill. I didn't think I would, but I have gotten really good kills.

 

[TNTreeman]

If your broadcasting wheat/ Oates / rye/ clover etc I'd wait till rain is forecasted and broadcast seed, then mow . I don't spray much for fall plots. First frost takes care of that. Thatch will protect and hold moisture IMO .

 

[BSK]

I focus in westcentral TN and right now, the models suggest the possibility of rain next Thursday and Friday, and then again around Labor Day.

 

[megalomaniac]

We got all plots bishhogged a week ago with hopes of spraying and planting this weekend. No dice since no rain.

I think I'm going to go ahead and burndown my lowest lying plots this weekend and have them sitting on go to drill just before next rain since they hold moisture and can easily become too soggy. The other 15 acres I will probably wait until jist before the 2nd rain event to drill as the ground is so dry right now and it is firm enough to drill even if there is some moisture in the soil between rain events.

 

[lafn96]

Walked through that plot Saturday morning; and the undergrowth is so thick I don't think the seeds would get to the ground if I broadcast before mowing. Seed then mow anyway?

Good news is there's rain in the forecast starting this Friday, 30%-50% chance and about .2-.5 inches each day for about 5-6 days. Hopefully the % chance improves as we get closer.

 

[BSK]

Walked through that plot Saturday morning; and the undergrowth is so thick I don't think the seeds would get to the ground if I broadcast before mowing. Seed then mow anyway?

Good news is there's rain in the forecast starting this Friday, 30%-50% chance and about .2-.5 inches each day for about 5-6 days. Hopefully the % chance improves as we get closer.

As you cut, seeds will fall to the ground. But overseed anyways. When broadcast seeding into standing crops, increase the seeding rate by 50% over recommended.

 

[lafn96]

As you cut, seeds will fall to the ground. But overseed anyways. When broadcast seeding into standing crops, increase the seeding rate by 50% over recommended.

Thank you!