Food Plots Spray and throw?

[buckaroo]

I sprayed a grassy hilltop that was knee high 3 weeks ago, waited a week sprayed again then threw rye grain and ladino on a very dead looking field, it's been two weeks with several rains but nothing turning green?

 

[BlountArrow]

Yeah, I would have thought by now your rye would be more than evident. Typically in a week rye is germinating and an inch or two tall. Sounds like the seed either never made contact or has yet to make contact with the soil. I've used this method you mention but the couple times I have done it I have been in a position where I could also burn it before throwing down seed. That's disappointing; clover ain't cheap either. I wonder if it would make it any better if you mowed/bushhogged the hill top...but you may have to re-seed too.

 

[buckaroo]

Yeah I'm thinking of cutting it down and throwing more seed?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

My fields that were done the same way on around the same time frame are a few inches high now. I wouldnt expect to see much with clover but would with the rye. Have you looked for any germinated seed?

 

[buckaroo]

But if I do that it will cover my seed and prevent the next batch from hitting ground, maybe I should give it another week?

 

[PickettSFHunter]

And when you say grass... Was this like a thick fescue field?

 

[buckaroo]

Yes thick fescue

 

[BlountArrow]

How big an area? Are you in a position you could burn it?

 

[buckaroo]

Half acre, not really wanting to burn, a little risky along the edge of thickets and small pines

 

[PickettSFHunter]

If its that thick your seed may not be reaching the soil. Hard to say without being there on site. Have you checked the ground to find seed and see if it has germinated?

 

[BlountArrow]

I agree....you got anyway at all to rake it, rip it, or at least scratch the surface to expose some ground?

 

[Jarred525]

I usually bushhog mine a couple of weeks after spraying and then broadcast the seed with a rain. I have had good success with wheat/rye.