Food Plot Question / Help

[scottvid]

Hey guys,
Had a quick or not so quick question. This is my first time planting a food plot, We sprayed roundup, and 2 weeks later (today ) tilled our plot, About 1 1/2 acres. We are going to plant Antler King and when we tilled there was quite a bit of grass clumps that was not chopped up. Antler King said not to worry about them as long as they were dead clumps of grass, It would just act as a mulch. Any advice? We were wondering if we should rake them up or just plant over them. There is about 2 to 4 inches of tilled dirt under the clumps. Some areas had no clumps but some did. Any advice would be great as long as it is good advice..Also think it is OK to plant in this HEAT, We can water by tractor after we spread the seed but do not want to water every week unless we need to.
Thanks
Svid

[deerhunt45]

Hey Scott, welcome to the forum.

The food plot guys on here will be along soon to give you some insight into their experience. Check back often and enjoy the forum!

45

[Bawana]

I agree with antler king, if you sprayed it with roundup two weeks ago it should all be dead, so don't worry about it.

[Milo]

there is always a good chance you will get residual growth any time you start a food plot in a grassy area. you seed should have a head start on it so you should be okay.

[Lucky]

I agree with Milo.

[Big H]

One suggestion, next time try brush hogging or mowing the plot before you work the ground. Mow it as close to the ground as you can. I would get your seed in the ground as soon as you can.

One of the best things you can do is a soil test to determine your PH level and what your soil is lacking, so that you use the correct amount of fertilizer, and lime. If you did not do a soil test, I would recommend that you put at least a couple hundred pounds of lime/acre and use 12-12 12 or similar fertilizer when you plant.


And I also agree with Milo.

[Bawana]

This is the way I do my fall plots:
I soil test mid June, Mow area down close as you can. Add lime if needed.
End of July mow down close again and spray with roundup.
Mid August work up ground (till, disk, plow,harrow, or whatever your using), fertilize if needed, and plant, preferably right before a rain. (planted 8/11)
Mid September I will give my oats and brassica an additional shot of high nitrogen fertilizer, once again trying to do it right before a rain.
Mid October start killing some does!!!!!!!

[bowhunter1023]

Milo is right. Personally I like to get all the dead grass off. Mainly because I am a perfectionist and I like to see nice, clean, soil when I go to plant. But it is not a big deal if it is dead. Having a harrow for that would be a great way to get some of it off. A couple of quick passes would do. Or get creative like I did this year. I have a post coming that will illustrate what I mean.

[Buckmaster]

Your grass may be dead however it will probably come back naturally.
You will experience some minimal weed growth by mowing time. I would spray with a Grass-B-Gone or Poast about a week after mowing. I wouldn't suggest mowing after July 4th. Fertilize again in September.

[buckster]

Till or disk around the plot then burn the plot.
Always burn aginst the wind before you light the other end, this will take care of your grass problems.
I burning is not possible then mow as close asyou can before spraying. Time to get seed in the ground..

[TheCream]

Last year was our first year with plots, and we learned a few valubale lessons.

#1, spray RoundUp before working the ground, no matter how sparse the ground cover is. We worked up what was a turnaround spot after some loggers left the land we hunt. There was hardly any grass on it, so we ignored it and used a Plotmaster to tear it up, fertilized, and planted. We have fought grass growth ever since in that clover! We finally, after 3 sprayings this summer, have most of it killed off.

#2, illicit the help of a farmer with experience in the area. We had a neighbor help us out this year, and it made a world of difference. Don't let pride get in the way of asking for help!

This year, we took this approach, in this order:

-soil test
-Mow it
-Spray it with KillzAll
-plow
-lime
-disc
-fertilizer
-disc
-seed
-cultipack

And the last thing, pray for rain! It has rained on our new plots 4 times in about 10 days, including the night it was planted. :coolgleamA: