I posted this before but thought I would do it again since spring is here. Let me first start off by saying I am not a fan of spring food plots. Too many weeds to deal with. I am a fan of late summer/early fall plots because you don't have weed issues:smiley_clap:
So.....you have no tractor....no 4 wheeler......no implements? You're still in luck. For the price of a back pack sprayer you can have a great food plot this fall and your buddies will think you went through the extra expense to rent a tractor. You have to get jump start on the weeds though early this spring.
May- Spray with gly
June- Spray
July- Spray
August- Spray/plant same day
Spraying 4x over the spring/summer starting in May will kill a majority of your weeds. Spraying in May will keep you from having to mow. Wait until June and there is a good chance the weeds are waist high or better........then you will need a bush hog.
In mid-late august spray and plant the same day. By august you should have a clean field of nothing but dirt. Now what to plant? I've said this before and I will say it again, only certain seeds can be over seeded onto bare ground and still grow. Some of these seeds include...
Winter rye (my #1 choice)
Wheat
Brassicas
Clover
If planting cereal grains find a day in mid/late august when rain is expected and broadcast about 100# of winter rye per acre and 8-10# of white clover. I go a little heavy when over seeding because some seed won't make it or get eaten by birds. You can also mix some wheat in there as well. By next spring you will have a weed free clover plot that will last you anywhere from 3-5 years. That winter frost seed more clover to thicken it up. When the weeds start taking over again redo the process
If planting brassicas do the same thing but plant in July for maximum tonnage. Brassicas can be tricky because they love Nitrogen and without tillage it is tough to incorpate N into the soil with a heavy rain.
Although I have access to a tractor and tiller through a buddy.......I have tried this method on several occasions and my plots turn out just as good as if I had broken ground. Due to not breaking ground, I usually don't have the weed issues like I would have from disturbing the soil.
Good luck!
So.....you have no tractor....no 4 wheeler......no implements? You're still in luck. For the price of a back pack sprayer you can have a great food plot this fall and your buddies will think you went through the extra expense to rent a tractor. You have to get jump start on the weeds though early this spring.
May- Spray with gly
June- Spray
July- Spray
August- Spray/plant same day
Spraying 4x over the spring/summer starting in May will kill a majority of your weeds. Spraying in May will keep you from having to mow. Wait until June and there is a good chance the weeds are waist high or better........then you will need a bush hog.
In mid-late august spray and plant the same day. By august you should have a clean field of nothing but dirt. Now what to plant? I've said this before and I will say it again, only certain seeds can be over seeded onto bare ground and still grow. Some of these seeds include...
Winter rye (my #1 choice)
Wheat
Brassicas
Clover
If planting cereal grains find a day in mid/late august when rain is expected and broadcast about 100# of winter rye per acre and 8-10# of white clover. I go a little heavy when over seeding because some seed won't make it or get eaten by birds. You can also mix some wheat in there as well. By next spring you will have a weed free clover plot that will last you anywhere from 3-5 years. That winter frost seed more clover to thicken it up. When the weeds start taking over again redo the process
If planting brassicas do the same thing but plant in July for maximum tonnage. Brassicas can be tricky because they love Nitrogen and without tillage it is tough to incorpate N into the soil with a heavy rain.
Although I have access to a tractor and tiller through a buddy.......I have tried this method on several occasions and my plots turn out just as good as if I had broken ground. Due to not breaking ground, I usually don't have the weed issues like I would have from disturbing the soil.
Good luck!