Managing Weeds in Your Food Plot

Proper weed control in your food plot is one of the main strategies in producing a green, lush food source for your deer herd. Weed control begins when planting your food plot and continues through the entire cycle, depending on an annual or perennial food plot.

When establishing your food plot, a common mistake many food plotters make is tilling your area and waiting to sow. During the process of tilling soil, weed seeds can be brought to the soil surface and will be ready to germinate. If you wait even 24-48 hours to sow your seed after tilling, these weed seeds are already ahead of what you are planting. To help your food plot get off to the right start, seed as soon as possible following tilling.

Another popular method for weed control in your food plots is mowing. This method is typically done with perennial food plots, especially clover and broadleaf plots. Mowing can rejuvenate your food plot and cut back weeds that are beginning to take over your plot. In a well established perennial broadleaf plot, mowing can be done 2-3 times a year. When mowing, use a high setting so as to not injure any of the desired species. Also note, if you mow an annual plot, such as Fall Kill Plot, if plants have entered the flowering or reproductive, stage it could potentially kill the plants.

Spraying food plots is another method that controls weeds. Knowing the proper chemicals and species to control is a must when spraying. In clover plots, use our grass killer GrassOut to control all grass weeds. If your plot is all grasses, you can use our broadleaf killer CrossBow to decimate weeds. When spraying, always follow label instructions for proper mixture and application.

In conclusion, proper managing of weeds in your food plot begins with proper establishment and continues with mowing and spraying. Our team at Elk Mound Seed is always available to assist with questions. We look forward to helping you establish that lush food plot for your deer herd.