arkansasbowhunter

I have about 9 food plots that total about 3 acres in size. I have tilled and limed the heck out of them (about 300 lbs per acre). the problem I have is that the grass and weeds that i tilled up are very thick on some of the plots. Do I need to round up these plots and if so how long after can i plant them? the grass is easily picked up but I have to big rake or drag to get it off the plot. I didn' t know if the weeds would resprout.

Also, being a weekend warrior I don' t have the luxury of being able to plant right before a rain. How long after I seed the plots do I have before it needs to rain. sometimes here in arkansas it may go 2 weeks or better before it rains. will the plots not take unless planted right before a rain?

thanks for the help, this is my first attempt to try plotting for wildlife!

Ballistictip

First off, if you haven' t already done it do a soil test. If the pH is low it could take a lot more lime than 300lbs per acre to get it where it needs to be. Then give the plot a couple of weeks to see if the weeds and grass come back. If they had already gone to seed before you tilled it they will likely come back. Once they' re growing again hit them with round up. Wait a couple more weeks and then lime according to the soil test and till it up again.

Seed germination really depends on the amount of moisture in the soil. Given good moisture at the time of planting or a rain shortly after they should start popping up in 4 to 5 days. The seeds will sit dormant for weeks without sufficient moisture. The biggest problem I' ve seen is birds eating the seeds before they germinate.

lunchbucket

We would agree... Also the more you work the soil the more weeds and spore you will bring up. It takes about 18 months to fallow the soil. Do soil samples and figure 2-3 tons an acre to raise the soil pH value 1 point in a year.