Food plot weed control

[tef]

I plan on planting cowpeas, rape, & turnips this fall. I'm mowing area tom. and will disc early Aug. and again before planting in early Sept. When should i apply weed killer, and what should I use. Will it kill what I'm planting. I've never used any before and the weeds really choke out my plots. Only have about 3/4 ac plot, but always draws in deer. Do I wait and spray it after plants and weeds emerge, etc. Any help appreciated. What is the cheapest that will work? Thanks.

[jkf123]

I would plow in August like you said. Roundup anything green about a week before you plow in September. Fertilize (if needed), plow and plant (timed to a rain, of course). You will still get some fall "weeds" growing in your plot but deer like most weeds anyway. You could always spot spray problem weeds when they emerge.

The last time I bought Roundup at TSC is was around $200/2.5gal concentrate. I bought about a year ago and I still have 3/4 bottle.

[tef]

Anybody?

[tef]

ok thanks. Will the round up kill my plants also?

[jkf123]

Not if you Roundup before you plow and plant. If you use Roundup after your plot emerges, then yes it will kill it (unless it is Roundup Ready seeds). My understanding is that Roundup only kills live plants and doesn't affect seeds in the soil.

If you spot spray problem areas after the seeds emerge Roundup will kill surrounding plants if it comes into contact with the Roundup.

What kind of weeds are you having a problem with?

[Low Fence]

You only need to plow once. Plowing now early and just letting it sit will only loose soil moisture and promote weed growth.

Mow a month before planting, then allow new growth to grow for 7 days. This will allow the new leaf growth to take the poison to the root better. Spray with round-up or generic (Eraser, strike out, Razor, ect.) a min 14 days before shreading and plowing. It will look sick or dead in 6-7 days but allowing 14 will insure complete root kill.

If only spraying grasses and weeds you can apply 2 2/3 oz. (I'd use 3) per gallon of water. My spray rig usually takes around 20gal. per acre

Like said above, once your plants come up, spot treating is your only option

[Gladesgator]

You can find generic Roundup (41% glyphosate) on the internet in 1 gal or 2.5 gal. cheap including shipping. The spraying the regrowth after mowing and waiting 14 days to disc is the only way to go.

[tef]

Sounds good. I have a starting point with a good plan now. I appreciate ya'lls help. I do plots every spring and fall, but always skimped on the weed control. I want them to last a little longer and be healthier. Thanks

[Leftridge]

Weeds aren't a big problem for fall plots.. If you sprayed right now it would be to kill everything and conserve moisture the plants are currently using. I'd spray now to give time for the plants to start breaking down in the soil also..

Every time you disk you loose soil moisture so I'd not disk till right before I planted, but thats just me..

[canny]

Heck with roundup you can spray wait about 2 hours and plant over it.

[Andy]

remember useing the eraser it will kill just about everything you spray it on not only broadleaf weeds ......Andy

[SFAthumper]

on a plot that size, use whatever roundup product you were thinking of using now.... apply the roundup again just before disking in late August..... this takes out the current weeds and those that you will release with the first application