plot ???

[mike]

we had a food plot that didn't turn out so great this year. my question is should i till it up know and plant something like winter wheat or what? it is all 6 ft tall weeds know! thanks

mike

[dogdoc]

don't know how much growth you'll get planting this late in Central Iowa???

[mike]

thats my thoughts exactly! didn't know but my partner wants to try something i told him i would ask you guys! wondering if just mowing it off and hay raking it all off and lettin the new green come up might be just as affective for this season. it was this plots first year so it is crazy weedy! it was turnips mixed in with max rack clover

[dogdoc]

is there quite a bit of clover and brassicas below the weeds? If so as soon as you get your first freeze it will kill the weeds--if the clover and brassicas are there the deer will find it

[ousoonerfan22]

Could you mow it down close to the tops of the brassicas and then throw some wheat on it?If you're getting these warm temps and have some moisture in the ground maybe some of the wheat would come up?

[wtnhunt]

Dont know how much more growing you got left, but here Could still get away with mowing it pretty close. Would mow it about 6-8 inches high. The clovers are probably still there under the weeds.

[Born2Hunt]

[ QUOTE ]
Dont know how much more growing you got left, but here Could still get away with mowing it pretty close. Would mow it about 6-8 inches high. The clovers are probably still there under the weeds.

[/ QUOTE ]I agree. If you mow it 6-8 inches tall you may produce some new growth with fresh shoots. This may be your only choice for this season.

[LETMGROW]

I'd at least mow it if for no other reason than weed control. We had a plot that went crazy with ragweed. We mowed it, york raked it and removed all the weed. A lot of work, but I don't want weed seed in my plots if I can help it!
You would probably get little if any growth if you replanted anything but rye or winter wheat. Your best bet might be to mow it down, spray it and let the roots deterioate throughout the winter. This would give you a jump start next season.
Irregardless of what you do, don't get discouraged. We all have problems. We just have to deal with them.

[luckyman4]

I'd give mowing a shot, too. . . in my experience clovers respond well to mowing. I thought alot of my clover was gone this summer, but I mowed for weed control and now I have some good clover plots.

The only argument I would have against mowing might be if the deer are using the tall weeds as a bedding area. . . that might be as attractive, if not more, than whatever might grow after a mowing.

[LETMGROW]

luckyman4 makes a good point. I have started to mow in sections leaving feeding and bedding areas. When mowed areas recover I mow the next section, then the next. Kind of a rotational thing but the deer always have good food, good cover and new growth coming up. Takes a little planning but it is doable!