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Post by smsmith on Dec 7, 2020 19:33:58 GMT -6
A question/statement from little Jerry.
Does anyone use herbicides to spray on the edges of food plots? Reason, grasses and small trees and shrubs rob food plots of moisture and nutrients.
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Post by Sandbur on Dec 8, 2020 3:46:09 GMT -6
I do not as I like the cover along the edges of the plot. Shrubs and young trees are also browse.
Can you spray at a certain time or way to get edible regrowth at an advantageous time?
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Post by Catscratch on Dec 8, 2020 6:51:22 GMT -6
I like a lot of diversity. Prairie type mix of warm seasons grasses and forbs. Those types of plants contribute a lot to soil health, water infiltration, and carbon. Figure I want the healthiest soils possible next to my plots.
Read up on "quail strip disking". Lots of info out there on how to spray or disk to get edible regrowth.
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Post by smsmith on Dec 8, 2020 8:05:46 GMT -6
I don't spray the edges, but I will eliminate large junk trees when possible/feasible. I like cover right up to the edge of plots, seems to make deer more comfortable and encourages use earlier in the afternoons/evenings.
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Post by sd51555 on Dec 8, 2020 9:34:50 GMT -6
The edge is where all the diversity is. If I ever get a round tuit (foggy), I'd like to do some saw work around my plots to thicken up their perimeter with stem count. If I was hell bent on doing something, spraying is the last thing I'd do. I'd mow, saw, or push it back with equipment. I wouldn't be killing, not knowing what could take it's place.
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Post by smsmith on Dec 8, 2020 10:47:20 GMT -6
If I was ever going to spray something on the edges, it would be a grass specific herbicide. Any broadleaves or brush/young saplings are welcome.
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Post by terrifictom on Dec 8, 2020 11:55:46 GMT -6
I leave mine. Deer love to make rubs and licking branches. Also on a several occasions this year I watched deer browse on the dried up golden rod that grows around my food plots. As others have said it makes deer a little more secure when coming into food plots. If any thing maybe plant a 5 foot strip of clover around the outside edge of food plot.
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Post by benmnwi on Dec 8, 2020 12:04:45 GMT -6
I plant fruit trees and encourage good wild shrubs to grow around the edges of my plots. Something will fill in on those edges since lots of sunlight is available, so I try to make sure it is something good. Scattered oaks or possible tree stand trees also get a free pass.
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