There is no set way to prepare a food plot since conditions are different everywhere.
QUESTION: How soon after spraying to kill weeds and grasses can you plant a food plot? Should the plots be disced, or planted using a no-till drill? — Harold
ANSWER: Conventional wisdom suggests you wait about two weeks between spraying and planting. As for whether to disc or drill, much depends on existing conditions. If there is a thick sod layer, discing will be your best option as you’ll need to break up the sod to allow seed to reach the soil. If it is particularly dense, as in an established field, you may even disc, wait a week then repeat the herbicide application since there was likely a heavy seed layer that will germinate after tilling.
If the soil is relatively loose and not densely vegetated, a no-till drill might be a better option. It’s less time and labor intensive, prevents soil erosion and is better for the soil as it doesn’t disrupt microorganisms in the soil that promote plant growth. Bear in mind this method is more effective with smaller seeds like clover and chicory.
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