How to Plant Weed Fields for Deer Cover

Prepare the weed field for planting by burning it first to destroy the less beneficial grasses such as Bermuda grass, tall fescue, orchard grass and Johnson grass. These non-native species invade the land, inhibiting the native species from growth and development.

Keep watch on these cool season grasses as they regrow to a height of about 10 inches tall. Select the invading plants for elimination and use a suitable herbicide spray to rid yourself of these grasses once and for all. Autum is the best time of year to spray and destroy non-native plants.

After destroying the invading species of plants and grasses see what grows back in one-to-two years. Once the non-native plant species are gone, native annuals, indigenous grasses and forbs will naturally appear on their own. Within two years the perennials will bloom and increase in numbers.

Wait about two years before planting the field in spring time. Depending upon how many beneficial grasses and plants have taken hold, will determine how much and which types of vegetation to plant. Some of the more favorable to plant are native warm-season grasses (NWSG), indiangrass, switchgrass and bluestem. Shrubs and brambles are an important element to consider when planting a field; not only do bushes, such as, elderberry, blackberry, and hawthorn offer cover, they also provide a valuable food source for deer.

Develop a plan when considering what varieties to plant in your field. Try a ratio of one-to-two pounds of forbs and about six pounds of indigenous grasses per acre. In the spring and summer month’s deer rely on native forbs to supply about 70 percent of their food. Include in your planting some of the forbs that deer like to eat, such as ragweed, wild strawberry, sunflowers and pokeweed.

Strive to achieve a planted field consisting of 50 percent forbs, combined with 50 percent ground cover by native grasses, interspersed with thickets of brambles and shrubs, spaced at a distance of about 100 yards.

Plant warm and cool season food plots to provide deer with food during times of nutritional distress. For cool season, try planting a blend of wheat, crimson clover and oats. Warm season food plots include a blend of annual legumes, such as, iron clay cowpeas, soybeans and American jointvetch.