2 Easy No Till Food Plot Methods

After nearly 2 decades of perfecting these 2 no till food plot planting methods you can bet that I not only recommended them, but that I have practiced them extensively with great success! Both of these no till methods were discussed in chapter 12 of my 2014 book, "Food Plot Success by Design". After originating and practicing both methods during the end of the 90s and early 2000s, either one can create incredible food plot opportunities for you, depending on your level of food plot planting resources. Whether you only have a back pack sprayer and a hand held broadcaster, or that you can step up to an ATV sprayer, hand held broadcaster and Packermaxx cultipacker, both methods are 10s of thousands cheaper than expensive tractor and drill combos. Even better yet? You can produce the same level of quality quality food plots that the big boys with the big toys can produce, without busting your bank account. Here is your complete guide to planting cheap and easy no till food plots...

[@michaelmazza3934]

What to do if buckwheat didn't grow thick enough and u have some weeds. Still ok to spread seed before spraying.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Michael! Depending on the weeds I hit with 2 quarts per acre of Glyphosate, and smash it down at the same time. If the buckwheat is a lower height like waist high or less you can seed into, smash and spray. If there are stubborn broadleafs like pig weed, smart weed, water hemp, for example, I combine 2 quarts of Glyphosate with 1 pint of 2-4D, smash and spray...and then I wait 7-10 days and THEN seed. If the buckwheat is chest high I smash, spray and wait 7-10 days to plant. The type of weeds determine if I spray 2-4D or not.

[@michaelmazza3934]

Thank you very helpful.

[@williambray7876]

Hunting is over here in Arkansas and Oklahoma Jeff its jan and my food plot on the high line is still green. Throwing that winter Rye in with the clover really helped. I still have clover too its like the thick rye helped the clover survive the cold snaps. And it brought alot of traffic in that area turkeys and new bucks. Cant wait to get out and make the plot alittle bigger and use the buckwheat method.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That's great to hear William! Enjoy this coming planting season ☺️

[@northernmichiganwoodswater]

Jeff, great video, lots of good info. Let me know what you think of this plan for the mid Michigan area: 1. April 1st - spread needed amounts of powdered lime. 2. May 1st or when weeds are ~1foot tall, spray 2 quarts per acre of glyphosate. 3. June 1st - spread 50lbs/acre of buckwheat and then spray area again with 1quart/acre of glyphosate if needed. 4. August 1st - spread brassica seeds on one side of the b.wheat, then run over both sides w/ atv. Then spray 1quart/acre of glyphosate. 5. September 1st - spread 200lbs/acre of rye on the other side plus needed fertilizer/urea on both sides.

[@dalehicks1996]

Can you mix glysophate and 24d in the same tank?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Yes, you sure can!!

[@jaredcep]

The 2 quarts of glyphosate per acre; is that supposed to be combined with a certain amount of water as well or just pure glyphosate?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

The amount of water is determined by your sprayer rate. For example some ATV sprayers spray 12 gallons of liquid per acre...some 15 gallons and some UTV sprayers can sprsy down to 10 gallons per acre. Whatever your rate is...add the chemical and spray. Depends on the brand you have, how many nozzles, how fast you drive and how many turns. Once you calibratr your sprayer per acre...then add the chemical and spray.

[@jaredcep]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I’ll probably be using a backpack sprayer to start. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@randlerichardson5826]

Morning brother

[@nowakezoneforever6021]

Jeff I’m new to your site. I have 75 acres, all woods except for 2 acres of farmland that has been framed as part of a larger parcel next to me. I’ve taken back the two acres. Your videos are so well done and are going to help me achieve my goal of enhancing the wildlife habitat on my land. I don’t hunt and I don’t have a problem with hunting, ie., tracking, stalking, killing. That’s hunting. I do have a problem with ambushing, ie., waiting in a tree or stand for a deer to walk by. That’s ambushing. Anyway, it’s obvious by your books and the number of subscribers and your success that you’re defiantly worth my time as I try to learn how to make a nice environment for the deer population on my land. Btw, I recently watched the video where you talk about too many does nearby and a buck needs his own area. Man that was great. It really helped me understand what I’ve seen on my land and why.

[@kevinfowler6065]

Just listened again making notes in your book I bought and thought of the process once the bucket is ready as S cubed. SEED/SMASH/SPRAY.

[@mikeschuchardt4242]

Can you spray and kill buck wheat instead?

[@underdogoutdoors]

I've used similar methods in the past with great results. On a separate note/topic, behind my own house, I have a few acres of lawn that attracts deer- can't put a food plot because it's my lawn (although I'm tempted to). I lime & fertilize, frost seed clover. I wonder if I can mix in rye grass & still use the yard as a lawn, then when the season approaches, no more barbeque's I hunt the perimeter. It's already attracting good deer, would like to make it better. Thanks for another good video!

[@tomloveric9364]

What sprayer nozzles have you found work best ?

[@randlerichardson5826]

Great informative video brother same as all your videos. You know your stuff for sure. I can make a drag from big cedar posts me and the landowner split with wedges. I’m goin to use your advice this year LORD willing Amen 🙏. I’ve got to go see a orthopedic doctor soon my right shoulder is bout shot. That’s why I’m getting my shoulder looked at maybe this month. Turkey season opens in late March.

[@johnstobbscpa8081]

how small can a plot be and still split between 2 different plants

[@jackbuys3711]

Good morning Jeff! snow and rain here in SW Michigan. good video day!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Good Morning Jack! Nasty here in Eastern OH on way to clients

[@randlerichardson5826]

That’s right bout the weeds deer 🦌 can get browse anywhere. Be safe out there brother and GOD BLESS you and your family Amen 🙏.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Amen Randle!

[@rods-n-regscharters9099]

Thanks Jeff, I really enjoy you sharing your knowledge and experience. I am planning to put your "Ultimate No Till" method this year on our property. Have a great year.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You are very welcome...enjoy it! Have a great year yourself. I love being able to at least get the buckwheat in early...works extremely well and gives me something to plant in June ☺️

[@saroocolibaba]

Can't thank you enough for the information you so graciously share! Found your channel a few weeks ago and have been "studying" every day after work. Looking forward to implementing your teachings on our small tract of land in NH. We are fortunate that we are able to hunt the adjacent property. My wife hunts with me as well. She is not just a go out and shoot girl, she scouts, moves treestands, and helps with food plots. Thanks again. Aaron

[@ericjohnsoncf]

The 2qts of roundup + 1pt of 24D is thrown in the sprayer full of water to mix, right? Also, I have the same sprayer.. how big of a plot & how many passes.. thank you. I enjoy your vids. Upstate NY here

[@tfrost33elkhunter]

Performed my first spray ever June 20th. Am I too late for a good kill on weeds? Planting buckwheat then rye for fall. Southern MN.

[@stevegermain1222]

Hey Jeff Steve again this video really drives it home I realize that you've been saying this for years and I've been just overlooking it thanks again for all the great information I'm giving it a go following it right to the p's and q's why would anybody question your thought pattern thank you sir

[@hootdeltabravo]

I did exactly what you said to do~the 3spray method~it worked fantastically!!!!! Then we got 5 inches of rain and most of it drownded 😬🤪

[@MegaBraunie]

Great Great education. I am doing this for sure! Come on spring....

[@kevinfowler6065]

Okay I’m in this year. Big change for me looking forward to this. As always thank you.

[@stark_outdoors]

If you had a very small naturally occurring water hole that was close to bedding but not in an optimal spot for a line of movement on your land (puts them close to neighbors property) would you fill it in as you put in your own waterhole in a more efficient huntable spot? Deer use it, it's about the size of a 5 gallon bucket. Should I not worry about it or would filling it it since its right next to bedding be a good option as I put in one of your style water holes?

[@suzmell1]

Like I said earlier love your timing on this video goin up soon to try my hand at switchgrass for screening using your method & no till is the only way to go for me unable to get farm equipment at my foodplot location thanks jeff

[@RangerEthan369]

Gonna do my first spray this weekend but I'm wondering this will still work without using 24d? Apparently there's a ban on it here in arkansas

[@paulcrave3112]

Thanks for the video. Lot of information. I’m going to have to watch again.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

You are welcome Paul, I hope that it helps!

[@everettarthur6525]

Um can you add a table such as April 1st Spray with X, June 1st spray again and plant buckwheet etc ? LOL So much informaiton

[@rfb7117]

Excellent information. As you know we followed your recommendations this year for the first time. It worked GREAT!!! I was amazed at how well the BUCKWHEAT worked and it was relatively inexpensive. It introduced a lot of fodder to hold the seed and moisture and to decompose for fertilizer. Do you allow anytime for the roundup to work before planting and cultipacking into the buckwheat, or do you go in the same day and cultipack and seed and plant the food plots? Lots of snow to work on today........

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Bob and good luck with the snow today 😊 I seed into the buckwheat, cultipack and then immediately spray filling the cultipacking...works great! You want the buckwheat to die ASAP, so that sunlight can hit the germinating seeds...in particular the small seeds.

[@rohlfing63]

Good stuff, as always!

[@sambilhorn9282]

Great to see the plot videos come back around 🙂 Soil testing... how do you go about it? Local coop or mail it in? How often? Maybe a simple video on the topic? Thanks Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Sam! Thru the local co op. Depending on where someone is located, their local soil extension office... Some day may do that!

[@travissmith2974]

Jeff been following your videos for a long time and I am going with the buckwheat followed by winter rye in the fall. My questions are 1. can you frost seed buckwheat? 2. why not plant buckwheat as early as possible, let it grow longer than 8 weeks and let it reseed naturally if your gonna terminate it mechanically/chemically? Im converting an old fallow field and want to get this right. Thanks as always

[@chadilacnissen9717]

Thanks, Jeff! The question that has always come to my mind after seeing your methods is the health of the soil being bare for 2 months? Ps, I did the first method mentioned last year and had amazinggg results just as good as if I used our 3pt tiller!1

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Chadilac! If a person doesn't have z choice I use that method...but I strongly prefer my Ultimate No Till method with the buckwheat rotation if someone has the resources. I believe better for soil quality in several ways...

[@chadilacnissen9717]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 agreed. Only downside to buckwheat is ill attract too many does during the summer being in a heavily Wooded area with no ag

[@copedipper7654]

Chadilac Nissen , yeah but those Bucks won’t be far from them Does lol.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@chadilacnissen9717 it is still a marginal attraction tho...but for sure too many does during the Summer are a very bad thing.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@copedipper7654 the bad thing is they push away bucks for the majority of the season. Too many does...very few mature bucks. Balance is critical...roughly 90% of the entire hunting season mature bucks do not want to stick close to doe family groups.

[@outdoorpremonition7251]

Did this confuse anyone else? All the videos just jump from topic to another. Its hard for me to understand step 1 2 and 3. One moment i think i have an understanding and then the next i am just confused. I can't find a solid video on how to start a plot and do the no till with step by step. Not trying to be a jerk just be nice to see a video better put together with producers and times. Jeff knows what he is doing. I need a video for dumby"s. I want to learn and i want to understand more. Just seems when i think i finally get something. Some how the next part throws me for a loop.

[@johnnyballgame7339]

Great video...and I agree on your point about not just putting the bean seed on the ground without the buckwheat. I have tried it and it fails miserably. Aside from moisture issues, I had a problem with turkeys, cranes, and crows plucking any exposed seed. Also I used the Northwoods brassica blend this year and was very impressed with it...great stuff. Can you plant the brassica blend in consecutive years on the same ground? Also when you apply lime, I assume you use minimal equipment, so do you just let the lime sit on the surface and allow rain to leach it into the ground?

[@darrellorr7884]

With lime we used pellets and its is somewhat sowed in

[@danthompson1467]

It's REAL round up is bad news

[@benwatson5012]

Great video thanks ! I'm thinking about screening my plot with egyptian wheat can I plant same process and plant same time as buckwheat

[@copedipper7654]

I live in the South and we usually don’t plant our fall plots till late September and we have waited till early October because of the heat and lack of rain in the past. Can I still use your methods but at later dates due to climate differences? Or do it at the same time as you do yours? I followed your Mock Scrapes to a tee pretty much and I’ve been absolutely Amazed at the results, I had a picture a couple of weeks ago of a Big Mature Buck standing up on his back legs rubbing his face on the licking vine lol. Thanks for putting the information out there for us to be able to get and use!

[@No_nonsense302]

Hey cope, that’s what I plan on doing. Gonna try the food plot according to Jeff, just push out the times being here in the south. Good luck to you

[@acesyracuse6431]

I have rye I planted past fall do I kill it or just knock it down to plant buck wheat

[@rfb7117]

You should kill it early (6-8") otherwise it will take over the plot and grow very very rapidly. It got out of control on me one year and it was very difficult to clear out of my food plots. Bob

[@Deatheater91]

My food plot I’m doing this year is only a 1/2 acre big. Would you recommend using something else with the buckwheat rotation instead of beans, peas, and brassicas being it’s a smaller scale plot? Also for the South (Tennessee) when would you do the spraying and initial planting of buckwheat?

[@Darryl792]

Hey Jeff, great video. I have an old 8N tractor, plow and a set of discs. Could you talk about some till options for the guys with minimal equipment?

[@joshny4766]

Hi Jeff. Love your videos. I'm going to try a few plots for the 1st time using your methods. 2 questions. If you had an acre plot how much water are you mixing with your glyphosate? (I imagine that depends on a few variables?) Second, if you dont own a cultipacker, are there any other methods you could use for crimping the buckwheat? I own a four wheeler and a homemade harrow. Thanks Jeff. Looking forward to getting your foodplot book!

[@jimmyjames7001]

Jeff, thanks for another very informative video . I want to try a plot on powerlines in northern Minnesota near my cabin. I just have to find out if it's legal.

[@jonathonvandenberg2450]

Thanks for another great video Jeff! I will be doing Method #1 for sure, and I will see if I can get my hands some equipment for #2. At which point can I add some lime? 30 days after the first spraying? Before the first? With the first?

[@tomkrenz2406]

Great information, i have a small 9 acre property with 5 acres of mature pines. Is it smart to knock down areas in the middle and place food plots in place of the pines.

[@dawsonnate1815]

What would you recommend if I was going to spray a grass area next to a field to get ride of the weeds that is a half acre and then work it over. What should I use and how much of it

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

1 quart per acre of Glyphosate would be the easiest and likely the most effective!

[@dawsonnate1815]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions would I mix that in with water

[@dawsonnate1815]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions how long should I wait before planting after I spray

[@chrisgoodwin8146]

You can spray and plant the same day.

[@dawsonnate1815]

Chris Goodwin would that kill the plants

[@aaronkorsmo]

Hi Jeff, I'm going to use your No Till Food Plot method for my mom's goat pasture and then some small spots up North for deer hunting. My question is this: When I do the first spray on the virually useless weeds and grass in the pasture, should I use the Packer Maxx first? Or, am I only using that weeks later when I plant the buckwheat?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Aaron! You are only using the Packermaxx after planting the buckwheat. You have to keep in mind that the seed has to hit the soil to grow. I like to broadcast seed, cultipack and then spray.

[@aaronkorsmo]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you!

[@andrewmartin863]

Very interested in trying this. Currently my food plot location is old ag and old clear cut. The weeds/grasses/brush are nearing 2-3 ft tall already where I am in Connecticut. I'm assuming I can still do the 3 spray method but I will just have to add a step and do some raking to expose the soil?

[@randlerichardson5826]

I have access to a tractor plow disc bush hog on my lease brother. I’ve got a lot I mean a lot of sage grass. Could I just lime my plot and leave the rest of the sage or lime maybe a 15 to 20 foot spot around my plot just leave the say 20 foot spot blank. I have a wheeler to.

[@jimh7015]

How do you suggest working lime into soil if I am no-tilling??

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Jim..."I've got a video for that" ☺️ hope you like it... kzbin.info/www/bejne/epu4d62FgNyHnMk

[@jpnc4053]

I tried to broadcast the winter rye that way and turkeys are every last grain. Any advice on keeping the turkeys off

[@21honkerhunter]

Hey Jeff, another great video. Any recommendations for keeping the turkeys and crows from wiping out that labor day rye overseeding in standing beans or brassica that you can’t pack down?

[@vicbass1688]

do you work the ground for the buckwheat, or just broadcast it on top of field? or should you at least run cultipacker over it to try and get good soil contact?

[@yooperkidoutdoors3992]

can you use rye grain? and when you run it over with he cultipacker do you have to spray it? or can you just run it over a couple times?

[@ajburns9915]

Another awesome video! I have no fields on the 40 I hunt. If I clear trees out with a chainsaw is it possible to get good results?

[@johnh6390]

Jeff does soil quality not matter so much with these methods? Are we checking soils PH adding lime or anything?

[@nicschaalma3508]

Jeff My new plot last year struggled with the ph being low. 5.1 ish. I plan on liming, however really want to build up some organic matter before the fall planting. Does the buckwheat accomplish a similar result to maybe planting a soil builder blend ? The buckwheat would be a cheaper option and wonder if accomplishes the same goal to improve that plot.

[@quackhead60]

Do you frost seed switchgrass before you start the no plow process with buckwheat?

[@charlesehster3380]

Love the content, Jeff! Starting my conversion to no-till this year! One question for you-- have you/do you ever plant anything with your buckwheat in late spring before the fall rotation? one thing I had come across was the use of sunflowers and was curious of your thoughts on their use! I've read a lot of good information about benefits to the soil and their deeper root systems helping against soil compaction, but wanted to know if you've ever tried it when it comes to broadcasting the brassicas and wheat followed by cultipacking and spraying with glyphosate late summer. Thanks, Chuck

[@dswish1730]

I have a roller.Will that work the same as the cultapacker??Feel like I'm planning already.Do the grooves in the packet make better seed to soil contact?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi D, it will work fairly well for sure! The grooves for cuts are far superior for cultipacking loose soil tho....that's where the cultipacker really shines!

[@dswish1730]

Don't think I will till this year.Lot less $ spraying. Lot less time.Does tractor supply have 2 4 D??

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@dswish1730 I'm not sure? I get my 2-4D from a local ag store. FAR less time, less fuel burned, improved soil quality, moisture conservation, erosion resistant...works very well!!

[@dswish1730]

Thanks Jeff for all you do for sooo many people.You have no idea how much your no nonsense methods mean.Watched 5 buck from the house today.Sparring pretty hard.Dont think their horns a ready to come off yet. That would be too easy to watch them knock them off.Then just go pick the up.Ive had my dog out just to see how he acts in the woods.Hes 10 months old.Think he's a keeper.

[@3279642]

Hey Jeff, help please. I planted your method this year and the field grew in perfect, it grew up to like 12-15 inches high big turnips busting out of the ground, but the deer never used it. I have security cameras on plot, and the deer just would not use it. any help please.

[@hammonds82]

Can all this work in southeast NC I have 30 acres and want to try this out.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Yes it sure can! Will have to adjust timing but for sure...

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

I just use my pigs. I put them in hidden food plots for 3 or 4 days drop some lime broadcast seed bam.

[@kevindisbrow7846]

Newbie at this! Question...between the 2 methods you plant brassicas late July with the spray method but plant Brassicas late August with the buckwheat rotation method?

[@benjaminpauli8376]

Hi Jeff, that's for all the great content! Can/do you use the no-till method to plant screening (sorghum, Egyptian wheat, etc.)?

[@saroocolibaba]

when you kill the weeds in the spring, are you putting any lime down prior to planting?

[@jasondiaz7611]

Jeff What did you rotate to the following year or do you keep using the same method or type of seed year in and year out.

[@marshalllaw6541]

do you dilute the glyphosate or just run it alone through the sprayer?

[@chrisgoodwin8146]

I've weedeated 4' tall weeds down to about 8". Sprayed and broadcasted seeds and fertilized. Weedeated the remaining 8" weeds to create a thatch to cover the seeds and hold in moisture. Needless to say, I had 4 shooters on 28 acres. Guys gave up 500 acres and took over my honey hole. I loved hunting there. Seen deer 90% of the time. Too bad their not as selective as I was. I heard they killed 9 does within the first 2 weeks of season :/ One I nicknamed Black Betty produced triplets every year. If they only knew... (And yes Black Betty was from down in Alabam." Lol

[@chrisgoodwin8146]

I strictly hunted the 28 and let them have the whole 522 to theirselves. Of course I offered food throughout summer and winter. They planted 2 weeks before bow season and pressured their areas. The deer were accustomed to me being there all summer. They'd meet me at the 4 way stop, just from hearing my truck aka the corn wagon coming. It's my dream to create the same scenario in my back yard. Well after 5 years of different projects, I now have 8 deer visiting 6.5 acres, 3 bucks. And 20 fruit trees/chestnuts growing a little more every year. Should be a dynamite spot in a few more years. I really enjoy the work behind it, and seeing the rewards/results. I'm in it for the long term. Good luck on your future endeavors.

[@bucksutherland7807]

Jeff, you should look at some different nozzles for your sprayer. Those droplets coming out of your sprayer are so large and they result in poor coverage. If you create finer droplets you get better coverage. I farm a couple hundred acres in MN, and the better coverage= better kill. Small droplets are superior to large ones as they can blanket the entire surface of the weed as opposed to one big drop landing on a leaf and then the chemical running onto the ground. You want more of a mist. Also, the time of day that you spray matters as does rainfast times and temperature.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

They were changed after the first time I used that boom...garbage for sure 😉

[@CarAholic86]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I have the same boom. What nozzles did you change to?

[@markheidema3699]

Jeff, are you only fertilizing the Brassica's on Labor Day and not right after broadcasting? Thanks, great video!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks Mark! Depends on time, ha. BUT, yes on the Urea/Nitrogen...I really want to hit them at the mid of their growth rate, with rain in the forecast.

[@mikepeterson4503]

What fertilizer and how much per acre?

[@joshford7828]

Hey do you know your cost per acre of food plot with this method? An average is fine if you dont mind

[@brentsims8885]

Jeff do you recommend your split food plot system for plots as small as 1/4 acre?

[@talon769]

Thanks Jeff. Just tried to purchase "Food Plot Success by Design" from your website and it's not working. Just a heads up. Edit: This book is listed on Amazon for $427.65

[@arlife6193]

Since you think the glyposate thing is a "conspiracy" can I use agent Orange?😂

[@randlerichardson5826]

Sage grass is very bad here. I’d burn it off but it will come back.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thicker than ever likely!

[@mike81399]

👍

[@stevebostic9812]

Slow down dude..too much info way too fast!

[@johnbalasa711]

Why chemical?Let things grow naturally deer love mix vegetation we eat a lot a poison as is.

[@RickLarsonPermacultureDesigner]

Glyphosate is not a natural substance found in the wild. Sorry, but you are affecting natural processes by using the stuff. Review the definition of the word indoctrinated. But I understand, you have a lot invested in promoting the product.