Lawnmower Plot 2025

[356]

In 2022, Native Hunter posted a thread about his Lawnmower plot. Rather than revive that old thread, I thought I would start a new one for those using this simple, but often effective, method for food plotting.

With limited time, I took advantage of work taking me 1 1/2 hours from our cabin.
Step 1 (After airing up the tire in the D100 mower) was to head down the (rough) trail to mow the hidey hole foot plot. I didn't count on a tree having fallen over the trail, nor three tree having fallen in the food plot. Working around those, I was about 2/3 way through the project when the belt after hitting a stump.
Step 2 was to spray the plot with glyphosate. This step was uneventful, and less than 2 hours after arriving at the cabin I was showered up and on my way home.

Step three will be trying to get to the cabin prior to a nice rain. Hopefully I'll have time to remove the fallen trees on that trip. For the plot itself I'll be broadcasting a blend of Whitetail Institutes Bowstand along with some extra radish and clover on the edges.

The mower made it 2/3 through the project before a belt failed. I likely hit something.


The plot was sprayed with glyphosate to prepare the seedbed. Now I just need rain (and an opportunity to get back to the cabin).

Once I broadcast the seed, I'll use a homemade harrow pulled by the side by side to ensure seed/soil contact.

I am sure there are others doing similar variations of this "mow then throw" method.

 

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Debating whether to bring the tow dics to camp this year. Found out last year using a tire drag with logs ontop of it makes it alot better. Got some dry weather to be able to spray, but not alot of rain in the week after that. Might just spray, seed the spots, and maybe save one or two of the nicer plots for seeding in 2 weeks after spraying.

One weekend plots with spraying is very doable for folks on limited timeframes. Even to spray works decent too. Had to do that the past 2 years, every weekend in august was wet.

 

[356]

Debating whether to bring the tow dics to camp this year. Found out last year using a tire drag with logs ontop of it makes it alot better. Got some dry weather to be able to spray, but not alot of rain in the week after that. Might just spray, seed the spots, and maybe save one or two of the nicer plots for seeding in 2 weeks after spraying.

One weekend plots with spraying is very doable for folks on limited timeframes. Even to spray works decent too. Had to do that the past 2 years, every weekend in august was wet.

In our area, every weekend in August 2023 & 2024 was dry, as we were in a serious drought. This year should be better (although no rain is in the current forecast). I’ll try to get the seed on the ground by Mid-August for this hidey hole plot. If so, we should be fine.

 

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Got 2 spots where its shady I food plot. 2 week earlier with the small grains helps with lower light. Using less fertilizer overall, but I keep fertilizer 20 feet away from trees in shady areas. Just going to make things harder in the long run.

 

[356]

We are in a three-peat drought wise. After an exceptionally wet late spring/early summer, the last four weeks have had no rain. The forecast for next weekend includes some rain, so we are adjusting our schedule for next weekend to get the plot planted.

Drought Monitor—the cabin’s in the tan zone

 

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Dry fall's my shaded foodplot do better. The edges of larger ones grow better too.

 

[356]

The drought continues. My wife and I were at the cabin and removed several trees that had fallen in the food plot. With the debris removed I spread 500# of pelletized lime and 100# of 12-12-12 on the plot but opted not to broadcast any seed as there is no rain in the forecast. This is the second year the cabin plot has been a bust due to drought. If the forecast changes, I’ll broadcast seed next week. Otherwise I’ll throw a cover crop and call it good.


This old scape continues to be used by deer, but action has been slow during the drought.

Current drought conditions….the cabin's in the tan.

 

[356]

We were able to broadcast seeds on the 14th and have enjoyed a couple of rains. I forgot to put up an exclusion cage. Time will tell if the plot makes it.

 

[356]

Deer are starting to browse the new growth.

 

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Daily improvements since the plot had rain!

 

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Daily improvements, despite no additional rain. Sadly, no rain is in the 14 day forecast. Nevertheless, the deer are enjoying the plot and it should provide good browse and help build the soil for the plot’s future. I hope to hunt over it once or twice this season.

 

[356]

Despite no rain since the 15th of September, the lawnmower plot broadcast on the 14th, is looking good. We may get a little rain this week, which will help even more.



The cabin plot is currently in the moderate drought zone. Just to the west the drought zone is severe.

 

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You'd be surprised what dew can provide to a foodplot this time of year.

Was up at camp 3 weeks ago, plots were going except one. Plot gets more sun, had less mulch cover, and had higher organic matter to dry it out some I suspect. Spread rye, oats, clover, and a bit of brassicas. no roll in, just boradcast. See whats happens. Was hoping to hunt there with my new flintlock. PRevious owner sighted it in at 50 yards. I can shoot 75 with it, but not much practice. USually that plot is perfect for close n calm shots.

 

[356]

Due to my travel plans, I will be hunting does on this plot next weekend for one sit. We might get a little rain this week. As you noted, the dew sure helps, but we sure need some drought relief. That said, the plot looks good.

 

[matinc]

356 sure a great looking plot and it beats a roto or disc or a drill hands down.

 

[356]

356 sure a great looking plot and it beats a roto or disc or a drill hands down.

The deer seem to like it… While nothing beats a drill for larger plots, here in the Ozarks, this is the method that works great for smaller plots.

 

[356]

I got busted going into the Lawnmower plot this morning. While changing from the ladder to a blind I followed a nice scrape line. The deer are really using this small plot. I have a non-cell cam near the plot that showed some nice bucks coming in at night.

 

[356]

I pulled out at 7:37, and the deer showed back in the plot MINUTES after I left...go figure. I am sure they were watching me. I'll not be in this plot for another month or better. Generally the larger bucks show up in late December and early January if the plot continues to grow.

 

[Rubee]

That buck on post #18 is a beaut. Nice plot and scrapes. Post a photo when you kill him.