I have a 5 acre field in the center of my farm that I have created about an acres worth of small food plots. The other 4 acres remain a mix of fescue and sericia (sp) lespedeza that is just thick and nasty.
I’m thinking if I can restore these parts back to native it will improve my deer and Turkey habitat in this area.
1) is that true?
2) what is the best way. I’ve thought of burning or herbicide. But I’m open.
3) I considered burning or spraying only portions at a time over a couple years so I can keep some cover but I could do it all at once. Which is better?
4) what about the seed banks from these undesirable species?
Thanks in advance for the help.
1) Yes! Absolutely. It will astound you all the species that are suppressed due to both of these plants, once they are released. Our main 5 acre field gets MUCH more use than when it was a fescue / red clover hay field.
2) Fescue is tough to kill. You need a stout dose of Gly to kill it. Clethodim (selective grass herbicide) also works. Best time to kill is fall because 1) Spring is the most active growing season being a cool season grass and 2) IF you spray in the fall after a couple of frosts, the native species will be dormant and won't be harmed. **As others have mentioned, burning alone will not kill fescue. I've burned fescue fields over the winter and this stimulates them in spring. Trust me, the stand will be more "spectacular" than ever before. This is common on beef cattle and hay field operations (as on my family farms for generations) to get rid of the thatch layer and set back any woody succesional growth.
3 & 4) Burning and spraying is a potent combination for Sericia. Burning first stimulates germination from the seed bank. Sericia emits a very hard seed that stays viable for years. Burning assists in germination for these seeds years old in the seed bank. Gly (in heavy doses) will kill Sericia, but around here (Including MDC) all use PastureGuard. MDC recommends spraying once plants reach 12" tall. You can also spray in late summer (July/August) as the plants are putting all their energy into seed development and are most susceptible to herbicide.
FWIW - We also do a mix of native habitat, screening and food plots on our 5 acre field. It's a great size as it is small enough to be manageable for a weekend guy and routinely see daylight activity. Yet large enough to grow most anything you want for us in Ag country.
Lifeless Fescue Field:
Post Conversion - Native edges, food plot and cover strips.
Went from seeing the occasional doe or two to creating a wildlife haven, routinely seeing 10-15 deer per night.
Good luck and enjoy the process!