RE: cheap corn to plant
 

No, it does not have to be planted in rows for a foodplot and no this is not a dumb question. You may have to hand spray to control weeds.

Farmers plant crops in rows due to the equipment automation, equipment precisions, and to increase management options for controling weeds adn pests.

RE: cheap corn to plant
 

Mantis,
No, you can just broadcat it but, it usually works better in rows. It makes it easier to cultivate if you don't kill off the weeds. Corn needs a good head start to grow properly and you need to keep the weeds at a minimum until it gets about a foot tall. If you side dress with fertilizer you can keep it on the rows. And when they tassel, they are much closer together for better fertilization. Animals tend to walk in between the rows rather knocking down the stalks. Deer feel safer as any row is an escape route. It's much easier to bushog if you plan on putting corn down at intervals making it easier for them to feed. But broadcasting can work, it's your choice.

Russ

RE: cheap corn to plant
 

Thanks for the replies Russ and Greg!

RE: cheap corn to plant
 

Another dumb question if I may, I want to plant an area with corn that the ground hasnt been broken up in the past, can i just disc or do I need to plow then disc before spreading seed? Thanks, Pike

RE: cheap corn to plant
 

If it has not been broken for several years and it was mine I would moldboard plow it , then disc it and work it . If chisel plow would work I would try that, but definately break it up.

RE: cheap corn to plant
 

If the soil is fertile and you have access to a no-till planter, you can simply spray the ground with Round Up sometime in early May, wait about 5 days, and then plant your corn.

This would not work well if the ground is not properly limed and fertile.
If lime and fertilizer is needed, plowing and disking is a good way to disperse the fertilizer in the soil.

Good luck!