Spring Planting

Plant after the last chance of frost. Drill 15 – 20 lbs per acre 1/4"-1/2" deep, then roll. For fertilizer, spin spread 200 lbs of 46-0-0 and 50 lbs of 16-16-16. If drilling isn't possible, seed may be spin spread at the rate of 20 – 25 lbs per acre. Apply fertilizer (at the same rate as above), lightly harrow to cover seed and roll if possible.

Fall Planting

Smartweed can also be planted in late fall from late September on in most areas of the country. Use the same methods as above but only use 100 lbs of 16-16-16 fertilizer. The seed will lie dormant for the winter. It can be underwater or in damp ground. If it is underwater, the seed will sprout when the water is removed. It is best to do this near the last frost date. 

Smartweed is a good reseeder and should return year after year. Sometimes a volunteer field will come up too dense, creating too much competition for water and nutrients. When this happens, go through the field with a cultipacker, with teeth down, to thin out the plants. It might look bad at first, but will end up growing into a much better field.