You don't need a tractor for a small plot. The National Deer Association says its own headquarters has grown no-till plots with just a mower, a backpack sprayer, an over-the-shoulder seed spreader and an ATV cultipacker. For 1/8 to 1/4 acre hunting plots, NDA describes doing it with hand tools and a string trimmer. Here's the tool list, step by step. Sources are at the end.
The basic method
NDA's no-till steps:
- Mow existing growth down to a heavy mulch.
- Spray a glyphosate burndown within a few days to kill living weeds.
- Spread seed at the label rate when rain is in the forecast.
- Press larger seed (cereal grains, soybeans, cowpeas) into the mulch with a cultipacker. Rain does the rest.
Pennington adds that for a bare-ground plot, a rake clears debris and loosens the soil, and that most small seeds go just 1/8 to 1/4 inch deep. After spreading, it says to rake again with the rake head flipped flat side down to smooth seed into the soil.
The tools
| Job | Budget option | Step up |
|---|---|---|
| Knock down growth | String trimmer or push mower | Mower |
| Kill weeds | Backpack sprayer, such as the Chapin 61500 4-gallon | ATV sprayer |
| Spread seed | Over-the-shoulder seeder, such as the EarthWay 2750 | Chest spreader, such as the EarthWay 3100 |
| Seed-to-soil contact | Garden rake, walking the plot | ATV cultipacker |
Seed spreaders
- EarthWay 2750 bag seeder. A hand-crank seeder carried on a shoulder strap. Amazon listings for it give both 20 lb and 25 lb as the capacity, so check the listing you buy.
- EarthWay 3100 chest mount. EarthWay lists a 40 lb hopper, an 8 to 12 foot spread width, a back harness and a hopper cover, and names wildlife food plots as a use. It was $149.99 on EarthWay's site as of Oct 10, 2026 (approximate).
Sprayer
A backpack sprayer is how NDA kills weeds before planting. Follow the herbicide label for rates and safety gear.
Rake and drag
A garden rake does the prep and covering on small plots, per Pennington.
When to step up to an ATV
Whitetail Institute says an ATV with a disc harrow and a spreader lets you build medium-sized plots without a tractor, and recommends 4WD. For small hunting plots tucked where machines can't go, NDA's hand-tool method still works.
My seed
I plant Domain Outdoor No BS, a no-till mix with forage oats, clover, forage rape, chicory and radish. For more on seed, see food plot seed, budget vs premium and no-till food plots on a budget.
Other good options
- Test before you buy anything. NDA's clover guide says not to skip the soil test. See soil testing and lime.
- Plan the spot first. See kill plots vs destination plots and food plots for shady spots.
Questions hunters ask
What's the one tool to buy first? NDA's no-till list is a mower, a backpack sprayer, a shoulder seeder and an ATV cultipacker. On small plots, NDA and Pennington both describe getting by with hand tools.
Do I need to drag the seed in? Small seed only needs a light covering, per Pennington. NDA presses larger seed into the mulch with a cultipacker.
Can I plant without spraying? Pennington's equipment-free method uses a rake to clear and loosen bare soil instead.
Sources
- National Deer Association, "Easy, No-Till Food Plots": https://deerassociation.com/easy-no-till-food-plots-watch-our-whitetail-weekend-seminar/
- National Deer Association, "Creating Deer Food Plots With Minimal Equipment": https://deerassociation.com/creating-deer-food-plots-with-minimal-equipment/
- National Deer Association, "NDA's Guide to Clover Food Plots": https://deerassociation.com/clover-food-plots/
- Pennington, "Plant a Food Plot Without Equipment": https://www.pennington.com/all-products/wildlife/resources/plant-a-food-plot-without-equipment
- Whitetail Institute, "How to Plant the Best Food Plots with Minimal Equipment": https://whitetailinstitute.com/how-to-plant-the-best-food-plots-with-minimal-equipment/
- EarthWay, 40lb Chest Mount Spreader: https://earthway.com/products/40lb-chest-mount-spreader