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Post by honker on Aug 8, 2019 18:30:38 GMT -6
Having a good start on my spray and mow/roll attempt this year. Last years was a bust in the same plot, little to no growth, but I didn’t give it much of a chance. This year I frost seeded some clover, spread gypsum and lime in May after taking a soil test, sprayed two weeks prior to seeding, and then mowed after seeding. Two weeks after seeding and things are looking good. Can’t believe how much moisture was under the thatch despite very little rain since seeding. Apparently what everyone else has been saying is true. Planted a mix of oats, peas, soybeans, and brassicas just to see what all would germinate. Looks like everything did in this spot.   Could use some rain now soon though. Can’t believe I’m saying that after this spring. |
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Post by honker on Aug 8, 2019 18:49:26 GMT -6
I also noticed that the larger seeds had better germination where the tall grass/rye was just knocked over by the tractor tires compared to the areas that had been mowed. Brassicas seem equal in both. All seeds were broadcast with hand seeder.
Not sure if that’s consistent with what those of you with more experience have seen or not.
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Post by Catscratch on Aug 8, 2019 20:05:34 GMT -6
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Post by badgerfowl on Aug 8, 2019 20:35:41 GMT -6
Thatch is key for throw and mow or pray. I’ve had good luck in standing 3’ dead weeds as well.
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Post by Catscratch on Aug 8, 2019 20:40:19 GMT -6
Thatch is key for throw and mow or pray. I’ve had good luck in standing 3’ dead weeds as well. It's logical (in my mind anyway) that mowed or rolled down thatch would be ideal, but my experiences show that standing is just as good. |
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Post by honker on Aug 9, 2019 10:38:31 GMT -6
Thatch is key for throw and mow or pray. I’ve had good luck in standing 3’ dead weeds as well. It's logical (in my mind anyway) that mowed or rolled down thatch would be ideal, but my experiences show that standing is just as good. Thanks for the input Cat. Do you do all of your plots with this method or do you still do some tilling? If you still do both, what makes you decide which method over the other? Soil, location, weather, all of the above? |
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Post by Catscratch on Aug 9, 2019 11:15:14 GMT -6
It's logical (in my mind anyway) that mowed or rolled down thatch would be ideal, but my experiences show that standing is just as good. Thanks for the input Cat. Do you do all of your plots with this method or do you still do some tilling? If you still do both, what makes you decide which method over the other? Soil, location, weather, all of the above? I still do a little tillage at my dad's place. The only reason is because he has a tractor and I like to drive it... and when he hands me a 6 pack and says "grab the tractor and go plant the field" that is what I do. I started no-till decades ago (in several different forms) and that is all I do at my place. I'm sure that there are times when tillage would save seed and give more consistent results, but I'm good with how things usually turn out. Most of the time I'm really happy with what pops up. All the things you listed above affect when and what I plant, but never the methods that I use to plant. Now... if I had a no-till drill I would use it in a heartbeat but I don't so broadcasting it is. |
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Post by honker on Aug 17, 2019 7:05:42 GMT -6
Brassicas are doing well. Pulled the card and it is pretty easy to see in this shot why I didn’t get a lot of growth from the oats. Turkeys, Sandhills, and crows found the plot almost immediately after seeding.  |
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Post by honker on Aug 27, 2019 22:40:10 GMT -6
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Post by honker on Sept 22, 2019 16:37:09 GMT -6
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Post by Catscratch on Sept 22, 2019 20:20:00 GMT -6
Your milo looks like it's almost ready to be stripped.  |
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Post by honker on Sept 22, 2019 20:27:36 GMT -6
Your milo looks like it's almost ready to be stripped. Noooo! |
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Post by Catscratch on Sept 22, 2019 20:29:34 GMT -6
Lol, here's one in the efence. Milo doesn't stand a chance on my place once it hits the doughy stage.  |
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Post by honker on Sept 22, 2019 20:32:58 GMT -6
Maybe that’s why only a couple had heads...they bit the rest clear off hahaha. I’m hoping they stay in the beans and brassicas long enough but they probably won’t.
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Post by Catscratch on Sept 22, 2019 20:38:25 GMT -6
I've watched them eat it. They just strip the seeds off and leave the stems. Your pic looks like they aren't quite mature enough yet. It kind of happens overnight, they wait until it's perfect... then it's gone.
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