I've mentioned I'd been getting the upper plots planted . Well last week I put down the first round of clovers and a bit of chicory. The pics are some sections of the same trail system. Also a small hub plot between sections. That is an older clover plot I mowed last week and the disced section is part of 3 sides I'm planting in turnip/ww. That will draw animals into a long L shaped turnip/ww/clover plot that ends at the hay. These all connect on the far east side of property and goes from front to a hundred yards of back line. It then turns to take them up out of the gully to lower plot trail system which I'll plant next week. We had a 20 hr torrential rain event yesterday so I'm surprised it looks this good. Property is 1300 ft deep.
All of the upper hill plots are done and seeded. The trail plots are growing and got a light over seed of brassica and red clover. The rye was cut and the seed heads dragged through the plots with the harrow drag. Rain has yet to arrive as promised but its in the forcast for most of next week. Then I disc and plant lower plots.
I do these in layers .the clover is half to a third what is called for per acre and the turnips a third. Then I let it grow a bit and then fill in with either more turnips or later ww. So 5 and 2.5 respectively to start. I also have to consider the plants I left to go to seed. Such as the WR and last years rape and turnips. I also go a bit heavy over the separate seedings because of our turkey and other animals. I checked those trail plots to find not one, not 2, but 7 turkey dusting bowls in a line along the edge of one plot . This coupled with several bare spots scattered and the plots. They like "sprouts" too!..lol
that's when it's a red /white mix, when pure ladino I'll do a fast growing green and then frost seed in March-April Was going to work lower plots today but by the time errands were done It was 89 degrees..Not tolerant of heat waiting for the Gator to arrive..have to make him drive it up our hill before I'll take it back. They can't find anything wrong. Though managed to put in brand new power steering @ no charge to us.hhmmm. Thought I'd post a few old plot pics seeing I'm on the computer.
Well today I got all of the lower trail / oak flats plots turned up,dragged,and planted. It tried to rain but passed by us. Now I have the main lower field and lane way to finish.
Took a pic walk today. Sun was just cresting the hill well so some are very shaded. I do have a tree or two to drop. Trail plot pics are boring but they are very important here. They allow the deer to meander the middle of our woods and these trails meet mini plots and are surrounded by hard and soft mass and bedding spots. I also put in parallel walking trails that keep my scent out of the plots. These are buffered from the plots by brush and fruit trees, brambles .
Thanks, but not yet, hoping the rain gets this growing. Now after all the many ,many years of discing and de-rocking and leveling I can get all these into a semi no till. The red clover is easy to either terminate or seed into. The turnips open the soil a bit and the WW is also easy to terminate. When I say semi no till I will straighten the blades on my disc so I can just barely cut the soil. The disc won't turn over the soil when straight. Also with grains you can roll over a crop to flatten and then run a straight disc across the stalks to " crimp" them with out needing to buy a crimper I will also be planting some buck wheat I have. Both buck wheat and WW is easier to terminate without a need to use a spray if you weed bank isn't bad.
That was fast..The upper trail plot check shows the turnips popping very well. Update...the rye stalks I dragged across plot worked even with all the turkey and other birds I have lots of rye in several areas. Hhhmm some of the turnips are a bit close, but the critters will fix that!
Just got back from discing about 1/4 of the lower big field. One tiny section will get buckwheat and the orchard plot section will get the red clover/ turnips. . After I rest my back I'm going down to top dress the yearly lime and add 10-10-10-10 fertilizer, because that is all they had left(eye roll). Rain due tomorrow so I may hold off planting the clover /turnips . The BW will be dragged in with fertilizer and lime today.
Lime fertilizer and BW are all dragged in. Just need to seed the clover and turnips in the tree plot. I am coughing up mud pies and look like pig pen so need to shower. Farmer is finally cutting field next door. Hhmm I wonder what he'll put in...
I got the clover/ turnips planted as it sprinkled then 30 mins later we got a quick deluge. Pounded the seed in well.
Top trails looking pretty good considering clover starts out slow. I do have some problem spots and a few more trees to cut. I walked over a bit of turnip & fertilizer just before a bad thunderstorm today. I have not been to lower plots since I planted the last section. Will tomorrow because cams are getting set and I have to get that ladder stand wire brushed painted and reset. Holding off on pics until they get some size. Way behind my intended schedule..as usual..lol
In the first pic of the last group I posted I sprayed the green area today. Then just part of the laneway along my border fence. Need to mow and spray the rest. That is if time allows. Right now I have a 100#s of WW to lay down the first week in Sept. . Going out now to wire brush and paint the ladder stand. Then cut some trees..
