Tomorrow I am taking a brush hog down my land and clearing out somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 acre total area to plant. This is a last minute Hail Mary to get some food down there this year but at the very least start getting the soil ready for the future. There is plenty of rain in the forecast for the next weak so I am thinking I should take advantage of that and now then till and immediately plant (All Winter Rye). other option is mow……till then wait and spray any weed sprouts then wait then plant. Hate to lose 10+ days of growth but I also don’t want weeds to choke it all out either. Any thoughts?
Do it right and kill it. Nothing is more frustrating than pissing away time and money on a plot that doesn't produce due to any reason
At this time of year I think you'd be alright by tilling and planting the WR. I say this because I think that the weed growth is on a downhill slide. Depending on how long you let the WR grow in the spring before you mow and then till it into the ground, you can then spray for weeds before planting your next crop. In short, save your money and weed killer for next year. I've grown WR before. That stuff grows tall! If you are planting by broadcast and not a drill, go heavier on the seed than the directions call for. I learned this when planting oats.
Kill...You never mentioned your general area. Here in this zone 5b -6 they call for not planting until Sept-Oct. Now you can plant early but deer are drawn to new growth, over a certain point they go away. This said you can layer plant plant 1/3 to 1/2 wait a couple of weeks and plant the next amount. The other thing if you limed is to plant by last week of Aug and over seed that with your clover. Now if this area is mostly Sun look at cloud white crimson clover. It is sweeter than it's counter part red crimson but handles same soil.
Kill the weeds, wait for the wet soil, then dump the seeds. You don't want to do it twice. I'd rather have 3" shorter growth than have to redo everything...
Plots are done…….double tilled and triple 19…..seeded with buckwheat, winter rye, triticale and two areas of brassicas. 2 weeks from now I’m going to overseed with another layer of rye.
I GOT MY TWO MID WOODS PLOTS AND CONNECTING TRAILS DONE TODAY. JUST RYE BUT WILL OVER SEED IN THE RED CLOVER A BIT LATER. I DRAGGED ONLY, THIS sorry about caps.....anyways dragged only the big laneway plot to breakup sod trying to re establish. The corn / sorghum strip finally decided to take off. Will fertilize that when I plant that plot. The lower shade beans suddenly took off as well. Unfortunately I promised Grandson a ride and all my trails were blocked by trees. The last one before having to drive along one side of plot I got angry about. Stopped told him to sit tight. I got out and wrapped my arms around the snapped end of trunk and put my knees and thighs into the lift and shuffled it off. the trail. Dropping it I turned to River in the Gator yelling "Holy Cow! I can't believe you picked that up!" I told him to remember that before he decides to be naughty around grams. I'm a bit stronger than most Grandmas...Lol
