Brassicas Update 8.12.13

Well the brassicas I planted 3 weeks ago are doing OK in spots but have not germed in others. We are really lacking rain. It has been too dry and I believe that is really slowing things down.

The deer are hammering my clover right now though.


Here are the before pictures and a description of what and how I planted.

http://forums.bowhunting.com/food-p...fall-plots-my-busy-weekend-picture-heavy.html

 

Doesn't look too bad. You say it's too dry there? Really? How old are the pics because it looks to me like it was too wet in several spots. Fertility has created algae blooms o nthe soil surface from standing water and looks like it either drowned out emerged plants or drowned out the sprouting seeds. Those won't fill in on their own, I'd throw something else in there if it were me. Maybe wheat or oats or rye or a no-till blend. Weeds will turn into a problem quick in those thin spots and deer don't eat too many weeds, lol.

 

Yes the lower parts of the plot where water collects hold standing water. Water will sit there for monts without rain. Then the higher parts are way too dry. The joys of heavy clay.


I overseeded it with the same mix where it is not coming up well. If nothing happens I will nuke those areas and hand throw some winter rye down at the end of Aug if I need to.

It certainly could be worse!

 

The clay takes time for sure. On our third tilling and planting of a plot that was terrible moisture wise, if it rained it just stood in water due to the clay and if it didn't rain it would bake. Finally the clay is slowly breaking up, as we plant brassicas and till in organic matter each year.

 

Yup. Plus my PH is too low. I put down the correct amount of lime but I'm sure that has yet to take my effect yet.

 

Good plan. I have some spots like that as well. I generally seed some millets into those spots, Jap millet will grow in standing water.

Also those heavy clay areas can benefit from planting in winter rye, crimson clover, tillage radish and winter pea with about 70% of the mix being rye. The rye will quickly build the soil organic matter through root growth and residue next year. Allow it to go crazy next year and either roll it down and no till through it or plow it under and plant it back to whatever you want.

Or Sun Hemp in there all summer will do the same thing and it adds nitrogen then plant a fall food plot.

 

Yeah and we've noticed the high clay content spots seem to wash off some lime more than others so be sure to re-test next spring if you can.

 

Well I disced in the lime and fertlizer so I'm not sure how much will wash off?

 

Nice! Our problem was the first year we spread the lime after we'd disced it in...we rushed the discing some obviously. You should be much better set moving into next season.

 

Is there any reason I should not just overseed the entire plot area with winter rye? Will it crowd out the areas of the brassicas if it catches up? Or would it be a good thing to mix in with? Thinking maybe since it appears the brassicas are not coming up real thick in most spots that I could use that to keep the weeds down and provide a little bit more food.

Or should I just put down the winter rye in the areas that are not growing well at all?

 

Yeah the Lime takes some time to break down and raise PH. The problem with clay soil is low organic matter and the nutrients don't cycle like they do in better soils but that structure can change with increased SOM. Tillage also makes the problem worse because it breaks down the SOM faster than normal. I have a couple of new fields/plots that had the top soil all removed and used in a coal reclemation project in the 80's and this is the first full year since that it has had any growth on it at all. I have it in foxtail millet and milo after having it in rye and clover last fall/this spring. Landowner planted it in NWSG for three years and got nothing.

 

The rye will choke out the stuff you have in there now if you overseed the whole thing very heavy. I use brassicas in my rye covers along with crimson clover and winter pea so they will mix as long as the rye isn't overly thick. Seeding the blank spots with rye will save any confusion about how much rye to add to the entire plot. I plant around 50 pounds per acre in a mix. Rye won't love those wet areas either but should grow better than the brassicas. Jap millet will thrive there though it'll winter kill. It grows fast though and will seed out before frost so at least it'll provide graze and winter seed for some food.

 

I would seed in some oats or rye in the thinner spots. IF you planted root type brassicas which will need bulb space they can really grow aggressively depending on conditions so don't want to squeeze too much. Honestly we overseed with oats, rye or buckwheat quite often when things aren't coming up like planned.

 

Just thin lightly though as stated, the last thing you want to do is choke out the other stuff.

 

You should throw a little clover out with that.

 

Why clover which I am not going to see results till next year? Winter Rye will give OM now and provide food this fall. I will be doing a ceral grain mix anyway next year so why go through all the trouble and wait for clover?

 

I concur, the only advantage to mixing some clover in would be spring green up of the plot if not doing a spring plot next year. If doing a spring cereal grain mix I'd also not do the clover.

 

I would overseed the whole thing in winter rye before September. It wont choke out anything. Just dont put it on super heavy.

Rye will be the first thing that is green in the spring and the deer will be on it.

Also wouldnt hurt next time you are there to broadcast some fertilizer/19-19-19 ideally before a rain.

I just lightly overseeded a brassica/radish/pea/buckwheat plot with winter rye that was about at the stage of growth of the plot you have pictured.

Also if them spots hold water and you dont have a water source anywhere on the property, get out the shovel and start digging. Even something as simple as a 2 foot deep Rubbermaid bin in the ground in a makeshift low spot to the water can collect wouldnt be a bad idea.

Keep us updated.

 

I'm not a big rye guy, if it goes to seed it is hard as heck to get rid of. I like winter wheat as it takes longer to mature that way you can leave it though June for the deer then spray and plant your brassicas July/Aug.

If you want clover late summer is the best time to plant it (Aug) as it gives it 2-3 months in the fall and 2-3 months in the spring to get the roots established. Then by late June-begining of Aug when there is very little rain the plant can make it through it.

 

More fertilizer? I already put down the recommended amount and disced it in before I planted.