First fall plot is in...8/25 growth update.

I had mowed and plowed up about 1/4 acre of clover in our main plot a week ago in preparation for a fall planting here at the end of the month/beginning of August. With some rain in the forecast this weekend and next week, dad and I figure now was as good as time as any to do it.

We planted a mixture of Purple Top Turnips, Dwarf Essex Rape, and Groundhog Forage Radishes. Here's a few pictures of the process:


How it stood originally. I didn't maintain this enough, and as such, broadleaf weeds and grasses (foxtail) choked it out this year.


All mowed down:



Plowing it up:



We let it sit for a few days. Came back this morning and harrowed it up:





Spread some left over pellatized lime (it's already been limed this winter), and fertilizer.



Ran a drag over it:



All done. Seed is spread and compacted with the four wheeler (really need to invest in a cultipacker).



Now all we need is rain!

I will be mowing that buckwheat down in August, and plowing that under for clover/rye in early September.

 

Looks great man! Good work!

 

Looks great so far! Keep us updated how it grows!

 

Looking good!

 

Looks great Matt! Hope you get the rain you need.

 

Looks great, good work!!

 

Nice work! Looking forward to a growth update

 

Thanks! 70% chance of rain late today through all day tomorrow. Will keep my fingers crossed.

 

That looks great. what size plow is that?

 

Looks good! Man I wish I could get my deer to eat brassicas but they wont touch any of them!

 

Looks good.

 

Thanks, guys. Slight drizzle off and on here that started around 2pm. Heavier more soaking rain is in the forecast for later this evening into tomorrow.

Greg, not sure on the size. I will measure next time I get over there. We have two, two bottom plows. They work well for the fields we work up.

 

Looking good. Side tip. If you have access to a welder and some steel, make a cultipacker. I made one in about an hour with a 55 gal barrel. Doesn't look great but it works great.

 

Checked the plot yesterday. We haven't had much rain in the past few days so growth is a little slower than I would like. You can definitely see where the drip line is with the trees on the northern edge. Anyways, I think with a little more rain, we should be in business.

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Looking good!

 

looks great!. Thanks for taking the time to post the process pictures.

 

Just another quick update. Went up today to mow the rest of the buckwheat down in preparation for the clover/rye planting. Took a few shots of the brassicas. No rain since the last update, but they're holding their own.

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Looks real good. Especially for no rain.

 

Look great good job!

 

I use the same mix as you do works great. I mixed in a little antler king honey hole with that mix this year had some left overs. I also do a oats, rye, and clover mix rotation like you. Must be great minds think alike