e.myers
Silver Member
Was thinking I'd like to strip till a field of clover (say 12-18" row width tilled), and have these strips on 30 to 36" centers. This would leave a strip of about 18" of clover that is allowed to grow on. After the first till, come back in 2-3 weeks, till the same strips again. When I'm ready to seed the row, use the same device to plant the row. Once the seed starts taking off and the clover reaches maturity, come back at some point and till in (effectively cultivate) the mature clover row middles.
I think this is probably something along the lines of a no till type planter but not sure. Problem here being not planning on using any burndown chemicals to kill the clover (or other cover) before planting into it.... which is my understanding of the way typical no-till planting is done. Or maybe there is some sort of strip till or minimal till "planter".
I'm thinking that with the strips tilled that wide, I wouldn't really have a problem with competition for moisture & nutrients at the early corn stages, and I'm also thinking that by waiting to till the clover in the row middles, I'll realize a more significant N contribution about the time the corn can use it.
I'm experimenting with this for this season with a normal rototiller in my home garden. Just was thinking maybe that if it works out, I could move the idea into some field corn I'm going to be planting..... Have a nice field of crimson clover that my cows will graze down and set back, so would be nice if I could till the rows after they graze it down, then let the middles regrow....
Now, if any of this makes sense, I'd like to find the device in a one or two row planter. Haven't purchased a planter yet so figured I'd look into my options.
Anyone know of anything like this? Can anyone see any problems with the general idea.
I think this is probably something along the lines of a no till type planter but not sure. Problem here being not planning on using any burndown chemicals to kill the clover (or other cover) before planting into it.... which is my understanding of the way typical no-till planting is done. Or maybe there is some sort of strip till or minimal till "planter".
I'm thinking that with the strips tilled that wide, I wouldn't really have a problem with competition for moisture & nutrients at the early corn stages, and I'm also thinking that by waiting to till the clover in the row middles, I'll realize a more significant N contribution about the time the corn can use it.
I'm experimenting with this for this season with a normal rototiller in my home garden. Just was thinking maybe that if it works out, I could move the idea into some field corn I'm going to be planting..... Have a nice field of crimson clover that my cows will graze down and set back, so would be nice if I could till the rows after they graze it down, then let the middles regrow....
Now, if any of this makes sense, I'd like to find the device in a one or two row planter. Haven't purchased a planter yet so figured I'd look into my options.
Anyone know of anything like this? Can anyone see any problems with the general idea.