Broke Ground For New Garden With Middlebuster!

[bp fick]

When you work soil, if it is too wet, clay based soils will compact easily and will clod. The makes irregular shaped bricks out of the clay content. If they were perfect rectangles, you could fire them and build a wall.

Working the soil until it crumbles into fine is a matter of hitting it when the soil moisture is just right. I'd recommend you might consider dragging a spike tooth or spring tooth harrow over that ground before trying to plant. Once the clods are formed, it can be difficult to find that sweet spot of not too wet and not too dry when the soil will crumble.

It is also a sign of inadequate tilth or humus composition of the soil. Next fall, generously apply as much compost as you can muster and till it in to integrate over the winter.

 

[Car Doc]

I am probably way off but it looks like the rear wheels are compacting it and that may be why its clumping and that may be from too much moisture. my 2c

 

[Travis_R]

I'm thinking that the problem is that the soil is too moist.

 

[bp fick]

Working clay is as much art as it is science. Country folks from all over claim their clay, be it grey, red, blue or white is the worst. They are all bad.

I grew up on farm that had one sandy field, one loam field, but two clay fields. Buddy, you had to hit those clay fields at the absolute perfect time or you'd make clods as hard as rocks and you'd have to deal with them through the entire growing season. Still, there are things you can do.

Some things you learn the hard way. My dad, God rest his soul, was too stubborn to fall plow, when he should have. Grandpa told him, but you know how that goes some times. The frost up here is your friend!! It breaks down clay into powder like nothing else can.

Secondly, clay soil simply has insufficient organic matter and a surplus of inorganic matter in ratio. It takes growing/plowing under green manure and adding compost, compost, compost to change that clay into something that resembles soil. In my opinion, it is worth the effort, because clay based soils, though a pain, have potential for productivity.

 

[drw]

That's a lot of wisdom bp fick. :thumbsup:

 

[jonyyuma]

I too plow up the clay with a middle buster and add material to the deepest part of the furrows . I then cover it up for the winter.Yes, the 90 degree plowing is like bronco busting, just keep thumbs out of the center of steering wheel, and use the pad on the seat.

 

[Travis_R]

That's a lot of wisdom bp fick. :thumbsup:

I second that...

 

[Travis_R]

Ok, the rows are finally completed!! I'm satisfied with them. There as good as they gonna get for the Spring of 2011...

Got 14 rows about 80 ft. long. Planted a row of red potatoes yesterday, and planting corn tomorrow.

The problem with the row disks was I had them set way too agressive, causing them to cut way too deep! All I had to do (after I got someone there who knew) was to make the toplink short as possible and not let the hydraulics (lift arms) go all the way down. A friend of mine that I've known all my life (and who lives close by) brought his Mahindra 3510 over and we put my disks on it. I had the row hippers on my tractor (he seen how aggravating it was with me having to switch the 2 implements back and forth). We disked and disked and made rows, disked some more and made more rows! Finally go it though and yes, that clay is HE**!!

Anyway, we got it all done and I took a few pics. Will take more pics tomorrow.

**NOTE: THE LAST 2 PICS OF THE ROWS YOU SEE ARE PICS OF THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING, NOT THE FINISHED PRODUCT. ALL OTHER PICS ARE THE FINISHED PRODUCT.**

Oh by the way, I'm eating turnips from our little (very little) small winter garden we had, as I type this message. Gotta love it!!:licking:

 

[bp fick]

Looking good!!!! That soil looks rich. good job.

 

[Travis_R]

Looking good!!!! That soil looks rich. good job.

Thank You.

Part of the garden is on what used to be an old chicken yard many, many years ago. I don't know how rich the soil is, but I agree with you. It sure looks it!

Once the crops start coming up, I don't know if I'm gonna be excited to use the cultivator harrow (for weed control) or not. I'm anxious because I've never used it yet, but I don't wanna start having un-wanted vegitation either!!:laughing:

My grandfather is kinda helping me with this project. It's sort of a unique situation because he's teaching me about planting and I'm teaching him how to do it with a tractor and field/garden implements. He knows a LOT about raising a garden and plowing fields, but doesn't know about farm equipment. All he had when he was growing up was the horse/mule and plow.

So it's a learning experience for both of us and there couldn't be a better person by my side to help me accomplish this project... "Thank You Lord."