food plot and soil improvement.

[vtsnowedin]

I want to plant some food plots and do it in a way that improves the soil biology so that the same ground might serve as a food production plot in the future if some of the doomerish predictions come to pass. At any rate having the ground more capable for production then it is today is a good goal. The first ground I am considering is a top of the ridge plot that has been pasture and then corn and has now laid fallow for twenty years with some areas grown up to black berries and emergent tree species as high as thirty feet.
I'm thinking of clearing any brush and trees (using my tractor) then plowing under the sod then picking the rocks. (always plenty of them) then planting a green manure crop of legumes like red clover and oats then plowing that under and after the proper wait time planting a mix of soy beans tillage turnips , radishes and winter cereal rye to get a good mixed stand regardless of what the weather gives me after planting.
This plot will be available for wildlife such a white tailed deer does and fawns but will have to be guarded in November through December by licensed riflemen to insure that no horned buck steals the does feed.

 

[dave1949]

It probably needs lime. Check the soil pH.

 

[vtsnowedin]

I forgot to mention that. I'll check it for sure. Back when we did corn the soil tests called for six tons per acre and I applied quite a bit. That is probably why the poplar trees that have sprung up on the bottom of the slope have done so well. .

 

[dave1949]

I like the plan.

Once the snow is gone and things dry up, I'm looking forward to getting back to work on my field reclaiming project. Trees and stumps are gone, still have 2-3 acres of rocks to pick. I planted some northern pasture mix (timothy, orchard grass, some clover) in a small finished area last fall to what happens. I'd sure like to see some green this spring. :laughing:

 

[vtsnowedin]

I like the plan.

Once the snow is gone and things dry up, I'm looking forward to getting back to work on my field reclaiming project. Trees and stumps are gone, still have 2-3 acres of rocks to pick. I planted some northern pasture mix (timothy, orchard grass, some clover) in a small finished area last fall to what happens. I'd sure like to see some green this spring. :laughing:

I suggest we should have dueling pictures of our results.

 

[dave1949]

How do you apply your lime?

A hay farmer near me suggested chicken litter with lime added to it. Not sure how I would spread that either.

 

[dave1949]

I suggest we should have dueling pictures of our results.

Good idea. I have a thread about it here in Projects: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/printthread.php?t=287487&pp=10

Funny thing is when I search for it, it finds it in Lawn World ???

I think I'm starting at a disadvantage soil-wise. My field was probably never better than thin pasture.

 

[vtsnowedin]

How do you apply your lime?

A hay farmer near me suggested chicken litter with lime added to it. Not sure how I would spread that either.

Well that is a long story.
The next to last time they came and knew everything!!. I told them OK but stay out of the NE corner. They didn't listen!! Big AG truck with half a load of lime on it buried up past the hubs. Local old guy Yankee self taught mechanic with a home built two transmissions in line wrecker twitched him out for $50.
He is dead and gone now. If it happens today I'm on my own.
After that I just had them worm it out in a pile at the top of the road and bailed a bucket onto each spreader load.
This time I will have to buy it in bags , break them into the tractor bucket and broadcast them with a shovel.

 

[EddieWalker]

You really need to contact your Ag Extension and get some soil sample sacks and send them in for analysis. In my area, the soil tends to be acidic and require anywhere from half a ton of lime per acre, to 2 tons per acre. You will put on the form what you plan to grow, and they will tell you what to mix of fertilizer to use and how much.

In my case, it takes several months for the results to show. I amend my soil this time of the year to get a good food plot in the fall.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Good idea. I have a thread about it here in Projects: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/printthread.php?t=287487&pp=10

Funny thing is when I search for it, it finds it in Lawn World ???

I think I'm starting at a disadvantage soil-wise. My field was probably never better than thin pasture.

Oh no you are not.!! Over most of my land you can take a straight crow bar and apply a half dozen strokes into the same hole and reach bedrock.