Need to do something about my weed patch

[flusher]

One of my projects for the upcoming rainy season here in the North Valley (Nov-May) is to work on my 7 acres of native ground cover (aka, weeds). It's mowed pretty short now (4-5 inches) but the ground is really rough and uneven generally. I'd like to smooth it and grow something other than weeds.

I'm looking for advice on how to till this acrage and what kind of cover crop to plant. Getting tired of seeing all the yellow star thistle out there. Haven't decided yet whether to bother harvesting the crop. May just let it go and plow it under next year. With just 7 acres it probably will not be worth baling, stacking, etc.

Don't have access to the local subsidized irrigation district water, so have to rely on Mother Nature. Average annual rainfall around here is about 18". Last year was particulary wet (way over 20").

I have a 43-hp MF-135 diesel and am looking for suggestions on primary and secondary tillage implements and planters sized for this tractor to handle this project.

Any and all suggestions appreciated with thanks in advance.

 

[anojones]

I've been planning a similar project with about 10 acres, however, I have less water (about 12-14"). My plan is tillage, herbicide, fall dormant seeding via broadcast and harrowing with some chain link. Without irrigation seeding in the fall seems to be the best idea. I've been reading on what to use to kill the yellowstar and cheatgrass and have settled on imazapic/glyphosphate and a winter application of Transline. I'm not sure what's avalible in california- but you could use round-up, till, another round-up a couple of weeks later, seed and pray for rain. The seeding should be done when the soil temp is low enought that it won't germinate until spring. With 18" you have more choices for grass than I do- some wheatgrasses, hard/sheep fescues or a dryland pasture mix are ideas. As far as tillage, it depends on what you have- having a good seedbed is critical without irrigation. Options seem to be plow/disc or tiller. I've done a patch using my boxblade with the rippers down to tear up the hard soil and then have used a chain harrow to level/seedbed. If I had unlimited funds I'd use a tiller followed by a cultipacker- but I'm going to try a two acre area with the implements I have. Good luck and I'll be curious for other ideas from this thread.