Plows for dumbies.

daTeacha · Apr 24, 2006

Sounds like you have pretty much lost any topsoil that may have been there. You need to start adding organic matter -- mulch, manure, grass clippings, chips from tree trimmers, etc. Keep mixing it in, keep it moist.

I'd think about planting an annual rye or something similar as a green manure crop first. The deer will eat it and it has a residue that helps build up the soil reasonably well. See if you can get a blend of seeds with some fast germinating stuff mixed in with perennials.

You notice I didn't mention Kudzu. Hope you don't have any in your area.

Highbeam · Apr 24, 2006

I am going to follow your lead and use the box blade rippers as a chisel plow/sub soiler/tiller. Isn't the purpose to reach down and break up the soil? After a thorough ripping of the soil then roll the box back raise the rippers and use the tail blade to smooth the surface.

Birdhunter1 · Apr 24, 2006

The only problems with using just the boxblade rippers is that they really only scratch teh surfae adn not dig down deep where you need the ground broken up.

3RRL · Apr 24, 2006

You can make several passes with the boxblade to get into the next layer(s). Rip and drag the topsoil to one end. Rip and drag the next layer(s) to the other end. Then come back and and drag dirt from each end in alternating passes. Be sure to add nutrients like the dateacha said. Last run the rippers way down and tilt the box forward and run several passes through to mix it up. Set your position control so as not to drag any dirt when doing this. Your area will come out pretty good this way. My food plots are small so it was easy for me to use the boxblade as an alternative to a plow or subsoiler.

N80 · Apr 24, 2006

I'd say I got down 4-5 inches in places but the 'soil' was just right in terms of moisture. Not too hard, not too soft.

I'm still trying to decide what to plant and what to fertilize with. Spreading will have to be done with a basic lawn spreader (again, current budget = $0.00) but the plots are small. I'm not expecting miracles.

However, these small plots are in secluded areas surrounded by dense brush and planted pine and the deer traffic is already high. I just need to give them some reason to hang around a while. They will be the only source of 'food' outside of their natural forage, on my property. I'm thinking even a minimal yield in 'crop' will provide a good yield in terms of deer. We'll see. I've still got to scrape together enough money for seed and fertilizer! Could always 'borrow' a little turkey poop from my B-I-L. If I did it at night he might not even notice. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Highbeam · Apr 24, 2006

I have had great success spreading grass seed with a whirly bird style hand held spreader. I have done several acres this way. Seems just the ticket for seeding smaller plots.

N80 · Apr 24, 2006

Got one of those too. My son can run it and I'll push the yard spreader.

Highbeam · Apr 24, 2006

I seeded all of this with a hand seeder. Top of this hill in January.

Turkeyman · Apr 25, 2006

I plant about 20 acres in a active rock quarry and first I bottom plow where no trees have been for at least 3-4 yrs, then we disk then plant. After bottom plowing let the dirt sit for at least 3 weeks to start decomposing. Where we have had trees we use a chisel plow or culitvator. Look at the SC Market Bulliten for used equipment scattered thru out the state.