Tilling pasture

[dkizerian]

Hi,
I've got a question about tilling an old pasture that is full of foxtails. I was going to use an old field ripper to break up the"sod" a bit before using the tiller, but I'm just not sure what to do with the grass. Right now the growth is 12-18" high, I figure I have to cut it down, but then can I till the cuttings under?

I'm hoping to avoid having to rake up and dispose of the grass/weeds

Thanks

 

[dex3361]

Rotary cut as low as possible then till. That has always worked well for me.

 

[bjr]

I've done old pastures. Mow as low as you can go then get a moldboard plow and tun over the sod, then rototill. Old pastures can be a pain to bust up. You will have a good seed bed then. bjr

 

[sweettractors]

If the field is compacted, Bush hog down low then plow an seal off sod from sunlight with a drag or disc harrow........let decompose and get a couple good rains.....roto till to prepare seedbed. Ken Sweet

 

[dkizerian]

Thanks for the fast responses! I don't have a plow. Would I be ok doing the following?

Mow
Field ripper
Till
Let field sit for a while to let weeds and such come back up
Till again
Water
Broadcast seed
Drag harrow to cover seed
Water

Waiting for a few rains isn't going to work, as it could be till August before in rains any real amount.

Thanks again!

 

[sweettractors]

Thanks for the fast responses! I don't have a plow. Would I be ok doing the following?

Mow
Field ripper
Till
Let field sit for a while to let weeds and such come back up
Till again
Water
Broadcast seed
Drag harrow to cover seed
Water

Waiting for a few rains isn't going to work, as it could be till August before in rains any real amount.

Thanks again!

If you don't have rain to germinate and grow the newly seeded crop, then you may be wasting your time moving forward. Ken Sweet

 

[sixdogs]

Rather than broadcast seed you should beg or borrow a Brillion seeder. As well, you should wait until August --September to seed and will have a far better success rate and cut down on weed germination. Other than that, you have the right tools. Just remember that the goal is to prepare a nice, smooth soft seedbed to allow good soil-seed contact. Good luck.

 

[Egon]

Foxtail has a tendency to grow in higher alkaline soils where the desired grasses have a tough time.

Maybe a soil test before seeding?:thumbsup:

 

[bigtiller]

I just tilled an area in an old pasture for a garden about 90 x 150. At the end of EVERY pass I had to stop and cut the bailing twine and wraps out of the tines. But the guy gave me a nice tip so it worked out okay.

 

[Catman8]

I have the same situation, five acres and about four acres of fox tails, I don't have time right now to plant any crops but would like to get rid of these fox tails and weeds and goat head stickers. The neighbor accross the way was having someone come spray his property every year and i see he did not spray this year and all the weeds came right back. If I use a tiller am I just planting the foxtail seed to grow next year or does turning the weeds under kill them. Tilling four acres seam like a lot of work with a 60" tiller. I am really trying to stay away from chemicals.

 

[leonz]

I have the same situation, five acres and about four acres of fox tails, I don't have time right now to plant any crops but would like to get rid of these fox tails and weeds and goat head stickers. The neighbor accross the way was having someone come spray his property every year and i see he did not spray this year and all the weeds came right back. If I use a tiller am I just planting the foxtail seed to grow next year or does turning the weeds under kill them. Tilling four acres seam like a lot of work with a 60" tiller. I am really trying to stay away from chemicals.

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Adding to Ken Sweets suggestion;


Using the large rolls of plastic weed barrier will work well once you have the brush and sod mowed to one inch
tall and you can lay the plastic down to kill the sod completely.

Doing it an acre at a time will be work and after a month you can pull the plastic and deep till the sod as the
shallow roots will be dead.


You can till in one direction then overlap by half the width and then till the acre at right angles in opposite directions
and also pull the rocks out as needed.

You can then broadcast spread triple 10 or triple 30 and then deep till it in and then broadcast buckwheat or winter rye
when the cooler weather comes or if you have a neighbor with a grain drill perhaps you can hire him or her to plant an
acre for you.