What attachments to plant small food plots without digging rocks?

[OZisKTB]

So I have a 1/4th acre food plot, and some other smaller ones here in the middle of a mature HW forrest. Lots of hills, rocks and clay.

I want to plant legumes, brassicas , sun flower and cover crops around the year. Trying to build soil as much as attract deer.

Had a guy plow, rake and plant the sweet spot (30 x 150') this year and things are growing well.

Now I need to cut the clover, sunflowers, and sorghum and plant brassicas. I'd like to expand the planted area without adding too many more rocks to my pile.

What's a good enough approach?

What attachments do I need to put the seed down so it germinates, assuming I don't want to plow?

-----
I have a bush hog and a box blade, along with my FEL and selection of buckets.

Thanks!

 

[AaronS]

You could actually get a great stand of brassicas without any attachment. The small seed lends itself well to broadcasting on top of the soil, as long as you do have exposed soil. Sew it ahead of rain, mow your existing plants to make a thatch and you're good to go.

 

[Ed of all trades]

A good heavy disc would work. If you set the gangs almost straight so it will roll over the rocks it would cut things up and you could also cover seed with it. If the rock are not to bad you could angle them a little more.

 

[OZisKTB]

Ed. you mean a disk harrow? http://cdn-lp.greatplainsmfg.com/cdn/farfuture/A4TfmgnYPEnaWooIIrI8k9OoPCDqLAKCTGdEi6a3mgo/mtime:1322854456/sites/default/files/styles/product_list_thumbnail/public/dh15_main.jpg?itok=jJxsxCpd

Using one to cover seeds, do I need something to pack after sowing, or will the disk (and a little rain) pack it down. Not looking for excuses to buy, but don't want to figure out I need something after seeds are on the ground.

Thanks for the post, OZ

 

[jd870]

I would recommend a disc.

 

[kneedeep]

I started with a disk and a piece of chainlink fence with tires wired to it for a drag. It worked great and I had good foodplots every year

 

[OZisKTB]

Ok a Disk. My tractor is 58" wide with R4s. Do I need a 5' or 6' disk? Seems their cut is not the same as their width? jeff9366's "Disc Harrow Selection For 18-45 Horsepower Tractors (Revision 2b)" said he used a 5' Howse for a tractor as wide as mine. Does that sound right?

Thanks

 

[efam3300]

I use my disc to cover my corn and sunflower seeds. You have to sow a little heavy because the disc will not cover every seed. I have a old Ferguson disc I rebuilt the bearings and added new disc pans on. I pull it with a 33 hp tractor it does a great job

 

[Slickheadhunter]

Just found this thread.
The small seeds shouldn't be more than a 1/4 in deep, I prepare a firm smooth seedbed with the disk and broadcast the small seeds then roll with a cultipacker.

 

[oosik]

I don't have food plots but I do plant mixed field grasses. I use a disk harrow set at a shallow angle - does not bring up many additional rock and seems to roll over those that are already exposed. I hand broadcast the seed and follow with a home made drag( 6' x 8' square made of 6" square timbers) to cover the seed. Works well for me. The "patch" will sprout and grow almost as thick as a lawn. I pull the home made drag with my ATV. I only have a light disk harrow - Land Pride DH1048 - so I put a cast cement weight(400#) on it for added cutting & depth.