J-birds place
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j-bird
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I am interested to see how these turn out - since this is my first go at broadcasting.....hopefully in a week or two I will have a post of little beans popping up.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Well since I live on the property regular updates are not a big deal. If I bore some of you I apologize, but I figure these posts may be a good reference to look back on at some point for me as well.
Sorry - no pic, but my beans are already showing signs of life. They are still very small but I am certain that is what I am seeing. I will get a pic in the next week or so to see how they did from a density perspective.
I was out over the weekend getting some work done and took a few pics of the sawtooth/catscratch progress as well.
In my north plot I have 6 small (germination cages) and ALL 6 have trees sprouted in them. Some are much smaller than others and even some that I doubled up on have doubles in them as well. This one is the smallest in that plot, but it's a tree. My direct seeding success in this plot is nearly 100%.
This is one of the better ones in the same plot.
I also checked those in my bottom plot as well. There I was 6 for 9. These are not caged, and I need to get them protected before the deer find them. I also have the 11 of 12 at the house and they are doing well also. Part of me wants to get these into the ground and another part of me fears I can take better care of them at the house vs in their final location.
These sawtooth have done far better than I had hoped as far as growing from acorns. I need to get in the woods and see if any of those have sprouted yet. Last time I looked I was not able to find any.
My chestnuts are also growing and maybe this year I will actually get a nut.....not sure but I gotta start somewhere.
I was also out screwing around and found myself in my paw-paw patch and recalled a post by Native i think about having signs of fruit. I had never noticed fruit early before, but I looked up and ......there they was! Indiana Bananas! About the size of the first section of your little finger.
Sorry - no pic, but my beans are already showing signs of life. They are still very small but I am certain that is what I am seeing. I will get a pic in the next week or so to see how they did from a density perspective.
I was out over the weekend getting some work done and took a few pics of the sawtooth/catscratch progress as well.
In my north plot I have 6 small (germination cages) and ALL 6 have trees sprouted in them. Some are much smaller than others and even some that I doubled up on have doubles in them as well. This one is the smallest in that plot, but it's a tree. My direct seeding success in this plot is nearly 100%.
This is one of the better ones in the same plot.
I also checked those in my bottom plot as well. There I was 6 for 9. These are not caged, and I need to get them protected before the deer find them. I also have the 11 of 12 at the house and they are doing well also. Part of me wants to get these into the ground and another part of me fears I can take better care of them at the house vs in their final location.
These sawtooth have done far better than I had hoped as far as growing from acorns. I need to get in the woods and see if any of those have sprouted yet. Last time I looked I was not able to find any.
My chestnuts are also growing and maybe this year I will actually get a nut.....not sure but I gotta start somewhere.
I was also out screwing around and found myself in my paw-paw patch and recalled a post by Native i think about having signs of fruit. I had never noticed fruit early before, but I looked up and ......there they was! Indiana Bananas! About the size of the first section of your little finger.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Well I jumped into another switchgrass project AND took some pics of my broadcast bean and corn plot progress as well.
Well a weekend or two ago I bush-hogged my 3 acre switchgrass area. I then sprayed with gly at a 2% concentration and then broadcast 3.5 lbs/acre of switchgrass seed. Not much difference between before and after but will hopefully see some progress in a few weeks. Rain is forecast early next week as well
My south bottom plot with the broadcast bean and corn plot.
Close-up of the plot with my "boonie" hat for scale. I wanted a sparse spacing that way I can overseed cereal grains and brassica later.
Well a weekend or two ago I bush-hogged my 3 acre switchgrass area. I then sprayed with gly at a 2% concentration and then broadcast 3.5 lbs/acre of switchgrass seed. Not much difference between before and after but will hopefully see some progress in a few weeks. Rain is forecast early next week as well
My south bottom plot with the broadcast bean and corn plot.
Close-up of the plot with my "boonie" hat for scale. I wanted a sparse spacing that way I can overseed cereal grains and brassica later.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Here is my SW plot - you can look back at some older posts and see how it has progressed.
I also took some pics of where I try to maximize the area I have. This is at the end of a plot where the corn didn't grow well and I planted some BOB seed. This is crimson clover and chicory.....the deer have hit the chicory and the crimson clover has already produced seed. I have plenty of food on my place, but I try to make every inch of plot space count.
Another spot I use is a tractor access path. It has clover and chicory planted as well.....again using every inch I can where it makes sense.
I also took some pics of where I try to maximize the area I have. This is at the end of a plot where the corn didn't grow well and I planted some BOB seed. This is crimson clover and chicory.....the deer have hit the chicory and the crimson clover has already produced seed. I have plenty of food on my place, but I try to make every inch of plot space count.
Another spot I use is a tractor access path. It has clover and chicory planted as well.....again using every inch I can where it makes sense.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Why expand my switchgrass planting? In the beginning - my place was farmed right up to the timber. It was a very hard edge, so I implemented some CRP practices. I initially simply allowed the native weeds to grow, but I found switchgrass is much better for cover in the later months of the year.
This is what mother nature does on her own vs switchgrass as of this weekend. The "weeds" are roughly waist high while the switch on average is a foot taller.
My switch field edge buffer 120' deep.
Mother nature buffer.....
Some other "islands" of saplings to see if these pockets will help hold deer as well......
I have even starting planting cedars in clusters to see if the deer will relate to them in my switch planting as well.
I also like to allow some of the broadleaf plants to grow in thee switch.....you will see some clover, rad weed and even some not so great stuff, but I don't worry about it too much.
This is what mother nature does on her own vs switchgrass as of this weekend. The "weeds" are roughly waist high while the switch on average is a foot taller.
My switch field edge buffer 120' deep.
Mother nature buffer.....
Some other "islands" of saplings to see if these pockets will help hold deer as well......
I have even starting planting cedars in clusters to see if the deer will relate to them in my switch planting as well.
I also like to allow some of the broadleaf plants to grow in thee switch.....you will see some clover, rad weed and even some not so great stuff, but I don't worry about it too much.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
I also put some cages around my direct seeded sawtooth oaks as well as they did real well and without some protection I expect the deer will eat them.
I did have a couple that didn't germinate so I did transplant a few of the larger ones off the back porch into those locations......I did consider the root issue with my containers and took a pic of those as well. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be, but I did have some issues.
I have had above a 75% success rate with direct seeded acorns in my plot areas.....I was pretty surprised by this. They didn't do as well as those on the porch, but I think that is more due to soil temps and access to sun light and water. It will be interesting to see how these do thru the summer stress.
I did have a couple that didn't germinate so I did transplant a few of the larger ones off the back porch into those locations......I did consider the root issue with my containers and took a pic of those as well. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be, but I did have some issues.
I have had above a 75% success rate with direct seeded acorns in my plot areas.....I was pretty surprised by this. They didn't do as well as those on the porch, but I think that is more due to soil temps and access to sun light and water. It will be interesting to see how these do thru the summer stress.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Well I was out all last week in MO on biz and with father's day I wasn't out much over the weekend either......so I made up for it today after work and took a walk.
Well the soybean crops are doing well and I know we hear of folks asking all the time about how to grow beans for deer and the amount needed. Well in my area, it's simple low deer numbers and more beans than the deer can eat are EVERYWHERE! In the pics below it's easy to see where the deer are browsing the beans in the field edge. I see these same patterns come fall as they travel along that field edge near the cover. I shot one of my best bucks after I shot a doe at the edge like this and she ran into the field and he came charging out after her......I had no idea he was there......but it didn't take me long to make that adjustment!
Took some pics of my north plot as well. There is a lot going on up there since I am trying a few different things. I have a perennial clover plot that is doing well with a mix of ladino clover and chicory. I also have an annual plot that was seeded with a mix last fall. Some of it I have left entirely alone. Some of it I mowed and the red clover is being hammered by the deer. I also tilled a few strips after mowing as well a few weeks ago and some of the brassica has reseeded itself as well. I think it will be way to thick but it was interesting that they matured and produced seed and is now growing.
I also have what I hope is a pleasant surprise.....I HOPE this is a chestnut bur....if it is, it's my first one!!!! This is a Chestnut hill tree I planted as a 3 gallon container tree back in 2014.
I also went up to check on the new waterhole and to see if I could find any of my sawtooth oaks I direct planted in the woods. No dice on the acorns growing....... I checked several locations and not a one. The waterhole however was much easier to find! The "wildlife" found it rather relaxing as well!!!!
I also saw my chinkapin oaks are showing signs of acorns as well. Grow little buddy grow!!!
Well the soybean crops are doing well and I know we hear of folks asking all the time about how to grow beans for deer and the amount needed. Well in my area, it's simple low deer numbers and more beans than the deer can eat are EVERYWHERE! In the pics below it's easy to see where the deer are browsing the beans in the field edge. I see these same patterns come fall as they travel along that field edge near the cover. I shot one of my best bucks after I shot a doe at the edge like this and she ran into the field and he came charging out after her......I had no idea he was there......but it didn't take me long to make that adjustment!
Took some pics of my north plot as well. There is a lot going on up there since I am trying a few different things. I have a perennial clover plot that is doing well with a mix of ladino clover and chicory. I also have an annual plot that was seeded with a mix last fall. Some of it I have left entirely alone. Some of it I mowed and the red clover is being hammered by the deer. I also tilled a few strips after mowing as well a few weeks ago and some of the brassica has reseeded itself as well. I think it will be way to thick but it was interesting that they matured and produced seed and is now growing.
I also have what I hope is a pleasant surprise.....I HOPE this is a chestnut bur....if it is, it's my first one!!!! This is a Chestnut hill tree I planted as a 3 gallon container tree back in 2014.
I also went up to check on the new waterhole and to see if I could find any of my sawtooth oaks I direct planted in the woods. No dice on the acorns growing....... I checked several locations and not a one. The waterhole however was much easier to find! The "wildlife" found it rather relaxing as well!!!!
I also saw my chinkapin oaks are showing signs of acorns as well. Grow little buddy grow!!!
j-bird
Well-Known Member
I also took a few pics of a road screen project I'm working on. I have a woven wire fence where I have transplanted some honeysuckle and it is growing.....I then have a row of transplanted cedars as well. This is a work in progress. I don;t have anything planted to attract deer specifically, but clover does grow on it's own here. I let the weeds grow to provide some screening as well, but eventually I hope the honeysuckle on the fence and the cedars will do the job and then I will figure out what to do with the rest of the area.
Since my chinkapin was showing signs of acorns I went to check my white oak and found a location where deer where bedding in the tall weeds just off the soybean field. I have NEVER found beds here before so this was unexpected as well.
I also found a splash of color out there......got some honeysuckle, trumpet vine and some maxi sunflower.
Maybe tomorrow evening I'll take a walk along the south side of the place and see what's going on there as well. If I find something interesting maybe post an update.
Since my chinkapin was showing signs of acorns I went to check my white oak and found a location where deer where bedding in the tall weeds just off the soybean field. I have NEVER found beds here before so this was unexpected as well.
I also found a splash of color out there......got some honeysuckle, trumpet vine and some maxi sunflower.
Maybe tomorrow evening I'll take a walk along the south side of the place and see what's going on there as well. If I find something interesting maybe post an update.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Yep - Buddy (hound mix), Lucy (Lab/Healer mix) & Sasha (fluffy dog and sneaky neighbor dog mix) - all rescues of some fashion or another. They tend to go where I go on the farm.
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Let me know when your coming.....seriously....anytime. Just let me know...seriously.....we tend to not be very "warm" greeters to unexpected guests.
That brown dog has a thick undercoat and is wet for hours after a dip like that. The other 2 where dry before we got home!!!
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Well, sometimes you just need a little push to try something you haven't and thanks to Bill, I got that "push". So with some help from Bill I have officially started my journey with MG (I'm just going to call it MG because I can;t spell what it really is without looking it up). Since I have "Catscratch oaks" I guess I now have "Bill grass" as well. I have very little idea what I'm doing, but from what Bill has told me - It sounds pretty straight forward......so, here goes nothing!
Bill sent me approx 30 "stalks" of MG - I think those in the know refer to them as cuttings. I am told to soak in water until they begin to root and then transfer them into containers. Pointed ends down - flat ends up ..... per Bill's instruction. Sitting out back where they will get a majority of the mid day sun. If they need more I can move to the front (faces south).
My kids asked what I was doing with bamboo..... I told them it was "weed".....my son told me I need to ask for my money back because I got some pretty shitty "weed"!!!! My youngest chimed in and said, "Gotta be some deer stuff if dad's mess'n with it." I will add this to my habitat journey and have a few places where I think this stuff will work great for various screening purposes.
I have to give a great big THANK YOU to Bill for these.
Just to be clear I did offer to send him some Johnsongrass, canada thistle, MFR or Jap bush Honey suckle in return....
Bill sent me approx 30 "stalks" of MG - I think those in the know refer to them as cuttings. I am told to soak in water until they begin to root and then transfer them into containers. Pointed ends down - flat ends up ..... per Bill's instruction. Sitting out back where they will get a majority of the mid day sun. If they need more I can move to the front (faces south).
My kids asked what I was doing with bamboo..... I told them it was "weed".....my son told me I need to ask for my money back because I got some pretty shitty "weed"!!!! My youngest chimed in and said, "Gotta be some deer stuff if dad's mess'n with it." I will add this to my habitat journey and have a few places where I think this stuff will work great for various screening purposes.
I have to give a great big THANK YOU to Bill for these.
Just to be clear I did offer to send him some Johnsongrass, canada thistle, MFR or Jap bush Honey suckle in return....
THE LLC
Well-Known Member
Yankees........I would certainly call ahead. Not exactly a day trip. LOL
j-bird
Well-Known Member
I have the "forts" already built.....using this stuff to help hide them and me going to and from! Playing a game with the deer!!!
I have a tendency to open the door with one hand while my other holds my 1911 when an unfamiliar vehicle shows up. Or there is a knock on the door at night. I am the only house on a dead end road, closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away and the local "law" is 15 minutes away. A lot of bad shit can happen in 15 minutes. 911 and the law are fine to protect you if your a snowflake.....I tend to be a little more proactive! I try not to be shitty and if you're lost or need help, that's fine. But those coming looking for trouble.....well they will find what they are looking for! And until I have determined your intentions, you're considered a threat.....just that simple. Tough to trust people these days and my county has more than it's fair share of meth-heads and other deviants.
If you're ever up this way for some reason let me know and stop by. I have no issue with that. Didn't figure you would be just "out for a drive" and drop in.....
j-bird
Well-Known Member
j-bird
Well-Known Member
Took some pics today while I was on the south and southwest portions of my place today and thought I would share.
I have 1 apple tree producing this year but it seems to be progressing well.
My south bottom plot is going OK. There was a lot of volunteer corn that I will have to contend with. I was concerned of that. I did hit the plot with some gly (2% mix) to clean up the weeds however and will evaluate the need to address the corn density once I see what is actually corn. I may take a few passes with a tank of cleth to weaken the corns grip on this plot, but we will see. I just wanted it for some cover....the soybeans are the "food".
I did find a surprise.... Turns out some of the sunflower seeds I added by chance germinated as well. I avoided hitting them with my gly application. we will see how they do. I added the corn for some cover so I figure the sunflowers should help with that as well.
My southwest plot looked about the same but didn't have the volunteer corn issue, but still need a shot of gly...and it got it.
I also transplanted the remaining container sawtooth oak trees from the back deck into areas of sunlight I found in the woods in the north to see if they would make it, buy having a bit of a jump start....we will see how they do. And the waterhole up north has become quite the frog pond as well. Several frogs and tons of tadpoles. No real sign of the broadcast switchgrass in the south yet....I hope I didn't throw my money away, but there is still time....patience isn't a strong suit of mine! Over the course of the day I did see several deer and a real surprise was a hen turkey and 3 young ones - the young where advanced enough that they flew off, but still had the "ugly duckling" look to them.
I have 1 apple tree producing this year but it seems to be progressing well.
My south bottom plot is going OK. There was a lot of volunteer corn that I will have to contend with. I was concerned of that. I did hit the plot with some gly (2% mix) to clean up the weeds however and will evaluate the need to address the corn density once I see what is actually corn. I may take a few passes with a tank of cleth to weaken the corns grip on this plot, but we will see. I just wanted it for some cover....the soybeans are the "food".
I did find a surprise.... Turns out some of the sunflower seeds I added by chance germinated as well. I avoided hitting them with my gly application. we will see how they do. I added the corn for some cover so I figure the sunflowers should help with that as well.
My southwest plot looked about the same but didn't have the volunteer corn issue, but still need a shot of gly...and it got it.
I also transplanted the remaining container sawtooth oak trees from the back deck into areas of sunlight I found in the woods in the north to see if they would make it, buy having a bit of a jump start....we will see how they do. And the waterhole up north has become quite the frog pond as well. Several frogs and tons of tadpoles. No real sign of the broadcast switchgrass in the south yet....I hope I didn't throw my money away, but there is still time....patience isn't a strong suit of mine! Over the course of the day I did see several deer and a real surprise was a hen turkey and 3 young ones - the young where advanced enough that they flew off, but still had the "ugly duckling" look to them.
