Pinetag's Plot - 43 acres in Virginia

[George]

Flick your Bic, add some lime, add start amending soil with rye, wheat, and brassica seeds. That's my plan anyhow. Oh I might throw a bit of triple 19 and 6 24 24 at it.

G

 

[pinetag]

A farmer would break down in tears over those numbers. On the positive side, there's nothing there that a little money won't fix. Obviously this is soil that was recently woods. You don't show the recommended lime numbers, those are the ones to pay close attention to. Dumping lots of fertilizer on is a waste of money if your ph isn't right. I'd put the entire amount of lime on that they call for, even if I had no money left for fertilizer. The key is to get your ph right so that you can get your nutrients right, and then get to a balancing point where you have good nutrient numbers without dumping on lots of fertilizer, because the heavy applications of fertilizer is what lowers the ph again. You are thinking correctly that your OM numbers are a positive sign, and applying manure or growing straw type cover crops helps OM, which in turn helps retain ph, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

Ahh, table 2 has all the numbers you were asking about.

 

[pinetag]

Flick your Bic, add some lime, add start amending soil with rye, wheat, and brassica seeds. That's my plan anyhow. Oh I might throw a bit of triple 19 and 6 24 24 at it.
G

I did put down a fall mix last year with wheat, rye, oats, clover, and some brassicas but unfortunately the multiple floodings killed it all off. As much as I'd like to burn, I've never done it before and would be worried about it getting out of control. Plus I don't think it would burn appropriately in my damp, lowland areas. You're not too far from VA... you wanna come light it up for me? LOL

 

[George]

I did put down a fall mix last year with wheat, rye, oats, clover, and some brassicas but unfortunately the multiple floodings killed it all off. As much as I'd like to burn, I've never done it before and would be worried about it getting out of control. Plus I don't think it would burn appropriately in my damp, lowland areas. You're not too far from VA... you wanna come light it up for me? LOL

I've done about $3000 worth of business in my shop before and since covid this year so I'm back to making knives and whoring my services, I'll beat anyone's price.

G

 

[weekender21]

We really should start a forum burn crew. I’d gladly offer a weekend of grunt work in exchange for a little fire experience assistance on my place. It is intimidating burning for the first time.


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[massey]

Contact your state forester and get a game plan going. They like to burn stuff, usually. A lot of these guys are trained in fire and fire fighting.


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[pinetag]

Contact your state forester and get a game plan going. They like to burn stuff, usually. A lot of these guys are trained in fire and fire fighting.


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I have thought about that, just haven't followed up on it yet. That might be in the plans for 2022.

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[weekender21]

My local forester had plans to burn our place in 2020. Thanks to a WET winter then COVID it never happened.


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[Mennoniteman]

We really should start a forum burn crew. I’d gladly offer a weekend of grunt work in exchange for a little fire experience assistance on my place. It is intimidating burning for the first time.


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I'll bring the hotdogs

Ahh, table 2 has all the numbers you were asking about.

You were right, lime is noted on table 1 and I never noticed, I'm so used to looking at table 2.

 

[dogghr]

Actually I'll live with your soil tests because its manageable. I started at 5.1 ph added 2 ton/ac lime first year in 2009. It was 6-7 by the following year and I've maintained that until 2018. I relimed this past summer when I finally had the time.
Another neglected key by many is doing crop rotations, or at least not doing monoculture plots. I'm quite sure my land stayed at its optimum ph for this very reason. Improve that OM, create thatch, increase macro and micro organisms that maintain the soil, and you will sweat less. And don't lose a lot of sleep over it, as the deer will do just fine. Good luck.

 

[farmer]

I’m not too far from you and getting ready to haul in 300 ton of ag lime if it ever dries out. if you need some or I can help you out let me know.

 

[MarkDarvin]

With a CEC of 6 and an OM of 4%, I would focus all my attention on protecting and growing that OM.


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[pinetag]

I’m not too far from you and getting ready to haul in 300 ton of ag lime if it ever dries out. if you need some or I can help you out let me know.

Thanks for the offer farmer! My plots are micro size in the woods plots, so I am planning to just haul in some bags of pelletized lime and a spreader. I can do that with the atv pretty easily, but thanks again.

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[pinetag]

Actually I'll live with your soil tests because its manageable. I started at 5.1 ph added 2 ton/ac lime first year in 2009. It was 6-7 by the following year and I've maintained that until 2018. I relimed this past summer when I finally had the time.
Another neglected key by many is doing crop rotations, or at least not doing monoculture plots. I'm quite sure my land stayed at its optimum ph for this very reason. Improve that OM, create thatch, increase macro and micro organisms that maintain the soil, and you will sweat less. And don't lose a lot of sleep over it, as the deer will do just fine. Good luck.

I am planning to keep it green year round so I hope to have similar results dogghr!

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[pinetag]

With a CEC of 6 and an OM of 4%, I would focus all my attention on protecting and growing that OM.


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Will do!

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[pinetag]

My wife got her cast off yesterday so I was able to get out and do a little work early this morning. My MDC tree order came in last week so I started planting my access screening. Norway spruce for the high ground, and bald cypress and sandbar willow for the low ground. I also have a few plums that will go near the stands down by the creek. I wrapped the remaining seedlings in wet paper towels, covered them, and placed them in the garage until I can get out and finish planting on Fri, then I'll create some hinge cuts along side them for immediate cover until they can get some growth in the coming years.

I've got a forestry buddy coming out to help me expand my plots on the 26th and then it will be time to seed.


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[pinetag]

Most of my plantings are going alongside the pasture path I created last spring (right side of this pic).


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[pinetag]

My hinge cut screening beside the pasture is done, so now I just have to rake out a section along the path and seed some switchgrass. There is already a little bit growing there naturally along with wood reed and river oats. My hope is that the additional sunlight coming in will boost the existing grasses and between that, the hinge cuts, the newly planted seedlings, as well as the newly seeded switch, I will have a good screen there by next season.

 

[pinetag]

My hinge cut screening beside the pasture is done, so now I just have to rake out a section along the path and seed some switchgrass. There is already a little bit growing there naturally along with wood reed and river oats. My hope is that the additional sunlight coming in will boost the existing grasses and between that, the hinge cuts, the newly planted seedlings, as well as the newly seeded switch, I will have a good screen there by next season.

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[pinetag]

I checked out out one of the bedding areas I created last year and there is definitely more usage. Trails winding in, out, and around the perimeter, as well as a few poop piles in the middle, but unfortunately I could not find any beds.

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