Throw-n-mow without the "mow"

[Osceola]

Hi guys,

I spend most of my time these days at a Michigan-specific forum, but check back here from time to time. I have a question I could probably find if I looked hard enough, but if you guys don't mind indulging my laziness.

I have been using throw-n-mow techniques learned from the old QDMA Forum for a few years now with good success.

I am a no-till, throw-n-mow plotter for many reasons, but one of them is I prefer to have the least amount of equipment possible to buy, store and maintain. One of my implements I have found useful, but a pain in the neck is my pull-behind brush mower. It constantly needs attention for one thing or another.

Could I still expect good results if I broadcast my fall mix into standing rye and simply rolled it with my cultipacker without mowing?

 

[cutman]

Yes, but you need to roll it at the correct time. Rye has got to have headed out but not produced seed yet (if I remember correctly). Most farms call this method "planting green and rolling." There is tons of discussion about when to roll the rye here:

https://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=369246&DisplayType=flat&setCookie=1

 

[Rempump870]

I am guessing when the rye has a seed head, the plant starts to die down and that would make it easier to roller over and get it to lay flat?

 

[Bowman]

Hey Osceola, I am in north of you in Lewiston. I have field that I dropped some trees in and will not remove them all because of time hang ups and a concern over Oak wilt. I will be experimenting on broadcasting into standing rye and rolling with my cultipacker. I know that is not an answer for you, but just adding my $.02. No spraying. Good luck.

 

[Osceola]

Saturday I "rolled" about half an acre of rye with my culti-packer simply to see if it will kill it. I have my doubts, but we'll see.

 

[MarkDarvin]

Did you roll a second time perpendicular to your first pass? I'd have to think that would get it.

 

[Osceola]

No. Just one time.

 

[Bowman]

Keep me posted. Did you plant into the rye?

 

[Osceola]

No. Too early for what I plant. I just wanted to experiment a little. I will broadcast a brassica mix into half of it in July and then a cereal mix in the other half in August and then cultipack again and see what happens. I will do the same in other plots, but mow as a control. Half the fun is experimenting.

 

[Bowman]

I may be planting into the rye with the dropped trees. We shall see.