Creek chub
Active Member
I’m considering planting barley on a couple infertile plots. I’m not concerned with deer browse in these sites but wonder if any has used barley before for soil improvement?
Barley??
- Thread starter Creek chub
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farmhunter
Well-Known Member
I've not - my neighbor farmer uses it sometimes when he plants alfalfa in the spring.
I imagine its a good scavenger of Nitrogen if thats your plan - and a big root system like winter wheat
I imagine its a good scavenger of Nitrogen if thats your plan - and a big root system like winter wheat
Creek chub
Active Member
With WR costing $22 a bag, the local mill suggested barley. He doesn’t even stock winter rye and says most farmers broadcast barley after corn harvest. I’d be seeding less fertile soil so I’m hoping this may be doable. I’ll probably follow up with buckwheat in the spring
suburbhunter
Active Member
I was thinking the same thing.Calling Mark Darvin...........
MarkDarvin
Well-Known Member
I don't know...
MarkDarvin
Well-Known Member
Come on!
It's the most water thrifty of all the cereals. It's also quicker to mature vs oats or wheat, so you can throw and mow fall plantings into it without having to spray or till. The straw has a lower C:N ratio than rye or oats, so if you're concerned about duff, this won't be quite as robust as rye. It broadcast germinates just fine like rye. You can get 2-row or forage barley that has no awns (the hairs on the seed head). Your deer will thank you.
What makes your soil infertile?
It's the most water thrifty of all the cereals. It's also quicker to mature vs oats or wheat, so you can throw and mow fall plantings into it without having to spray or till. The straw has a lower C:N ratio than rye or oats, so if you're concerned about duff, this won't be quite as robust as rye. It broadcast germinates just fine like rye. You can get 2-row or forage barley that has no awns (the hairs on the seed head). Your deer will thank you.
What makes your soil infertile?
Creek chub
Active Member
MarkDarvin
Well-Known Member
What kind of dirt is it? pH of 5 isn't hard to correct in sandy or gravel soils. If it's clay, it may be a never ending battle.
Creek chub
Active Member
It’s sandy and rocky soil..
MarkDarvin
Well-Known Member
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/lawnlime-pelletized-dolomitic-limestone
10 bags per quarter-acre. It'll have you in the chips in no time. I can haul 10 of those in my stationwagon each trip to the cabin.
Creek chub
Active Member
Is powdered garden lime okay too?
Laker
Active Member
Sure, if you can spread it. It doesn't go well through my spreader, especially if it's not 100% bone dry. It'll compact. Some guys will just cut open a corner and carry the bag around spreading it manually.
Creek chub
Active Member
I spread 8 powdered bags by hand Saturday because it’s cheaper than pelletized. That was a big mistake. I doubt I spread it evenly plus my pocket knife got all gunked up too. Pelletized for me from now on
Creek chub
Active Member
Good idea. I’ve gotta a fixed eese but leave it in the truck. Time to start using it instead of letting it collect dust
MarkDarvin
Well-Known Member
I still use powdered for 1-2 bag type applications. But anything of any quantity is pell lime for me.
