Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Sometimes I just get bored with doing what is normal and just want to try something unusual. Also, I would rather plant something too early and have good rains than plant at the right time and be in a drought.
This year I planted warm season species with cool season species together at the same time about three weeks ago (around the first of July). Actually I was watching the weather and saw a period where the rain forecast was especially good for this time of year. Below is what i did.
This year I planted warm season species with cool season species together at the same time about three weeks ago (around the first of July). Actually I was watching the weather and saw a period where the rain forecast was especially good for this time of year. Below is what i did.
- Sometime in late June I sprayed the area I wanted to plant. It is a long corridor about 30 feet wide and 300 yards long. It is adjacent to doe bedding and since it is so easy for them to get to, everything always gets eaten well in this area. They even eat the turnips in this area but won't in the other plots.
- This was done with spray - throw - roll with pickup truck - and mow. Weeds and grass were heavy.
- Species planted were ladino clover, turnips, radish, wheat, oats, alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil and buckwheat. Please don't ask me the amounts. I just mixed it like granny used to make vegetable soup....
A pinch here and a cup there........
- Right now the buckwheat is taking off the fastest (as expected) and being eaten very well. It is tending to act as a nurse crop for the other species. The brassicas are also taking off very well, and the other species are visible but starting slow. Deer poop and tracks are everywhere and browsing is very evident. It has had two or three good rains.
- It will be interesting to see how this turns out, but really pleased with it right now. The key was watching for the rainy spell and taking advantage of that. We have another rainy spell coming over the next few days, and I'm getting ready to do another one of these plots. However, I will leave out the brassicas and buckwheat and go more with grains and clovers on the next one I do.
- This may sound crazy to start this early on fall plots, but over the last few years we have tended to have bad droughts in the fall. I would rather plant a month early with good rains than plant at the right time and not get any rains. So, if I am a rebel without a cause, there is at least a method to my madness. And, if something goes wrong, I can always come back later and overseed with wheat or rye as necessary. And, doing this keeps me from going crazy having to wait for the right time......
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