Native Hunter
Well-Known Member
Plot #1 - 21 Days - Spray - Throw - mow
Mixed Brassicas, Feed Store Oats, Mixed Clovers, Chicory
Plot # 2 - 10 Days - Disked
Diakon Radish - Gallant Red Clover - Chicory - wheat and oats
What is your analysis? Prefer one over the other? Was Fert added? What were the rain event timings and amounts? Previous crop?
Plot #1 is looking nice. What was in the Brassica mix that you planted here?
I don't see anything but an "X" where all the pics should be.......
All I see is a circle with a horizontal hash mark across the middle of it.
I don't see anything but an "X" where all the pics should be.......
All I see is a circle with a horizontal hash mark across the middle of it.
I can see those.....Looking good!
Honestly those two plots look almost the same. Both techniques work well. Your assessment of more even coverage with tillage is spot on in my experience. And as said, the ability to have no soil erosion is so important. I think moisture is more important perhaps in T&M for early success. And good soil is a plus. I do tend to use Fert with planting even tho my soil test say not needed. I haven't tilled for 3 years now, and with ease of planting, saving on time and cost in fuel, and the fact I'm not doing dozens of ac, I'm afraid my tiller will remain in the corner of my barn another year. I do think there is a fine line between enough mulch, and too much. With that said, I'm off to finish my plantings from rye to oats to clover to alfalfa. Thanks for showing.Here is the analysis and answer to your other questions::
- Both methods have their place. I think disking works faster and gives more even coverage, but T&M works just fine if you aren't a perfectionist (I'm not with plots but I am on some other things).
- I love the idea of knowing that I can take a DR walk behind mower and pickup truck and put in a small plot anywhere I desire one. The possibilities are endless. There are places where you may want a small kill plot but difficult to work with a tractor. The no till works just fine, and I will be doing this every year in those places.
- A small amount of Fert was added to #1. None was added to #2.
- Rain was excellent for both plots. Good soaking rain every few days.
- Plot #1 had a crop for the first time last year. That one was disked. But, I think the T&M is looking just as good this year.
- Plot #2 has been plotted since 2012. This is second replant.
Both plots really do look excellent. They both appear to be on somewhat rolling terrain, with elevation changes and adjacent tree growth providing security to the overall "feel" of the plots. One advantage of the Spray - Throw - Mow approach is you aren't typically using heavy equipment, which allows you to plant in steeper areas. At the same time, you aren't killing and then discing up the roots that are holding the soil. By the time the roots of the plants you sprayed are gone, roots from the seed you broadcast have their grip on the soil, so erosion is essentially eliminated by using this technique. That is absolutely vital on sloping ground.
The timing of your plantings is probably ideal, for the mid-South, as long as you get something close to normal precipitation. It's no wonder all of the wildlife on your place is so healthy!![]()
Honestly those two plots look almost the same. Both techniques work well. Your assessment of more even coverage with tillage is spot on in my experience. And as said, the ability to have no soil erosion is so important. I think moisture is more important perhaps in T&M for early success. And good soil is a plus. I do tend to use Fert with planting even tho my soil test say not needed. I haven't tilled for 3 years now, and with ease of planting, saving on time and cost in fuel, and the fact I'm not doing dozens of ac, I'm afraid my tiller will remain in the corner of my barn another year. I do think there is a fine line between enough mulch, and too much. With that said, I'm off to finish my plantings from rye to oats to clover to alfalfa. Thanks for showing.
You must be taking pictures too close to that alien plant!