Can't make $&@" grow


1402731

Recommended Posts

I have a 76 inch tiller for my bobcat I have been fertalizing limeing abd tilling before I plant seed and drag after I am in northern mn all plots are acre or less in openings in timber why can't I get good plots almost forgot I roud up week before till. I am a logger am I just ment to cut stuff down not growit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What to spray with...depends whats in that mix...if you are having problems with grass already you may need to roundup that plot kill it off and start over in the spring with another roundup after green up wait two weeks till & plant, a plot in the woods,.. I would go with a clover mix

sounds like you dont have the grass problem solved

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I planted a biologic perenial blend this fall it seems to be coming but grass is faster what should I spray with and when next spring

How much prep work with herbicides did you do prior to planting your perennial plot? Grasses can be tough to control once established. There are products such as Poast that you can use to kill the grasses though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

P1010001-4.jpgYou say you are adding lime but do you need it? Why don't you call your county soil and water agent and ask for some advice on what to plant. They can also put you in tough with the Univ of Minn and they will test a soil sample for you. I think the cost is about $10 plus a few stamps now. Also as Matthews XT man says you don't want to cover it too deep. Best thing to use is a cultipacker that presses the seed into the dirt but does not cover it. A cheap cultipacker can be made out of a 8' section of culvert. Weld or bolt ends on it with a pipe through it. Friend of mine made one like that. Filled it with dirt not concrete so he can scrap it someday. Works good. Pulls it behind his little Ford N.

I plow and disc my plots then hand broadcast with an old crank type seeder. Afterwards pull an old bed spring over it with a 4 wheeler. But am looking for a cheap/free chunk of culvert.

I buy my seed at the local feed/seed store and pick and choose how much I want. I used to just buy their bag of premixed but think it has too much turnip in it. Too much turnip reduces the other plants from taking root next year. I like to get about 3 years out of a planting.

Photo is of one of my plots near Aitkin MN. I have reduced the turnip since that pic was taken.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

while i'm the last person to ask about a food plot (i've never done one) i do know that you have a county agriculture agent who will come out, free, and offer you advice for the soils in your area and all other considerations that will apply for what you want to do. get his advice and follow it, and i'll bet your luck improves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess the openings in timber would be my first thought about plot failure. Nearly anything you plant will require 4-5 hours of direct sunlight daily to grow.

These forest openings probably have weed seed which has laid dormant for years if not centuries. Tilling has brought the seed to the surface where it can germinate and grow which will crowd out nearly anything you planted. These are weeds which were born in the darkness of the forest. Darned hard to compete with.

I would look around and open the canopy enough to get sunlight to the areas I want to plant.

I would do a major kill of anything growing there now.

I would continue to spray until the area looked like a waste land.

Then I would plant a seed which required little or no tilling.

Get a good soil sampling of the area and have it tested. As was suggested, your local extension service is a good source.

Follow their recommendations. ( lime and fertilizer )

Don't rush the process. You have a tough area to work with. Be patient and you will succeed.

One seed blend I have had good luck with in shaded areas is " Forrested Trail " www.Heartlandwildlifeinstitute.com

Lynn

Lynn

Edited by LETMGROW
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.