Darron Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 (edited) Well, I am officially on summer break now until the end of August (I love teaching;)), so now I am in the food plot mood. I have all my seed bought and I am getting ready to prep the plots. I am putting in a plot of brassicas, oats and winter rye. Here's my timeline of events: Mow (if necessary) and till plots between June 12-14. Drag plots to firm up seed bed with drag harrow Wait approx 1 month (mid July) and spray new weed growth from tilling. Wait around a week and broadcast brassica mix on one plot around the end of July. Look at rye and oat plots and check for weed kill. Spot spray if necessary. Wait an additional 2-3 week and plant oat and rye plots around August 20th. I understand the cereal grains should be planted later, but since I teach/coach football, I really need to have everything in by late August since i return to work. I am hoping planting the cereal grains around August 20'ish, they will still be 6" or less come the opener on Sept 26th. My area has no ag fields, so I am guessing these "green" plots will get their fair amount of browse pressure and hopefully the deer will keep them from getting too tall. The brassica plot is around 1/2 acre, the oat plot is around 1/2 acre and the rye plot will be around an acre. Any comments or recommendations???? Edited June 10, 2009 by Darron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Sounds like a plan. IF you get enough rain it will be fine, but that's a big IF in August in Ohio. Didn't know you were a teacher. So am I. Where do you teach? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 We usually shoot for fall plantings here in early September, so guessing with your weather a little cooler there you should be ok with the end of August on the grains, don't think I would plant the brassicas quite that early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 I usually plant my fall plots the first weekend of September here in Oklahoma. Like Chris said if you get the moisture you should be just fine. good luck! todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darron Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Sounds like a plan. IF you get enough rain it will be fine, but that's a big IF in August in Ohio. Didn't know you were a teacher. So am I. Where do you teach? I teach in West Carrollton City Schools just outside of Dayton. I teach 7th grade PE, 8th grade health, 8th grade wellness (glorified weight lifting class), preschool PE and kindergarten PE all in one day:eek: This will be my third year. Athough not the easiest assignment (I go from one extreme to another), I am happy to have a job. The teaching market these days is very difficult. I had 115 applicants for my job. Just was at the right place at the right time. I was reading on qdma forums and many people recommended planting brassicas in late July/early August so they have time to mature by hunting season. Am I messing up planting brassicas in late July? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 I was reading on qdma forums and many people recommended planting brassicas in late July/early August so they have time to mature by hunting season. Am I messing up planting brassicas in late July? Your weather in Ohio is a bit more moderate than ours. Typically August here is probably the worst month for heat and lack of rain, a mid July planting that got enough moisture that it germinated might not fare too well here in August. With that being said though I have had good results here planting beans and peas in July in the bottom where there is more moisture. Plantings of beans and peas at the same time in the hills where there was not as much moisture available did not do so great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darron Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Your weather in Ohio is a bit more moderate than ours. Typically August here is probably the worst month for heat and lack of rain, a mid July planting that got enough moisture that it germinated might not fare too well here in August. With that being said though I have had good results here planting beans and peas in July in the bottom where there is more moisture. Plantings of beans and peas at the same time in the hills where there was not as much moisture available did not do so great. I was told brassica plantings in late August/early Sept would not allow enough time for growing. This is why they recommended late July/early August. I am planting purple top, dwarf essex and appin forage turnips. Most say 60-90 days for maturity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Maturity is one thing, rain is another. We just typically don't get enough rain in July/August to plant anything. I don't know about Dayton, but central Ohio is 3" behind on rainfall so far this year. We got a whopping .1 about 2 hours ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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