couple questions

[PAhardwoods]

I plan on putting a hunting plot in that I'm gonna archery hunt over in an opening on the back side of our farm, Picked up a bag of no till easy plot because i cant get the tractor back there the blend has Tetraploid ryegrass, forage clovers, and rape brassica i've planted a lot of corn and oats things of that nature so i have the prep work down and know what to do , I just have no experince with these type of plants. Planting time is suggested from august through september archery season is from Sept 30-Nov. 11 i dont know how long it takes for these forages to mature so i'm not sure when exactly to plant them and how they hold up to frost?? I'm really just lookin for some general info on these types of forage and also is there anything else you could suggest that I could add into this blend

Thanks


Cody

[dogdoc]

ryegrass is attractive in very early stages but gets tough pretty quick. The annual clovers will be attractive all winter if you get good early growth. The brassicas are more attractive after a good freeze.

Just b/c it's a no-till doesn't mean you don't need to do a little prep. Get a good rake and clean out all debris on the ground (dead leaves, sticks, rocks)--try to expose as much top soil as possible. I'd also recommend going in now and spraying the plot with roundup. Once you get all the vegetation dead and the ground clean broadcast the seed after a rain--the wet soil will help the seed "stick" to the soil. Broadcasting during a light rain is even better. Broadcast fertilizer also--I'd recommend triple 13 at a rate of 200# per acre. I'd recommend planting around mid August for a Sept 30th hunting date.

todd

[PAhardwoods]

Todd thanks for the info on the forage, it sounds like i'm on the right track I planned on spraying with round up I didnt know if i should do that soon or wait till a couple weeks before planting. I think for the prep work i'm gonna take the timberjack back there and drop the blade down to clear it out real well.
I wanted to make some kind of roller to pull behind the 4 wheeler but if I try and get the seed out during a light rain will that really need to roll it???


thanks


Cody

[dogdoc]

spray now and spray again 2 weeks before planting. It NEVER hurts to roll the seed---will just increase your germination rate.

[PAhardwoods]

Thanks!!

I was thinking about maybe putting half a bag or so of the biologic hot spot the mixture what are you thoughts on that??

[dogdoc]

sorry--don't know the contents of their new hot spot blend

[PAhardwoods]

its a blend of brassicas, winter pea, wheat and buckwheat, says its been developed to be extremely palatable from germination through about 45 days

[deerkillr777]

dont roll it to much if u cna get a 4 wheeler back there then i would try ot find a small set of discs or chisle plows or something like that to help it out some