Need ides for scarifying my rocky yard

[Echo154]

I am new to a kubota tractor….I’ve owned a John Deere 2210 for 23 years and it was great for the 2 acres…..but had to move to Flippin, Arkansas. Great move……im out Illinois anyhow. I bought a new LX2620 with, QA bucket, grapple and a LPrcr1250 brush deck. I live on the side of a mountain with steep slopes. My question is what attachments would be goor for preparing poor rocky soil. I have some places where the bedrock is at the surface….i know bedrock is, no bueno for planting on. I do have larger area that get full sun on th slope and want to plant native wildflowers on the sunny area and shade tolerance ones in several other areas. What kind of attachments would be best for preparing the soil for planting…..my soil is mainly various s mall rocks and red clay with sand mixed in also. I was thinking that maybe an HD rake might scarify good to plant the seed…in the fall. I moved my bees down here and they are doing great so getting forage for them and Extra hive parts up to split the colony is my next plan.
Have not picked a hive location yet thoughju
.

 

[mikester]

 

[KubotaHawg]

Welcome to Arkansas Ozarks—as a native of here, a few pieces of advice regarding your question:

First, and not trying to discourage or be a negative Nancy, but what you want to do is more or less pointless. Every 12” rock could be a ridge outcrop, and what rocks you are able to remove will be replaced with more being exposed yearly. It’s just the nature of the beast/karst geology of the region. Very little topsoil remains, again due to the natural erosion formation of present day Ozarks—unless you have land in a creek or river bottom.

I own 70 acres of similar terrain and my advice, to 1) avoid inevitable wear and tear on your machine, 2) accomplish your goals with far less work/effort, and 3) accomplish your goals by working with this land vs against it in a more natural manipulation of the environment:

Prescribed burn leaf cover and understory first and foremost. (Every 3-5 years m/l)
You will be amazed at what native forbs, flowers, and grasses will appear. After burning you can simply top seed native local species if you like—talk to UA Cooperative office near you and they will be more than happy to help.

Apologies for long post but hope it helps a little, just another opinion.
We are not blessed with the rich topsoil you have in Midwest grain belt states so I have found it’s much better and easier to adapt to the land than it to us.

 

[Scm]

Have not picked a hive location yet thoughju

Same here

I agree with @KubotaHawg. Don't waste your time and save your equipment. The first year in the Ozarks I tried rock raking my pasture. I made more rocks and stripped all the topsoil off. Best method is to wait for the one or two freezing days and use your bucket to scrape the rocks off the surface. If you have access to woodchips, spread a layer over where you want to plant and wait. On their way to eat them, earthworms will break up the tough clay beneath. Or raised beds.

This guy did a video talking about spreading rabbit poop and covering the area with a tarp to draw up the worms and change clay soil for gardening.

Pawpaw Sammy & Aly Bug

Vermiculture & Family. Join Pawpaw Sammy and Aly Bug as they answer questions about vermiculture, vermicomposting, gardening, and soil preparation - as well as moments as an ironworker and beekeeper

www.youtube.com

Another thing since you are on a slope, is to look into building swales.

 

[Echo154]

Thanks guys…..I kinda figured that would be the case…..I did some burn off in early spring….but the drought situations and constant wind prohibit burning now! I cleared some trees and several brush pile as well as assorted discarded fuel drums…trying to get underbrush and scrub trees out for good growth…..guess I could get some erosion control Matt’s and put them down where I plant wildflower seeds!

 

[KubotaHawg]

Thanks guys…..I kinda figured that would be the case…..I did some burn off in early spring….but the drought situations and constant wind prohibit burning now! I cleared some trees and several brush pile as well as assorted discarded fuel drums…trying to get underbrush and scrub trees out for good growth…..guess I could get some erosion control Matt’s and put them down where I plant wildflower seeds!

Burn season sucked this year in north Arkansas. I burned all 7 acres where I live last spring and it’s still green as can be right now, watching 3 does feeding 70 yards out in the woods at the moment.

Trying to burn our 65 acres in Madison county for 2 years and weather hasn’t cooperated yet.

I think you will be pleased with that machine for your needs regardless. I have an ‘06 L2800 and I wouldn’t want anything larger on these hills and trails. Just make sure to set your rear wheel stance to widest possible and fill your rears with liquid ballest if not already.

 

[KubotaHawg]

Also, you will get a LOT of native purple cone flowers after you burn, and as you likely know the pollinators love them.

North/NW Arkansas woodland honey is pretty tasty.

 

[jaxs]

Thanks guys…..I kinda figured that would be the case…..I did some burn off in early spring….but the drought situations and constant wind prohibit burning now! I cleared some trees and several brush pile as well as assorted discarded fuel drums…trying to get underbrush and scrub trees out for good growth…..guess I could get some erosion control Matt’s and put them down where I plant wildflower seeds!

That's usually a bad move on steep hills, and 3x ill-advised where soil is thin or non-existent. Limbs and trees laying on surface filter soil from stormwater and retain in place instead of allowing soil to wash down hill where it's lost forever.