Ground prep with B2650

[Caboose]

So, I guess this is kind of a combination tractor operating/general farming question...
I am taking back some of the ground (~2 acres) that I have been leasing out to a local farmer so that I can create more grazing/sacrifice space for my daughters horse (insert knowing groan here ). All of the ground I am taking back was in sweet corn last year. It was turned over once so there are no standing corn stalks, but there are some remnants of stalks on/in the ground. I don't know if winter rye was purposely planted this last fall or not, but there is a lot of winter rye-grass growing in that space - only about 4" tall so I'm thinking it is all volunteer from previous cover-crop. My ground is very soft and somewhat sandy - easy to work.

Question: When the ground is not so soft/wet/frozen (March/April), can I just go out and use my 60" RTR tiller to grind everything in and under and flatten that ground out in preparation for seeding for horse forage? If not, what do you recommend I do for prep? I have access to a larger tractor and equipment if needed, but was hoping to do what I needed to do with my own tiller and harrow.

Whaddya' say?

Thanks,
Dean

 

[nickelplated5s]

What are you going to do for seeding?

 

[Caboose]

I'm still a bit undecided on that. For a smaller section, I just used a broadcast spreader last September and drug my harrow over it to get the seed covered up. A lot of the grass germinated and has grown, but it's a little thin. I think I didn't seed heavily enough.

I might have someone come in with a seed drill for the larger section I'm taking back. My father-in-law sold his drill to one of our neighbors and the farmer that used to lease that section could also seed it for me if I asked (I would pay him). I'm thinking that having it planted with a drill is probably the best option for optimal germination, growth, coverage, etc.

Dean

 

[nickelplated5s]

Overseed and use the harrow. I did my neighbors this fall and it came up great. I think he used 50-75 pounds per acre versus the 25 a drill would use. He used my ATV with a broadcast spreader and I came back to cover. I did my small pasture with less seed, it's a little thin but will fill.

 

[Caboose]

Thanks, Nickel! The drill seemed like a bit of "overkill" for that small a space. I think I just need to use a whole lot more seed. Seemed like a lot at the time, but after I look at how much was left, I guess it wasn't.

I need to reseed/overseed what I already planted as well...the horse has been on that the last few days since the ground was frozen and he couldn't tear it up as much. He's had his head down most of the time and has it mowed down pretty good

Thanks, Dean

 

[SDMauler]

I've had good luck using a tiller to reclaim ground, but if you're going to broadcast seed it, go over it with either a harrow or a fine landscaping rake, then use a water-filled roller to improve the dirt contact with the seeds, and water, water, water.

 

[Caboose]

Thanks, Mauler.
I thought about the harrow and did that. I wondered about the need to compact it...Thank you for the advice. I will do that when I seed the larger area in the spring.

As far as the area that I seeded too thinly, should I just over seed that in the spring or should I rework that entire small piece and completely reseed like the rest?

Thanks, Dean

 

[boz1989]

One old farmer's trick is to broadcast on one of the last frosts of the spring. You will be driving on frozen ground, so you won't rut up your seeding, and the last couple frost/thaw cycles work the seed into the ground. If done too early, the birds will love you. Just another option before you tear up your new seeding. Kinda like any other seeding, if the weather doesn't cooperate, you just wasted time and seed.

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[Caboose]

Thanks, Boz.
A little unpredictable in these parts. We are just coming out of a somewhat prolonged hard freeze (for us). Good time to drive on the ground without tearing it up but not a good time to seed.
Because I have to till this ground and smooth it and then seed, I will probably be into the time where we are past any hard freeze risk.
I'd like to get it all done before I bring the horse back in April, but will have to see how the spring weather cooperates. If typical Washington spring, might have to wait until May.
That's okay...fencing to do until then...

Thanks,
Dean

 

[D2Cat]

Caboose, you say," All of the ground I am taking back was in sweet corn last year. It was turned over once so there are no standing corn stalks, but there are some remnants of stalks on/in the ground."

Do you have a disc? I'd go over it a couple of times with a disc, going different direction each time. Then drag something over it like an old box spring or a section of chain link fence with some weight on it. This will help to level it out. Seed. Then drag the chain link fence one more time to cover the seed.

Ideally, you would have the ground all prepared, leveled, etc last Fall.

Do it this Spring and pray for timely rain. Farmers do it every year!

Inexpensive, easy, effective, fun!!

 

[Caboose]

D2,
I don't have a disc, but have access to one. It's probably too big for my 2650 but I can either use my Father-in-law's JD or have him do it. He's 92 and is itchin to get on the tractor to work my ground .
I assume I can use the backside (tines up) of my chain harrow in lieu of the box spring or chain link, right?

Thanks for the advice re: the disc. I was wondering about just going in and tilling without chopping up those stalks a bit. Might end up getting a bunch of those wrapped around my tiller if it gets overwhelmed.

You're right about the fact that the ground would have been best worked last fall. We kind of drug our feet on taking some of the ground back after the sweet corn was done. By the time I decided to do it, we were into the very wet early winter... so spring it will be.

Thanks for all the great advice, everyone. I've picked up bits and pieces of farming, but still not very knowledgeable. I work 50-60 hours a week with my regular job so definitely a "gentleman farmer" .

Dean

 

[D2Cat]

Turn you FIL loose. Buy some diesel for him and let him play. Doesn't matter how many times he works, it'll just break up the soil and chop some of the stocks.

Chain harrow will work fine, and I don't think you need to flip it. All the discing and the harrow will make the turf much easier to mow when the time comes.

Your broadcast spreader should do fine also. I've planted a couple of acres with one and then used the same thing for fertilizer latter.

Plant plenty of seed. Pull your harrow over the seed one time. If you want you could drive you tractor over the harrowed turn to pack it some..... it's just fuel and time!

 

[boz1989]

When working the seed in, set the implement twice as deep as you want the seed and work it once. If you want the seed a half inch deep, set the depth to 1 inch.

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