Food Plots Dry spell

[TheLBLman]

To my total surprise, "lake effect" came into play today, and we received a little unexpected rain in Stewart Co. Maybe a little more will happen tomorrow.

 

[TheLBLman]

. . . Sept is the 2nd driest average month (3.6") of the year.

And what rain that falls in Sept, the rainfall tends to more towards the last week of Sept, i.e. much seed is wasted on Labor Day weekend.

 

[drrxnupe]

If you planted within the last day or so, you now stand the chance of having your seeds washed away. Total monsoon as we speak here in middle TN.

 

[landman]

We got 12 acres sprayed before the rain today, started no-tilling again but got too wet in the flash flood rains in Stewart Co today.
But 9 miles up the road no rain

 

[Hunter 257W]

I did get some rain after all - about an inch - so looking forward to seeing some growth by the weekend.

 

[Boone 58]

Rained a good bit here in Lawrence county!

 

[PalsPal]

much seed is wasted on Labor Day weekend.

Is there a time frame in which sown seed needs rain before it will not germinate?

Just curious what the difference would be in getting rain a day or so after sowing or it being 3-4 weeks?

 

[Boll Weevil]

I don't know an exact timeframe but soft-coated seets and cereal grains typically become bird food pretty quickly. If you have lots of turkeys, they can wipe out ungerminated seed that was broadcast faster than you can imagine.

Drilled will likely have a higher germination rate (if it's sown in moist soil) and less "bird predation" (because it's buried).

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I cant get any rain to save my life. Early planted plots (Aug 10-20) are doing great but almost no rain since is hurting my later planted stuff. Sucks

 

[woodsman87]

Hate complaining about weather because its out of my control, but my farms need it bad. Hasn't rained at my place since August 13th I believe. I don't know when I'm going to be able to plant. Small chance of rain this afternoon, but not going to chance planting with not rain. There is also no good rain chances in sight. Just a big cool front then by next Tuesday is going to be upper 80s low 90s again, drying us out even furhter.
I guess its good for farmers picking the corn, but not for my food plots. I am going to be in trouble if I can get my stuff planted by about October 15th.

I looked at some graphs of the state of TN and AL, and an image, and right where our farms is was one of the driest places in the southeast. It appears that the middle of high pressure is hovering over my house. I am not a meteorologist, just griping that I need some rain. I noticed Monday and Tuesday this week, places about 30+ miles from me got all the rain they needed. Monday it fizzled out about 30 miles from me, and Tuesday it bulit up about 30 miles from me and stayed in the same place, and gradually moved NW instead of E or SE like normal.

 

[tellico4x4]

Has rained 3 out 4 last days on Wayne/Hardin line at out place, with 3/4" on Wed. We finished tillering 5 plots last Sat and didn't plant as thought this week would be dry...Will have to re-work ground tomorrow to finish planting.

 

[woodsman87]

Finally rained. Got two out of four planted before rain yesterday afternoon. Maybe more rain soon so I can plant my others.

 

[timberjack86]

Got a inch 2 days ago but it seems to have dissapeard quick.

 

[BSK]

The seed I broadcast last weekend in August all went down the gullet of doves, crows and turkey.

 

[timberjack86]

The seed I broadcast last weekend in August all went down the gullet of doves, crows and turkey.

I am afraid my cover seed is facing the same fate.

 

[woodsman87]

Since it only rained about 1/2" to 1" On Thursday when I planted, and has gotten more dry and more hot this week, mine will probably swell up then wither and die.
There isn't a such think as turkeys in southern Giles anymore, so I am not worried about them.