String Music
Well-Known Member
This summer we have established several new fields with the majority being on ridge tops. As you probably know, soil on a ridge top in East TN isn't exactly "farmer friendly."
So, after doing some research, I've decided on the following crops to build up the soil:
Summer: Buckwheat- 40-50 lbs per acre
Fall/Winter:
1. Winter Rye (cereal rye, not ryegrass): 80-100 lbs per acre
2. Groundhog Forage Radish: 5-8 lbs per acre
3. Alta-Swede Mammoth Red Clover: 8-12 lbs per acre
Buckwheat is actually labeled as "green manure" by many people. The best thing about BW is the ability to get a double-crop out of it. If planted in April, it can be turned under in mid-June and re-seeded. Also, BW can be planted as late as July 4th in TN. I have planted all our new fields in BW as well as several hilly roads to prevent erosion.
I'm using Winter Rye (cereal grain, not ryegrass) instead of Winter Wheat because WR actually recycles the N back into the soil when tilled. WW uses much more N and doesn't recycle it. Also, WR does much better on acidic soils, has higher crude protein levels than WW, and actually helps to suppress weeds.
Another reason I'm using WR is b/c its hardiness. WR will germinate and grow in cold temperatures. This is important b/c the majority of our fields are planted in Durana. When we plant WW, it has trouble getting through the Durana and growing before going dormant. The WR will continue to grow well after the Durana has gone dormant giving us a better cereal grain crop. Also, WR will begin growing again in the spring once the temperatures get around 40 degrees.
I'm using Groundhog Radishes b/c they have a very long root that will help break up our hard clay soils (especially on old, compacted logging decks) and will provide structure to our soil as it decomposes. GR also produces foliage similar to winter greens that deer will chow down on. Further, GR also supresses weeds in the fall and following spring (which is why only 5lbs is used so the WR can grow).
The Mammoth Red Clover provides the most green manure of the red/crimson clovers. The MRC grows taller than other clovers and will provide food in early spring for the deer and turkeys.
After at least one year of this rotation (and the right amounts of fertilizer and lime), these areas should be ready for expensive seed such as Durana.
So, after doing some research, I've decided on the following crops to build up the soil:
Summer: Buckwheat- 40-50 lbs per acre
Fall/Winter:
1. Winter Rye (cereal rye, not ryegrass): 80-100 lbs per acre
2. Groundhog Forage Radish: 5-8 lbs per acre
3. Alta-Swede Mammoth Red Clover: 8-12 lbs per acre
Buckwheat is actually labeled as "green manure" by many people. The best thing about BW is the ability to get a double-crop out of it. If planted in April, it can be turned under in mid-June and re-seeded. Also, BW can be planted as late as July 4th in TN. I have planted all our new fields in BW as well as several hilly roads to prevent erosion.
I'm using Winter Rye (cereal grain, not ryegrass) instead of Winter Wheat because WR actually recycles the N back into the soil when tilled. WW uses much more N and doesn't recycle it. Also, WR does much better on acidic soils, has higher crude protein levels than WW, and actually helps to suppress weeds.
Another reason I'm using WR is b/c its hardiness. WR will germinate and grow in cold temperatures. This is important b/c the majority of our fields are planted in Durana. When we plant WW, it has trouble getting through the Durana and growing before going dormant. The WR will continue to grow well after the Durana has gone dormant giving us a better cereal grain crop. Also, WR will begin growing again in the spring once the temperatures get around 40 degrees.
I'm using Groundhog Radishes b/c they have a very long root that will help break up our hard clay soils (especially on old, compacted logging decks) and will provide structure to our soil as it decomposes. GR also produces foliage similar to winter greens that deer will chow down on. Further, GR also supresses weeds in the fall and following spring (which is why only 5lbs is used so the WR can grow).
The Mammoth Red Clover provides the most green manure of the red/crimson clovers. The MRC grows taller than other clovers and will provide food in early spring for the deer and turkeys.
After at least one year of this rotation (and the right amounts of fertilizer and lime), these areas should be ready for expensive seed such as Durana.
