The Throw n’ Mow Method

[StickTime]

So phase one of my T&M consisted of spreading Buckwheat (BW) and Sunflower(SF) into 6ft tall weeds. an area that has been overgrown/untouched for about 6+ years. Sow,mow and spray back in May. Aug 2, I limed and 10-10-10'd, sowed clover, brassias, radish, chicory and Winter wheat., then I mowed again and sprayed again.

We have not had much rain so germination has been slow but its showing promise, there are some volunter BW popping up as well. we need more rain!!

 

[Catscratch]

I've been holding off because our August and Sept are traditionally hot and dry. Well, we got 2.25in last night, .5in a couple of nights ago, more forecasted for tonight and tomorrow... Kind of wish I would have gone ahead and put out my fall plots last weekend.

 

[montavonm]

I'm a bit confused as far as how to go about this all. I have a couple sections down by a creek bed (maybe 0.5 acres) that are currently overrun by weeds. Tried to disc and plant clover earlier this spring which came up great but got taken over by weeds. So I want to try this method again next spring. Basically all I have is an old lawn mower and backpack sprayer.

Do I throw clover seed out first and then spray and then mow?
Or do I throw seed and spray then mow a day later?
Etc....

Thanks in advance

 

[Catscratch]

Spray it, wait a couple of weeks, seed it, mow it (seed and mow on the same day, preferably right before a rain).

Mowing over the seeds help them work down through the vegetation to the soil. The thatch on top retains moist for the germinating seed.

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[Barndog56]

I think the time between spraying and then seeding and mowing is flexible depending on how thick and tall the stuff is that you'll be mowing. If it's tall and thick give it the couple weeks to breakdown some before the throw and mow. If it isn't that heavy, you can throw and mow a few hours after spraying, after the gly has been absorbed.

 

[montavonm]

Thanks for the replies, looking forward to trying this out next spring

 

[D Hunter]

Montavonm, you will do much better getting a good stand of clover if you start it in the fall. Clover is basically a cool season plant. It is often slow starting and able to withstand cold temps pretty well once it has some roots under it. If you wait until spring, all the warm season weeds will get the jump on the clover before it can get started. By late spring/early summer it will be mostly taken over by weeds as you have just experienced. Timing is everything. Now is the time to plant clover. Good luck and don't forget to have fun. "D"

 

[montavonm]

Montavonm, you will do much better getting a good stand of clover if you start it in the fall. Clover is basically a cool season plant. It is often slow starting and able to withstand cold temps pretty well once it has some roots under it. If you wait until spring, all the warm season weeds will get the jump on the clover before it can get started. By late spring/early summer it will be mostly taken over by weeds as you have just experienced. Timing is everything. Now is the time to plant clover. Good luck and don't forget to have fun. "D"

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately I am going to be away from where I am hunting for the next month or so and won't be able to get anything planted soon, otherwise I would take your advice. I'll look forward to giving it a try around this time next fall hopefully!

 

[Barndog56]

My brassica plot growing well, so are the weeds. I assume the yellow on some of the brassica leaves mean it needs nitrogen?

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[kabic]

My throw and mow failure. ..winter rye..I don't think much if any is growing

 

[Bill]

My brassica plot growing well, so are the weeds. I assume the yellow on some of the brassica leaves mean it needs nitrogen?

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That would be my assumption also. Some type of grass killer might not hurt either.

My throw and mow failure. ..winter rye..I don't think much if any is growing

View attachment 10487

You might be surprised I think I see some rye poking up here and there.

 

[D Hunter]

One thing about a rye failure, you can reseed at any time up until the hard freeze turns the ground into pavement. In fact a number of sources say to plant it in succession anyway. Figure the maximum amount of seed for the acreage you have, split it into three or four piles and seed it over 6-8 weeks. That way you have some rye in the prime stage that is the best eating over a long period of time. Good hunting. "D"

 

[Crimson n' Camo]

Do you have any before pics kabic, showing your process? What you were starting with....what steps you took, etc.....Sorry if you have said this already, all the different experiments are kind of running together on me.

 

[Catscratch]

One thing about a rye failure, you can reseed at any time up until the hard freeze turns the ground into pavement. In fact a number of sources say to plant it in succession anyway. Figure the maximum amount of seed for the acreage you have, split it into three or four piles and seed it over 6-8 weeks. That way you have some rye in the prime stage that is the best eating over a long period of time. Good hunting. "D"

Do this often with wheat. Sometimes I spread it on an already successful plot just because a rain is forecasted, ando I can't stop tinkering with stuff.

 

[DEC]

So here is my situation. Tell me if you guys think that I can squeeze a throw and mow in yet. Remember it is September 1 and I am in northeast Indiana. I have a spot that is about 1/2-2/3 acre. It has been a yearly food plot that is generally in corn and beans. I rip it up and plant it in the spring. I don't know what happened this year but it is mostly a rye grass weed plot that is thick, with vegetation 3-4 foot tall. Very little corn, and almost no beans. It is out of control. My fear now is that the weed seeds will take it over for next year. So in an attempt to salvage it, I am considering a throw of cereals (winter rye and oats), maybe some turnips. Then bush hog it down and let the thatch sit. This is not a hunting plot. Just a plot down from my house that deer in the feed in. The dirt is a soft low ground black dirt, easy for root penetration and full of nutrients. Thoughts? I can make the seed and mow happen this holiday weekend if I have to.

 

[bueller]

I've planted rye as late as Sept 15th in central WI and had a success plot so you should be fine in IN.

 

[kabic]

That would be my assumption also. Some type of grass killer might not hurt either.

You might be surprised I think I see some rye poking up here and there.

I'm not sure how much other grass versus rye there is. This was planted around Aug 6 or 7th. I put down about a bushel on a quarter acre so I would expect to see a lot more rye growing. Looking back at farmlogs I think maybe it got washed out. I did do a rag doll test and the rye did germinate at home.

Do you have any before pics kabic, showing your process? What you were starting with....what steps you took, etc.....Sorry if you have said this already, all the different experiments are kind of running together on me.

I didn't document here, but I will dig up a picture and post what it looked like before and my steps.

 

[bueller]

I'm not sure how much other grass versus rye there is. This was planted around Aug 6 or 7th. I put down about a bushel on a quarter acre so I would expect to see a lot more rye growing. Looking back at farmlogs I think maybe it got washed out. I did do a rag doll test and the rye did germinate at home.
View attachment 10494





I didn't document here, but I will dig up a picture and post what it looked like before and my steps.

I planted mine around the same time. Sprayed a buckwheat and grass field. Spread rye and fertilizer. Then lightly dragged. Haven't been up to see it since but got word that it was about 5" tall and on the thin side this past weekend. With all the rain I thought it would have been taller and thicker. I will have some pictures to share after this weekend.

 

[scott44]

So here is my situation. Tell me if you guys think that I can squeeze a throw and mow in yet. Remember it is September 1 and I am in northeast Indiana. I have a spot that is about 1/2-2/3 acre. It has been a yearly food plot that is generally in corn and beans. I rip it up and plant it in the spring. I don't know what happened this year but it is mostly a rye grass weed plot that is thick, with vegetation 3-4 foot tall. Very little corn, and almost no beans. It is out of control. My fear now is that the weed seeds will take it over for next year. So in an attempt to salvage it, I am considering a throw of cereals (winter rye and oats), maybe some turnips. Then bush hog it down and let the thatch sit. This is not a hunting plot. Just a plot down from my house that deer in the feed in. The dirt is a soft low ground black dirt, easy for root penetration and full of nutrients. Thoughts? I can make the seed and mow happen this holiday weekend if I have to.

I'd go for it, I usually do not plant my cereal grains here in MI until now. Maybe add some radishes with the grains, good luck!

 

[kabic]

I didn't have as good as before picture as I thought. This was mostly tall thick grass before I mowed.

You can see the edge of it to the right



Steps:
1) mowed with brush hog
2) raked up a good portion of grass with spike harrow, intention was to feed it to cattle
3) spread seed on Aug 8 or 9th, Aug 11 got close to 3 inches of rain
4) Aug 13 or 14 noticed some grass where tires of tractor flattened it did not cut well and was starting to stand up. I didn't see any rye growing so cut again. Also the grass that going to be feed to cattle was never picked up so after being rained I ran that over with the brush hog a few times scattering over plot.

I really think the near 3 inches of rain maybe moved the seed. The other option is this rye seed from direct from a farmer is not very good seed. I think I may some more down rye seed down since I have it.