Brassica size/planting method

[bigeight]

Putting in about 11 acres of brassica tomorrow and curious if people see a size difference in the bulbs/plants between when they break up the soil with a disk//tiller, and just laying it on the surface of a sprayed field that has plenty of seed to soil contact?

 

[roymunson]

I've done fine with throw n mow and broadcasting them.

Seed Density and planting them too thick has been a bigger problem.

I'm not a fan of breaking soil and reintroducing weed seed into the soil if I don't have to.

 

[jsasker007]

I see a much bigger difference if seeded too heavy. Sometimes less is more. Fewer plants= healthier and larger

 

[Mortenson]

Probably only in the sense that you may get them to germinate and start growing sooner if worked into damp soil vs broadcasting and needing the rain. I went late this year (IMO) and broadcast all my throw and grow plots on Saturday and thus far all the slam dunk rains have missed that location. Chance of rain tonight.

 

[Tree Spud]

You generally only need a 1/4" of soil depth. I have never drilled but have broadcasted into tilled soil, broadcasted into non-tilled soild with thatch and always had good success. I good rain fall and running over with a cultipacker gives good soil contact.

Follow seeding rates on mixes, over seeding reduces plant & bulb growth. I like to add red clover this time of year.

Here is a 1st year field I planted 6 weeks ago and only one spraying with GLY. Planted PTT, forage brassica, appin turnips, & red clover.

 

[bigeight]

Thanks guys. I'll mow what's there really short. Broadcast then culdipack and skip the flipping process.

Appreciate the response. Saves me a lot of hours and headache

 

[BrushyPines]

Thanks guys. I'll mow what's there really short. Broadcast then culdipack and skip the flipping process.

Appreciate the response. Saves me a lot of hours and headache

Idk what is in the plot now, but I would broadcast before you mow to have better seed to soil contact.

 

[roymunson]

what brushy said. Broadcast into standing grass, then brushhog and/or cultipack the seed down. Much easier to get the seed to soil if you don't cut the grass til the seed is down

 

[Mortenson]

That's a good point. I let a heavy stand of winter rye go to maturity this summer and when I spread seeds I had quite a mat of straw on the ground. Guessing I'll have bare spots. We'll see what they can come through.

 

[bigeight]

Perfect! That's what I'll do

 

[Bill]

Don’t do what I did. Broadcast into clover and decided to set the clover back with a light dose of gly.

think I was a bit heavy handed. Time will tell