Building OM, Wi central sands

[Atj83]

First year plotting on new property. Have 4 small 1/8-1/3 acre plots in vey sandy soil. Soil report showed 5.3 ph and 1.5 OM. Hired a ag lime buggy to correct the ph and planted buckwheat this spring with the plan to crimp and plant a fall WR heavy mix.

Problem is the deer are hammering the buckwheat so it’s not shading the sandy soil as much as I was hoping for or going to provide as
Much green manure when crimping in another month.

Looking for soil building alternatives for next year, something the deer won’t eat as heavily, perhaps something to mix in with/ BW. Sun hemp?

Will the buckwheat bounce back?

It was planted May 30th, about 7 weeks ago. Should flower around week 9 from what I understand.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Telemark]

Oats, peas, beans, crimson clover, and some brassicas. All annuals that will eventually kick it, but diverse enough to cover your bases. Hopefully the rain lasts through the summer and let's it all grow.

I think you buckwheat will bounce back, but probably not flower. Hard to know without more information.

Next summer you can try buckwheat again along with pearl millet and such other crops that tolerate dry sandy soil.

 

[matinc]

The buckwheat will die when frost arrives. Based on SD recommendations I will be planting a 15 pound combination of med red ysc Alfalfa balsana and chickory around middle of August along with 4 bushel of tritacle per acre. Your 1.5 OM is so much better than my .9. This is a picture of parched plot from last year.

 

[Atj83]

Oats, peas, beans, crimson clover, and some brassicas. All annuals that will eventually kick it, but diverse enough to cover your bases. Hopefully the rain lasts through the summer and let's it all grow.

I think you buckwheat will bounce back, but probably not flower. Hard to know without more information.

Next summer you can try buckwheat again along with pearl millet and such other crops that tolerate dry sandy soil.

Are you suggesting oats/peas/CC/brassica for fall or to add to BW next spring?

I thought about trying oats & brassica this fall but figured the plots are too small and WR would be a better soil builder for next spring/summer prior to planting BW again. I understand that I need to terminate the WR prior to seeding out.

 

[Telemark]

Are you suggesting oats/peas/CC/brassica for fall or to add to BW next spring?

I thought about trying oats & brassica this fall but figured the plots are too small and WR would be a better soil builder for next spring/summer prior to planting BW again. I understand that I need to terminate the WR prior to seeding out.

No, I was suggesting a blend now to cover the bare dirt, then you can do rye for fall to really keep a carpet on it all winter. Then back to your buckwheat next spring.

I think I misread your post, though. So forget most of what I said. My answer to your original question is add pearl millet to your buckwheat next year.

 

[bigboreblr]

If ammending go light n slow. sandy soil doesn't hold much extra nutrients. You put a big shot of lime or fertilizer, it just goes deep. Light applications several times a year / grwing season is ideal. Could be 75lbs/acre 2 or 3 times during the spring-labor day. Fertilizer when crops are growing vs crops planted are better. Gots some active roots to take up the excess.

I've had good success growing canola. Deer didnt touch it. Good old rye works good. Wheat grows, but needs to be put in the ground. Light disc, then spread, then cultipack. Be careful with discing and turns, discs go deeper.

Crimson clover grows fast and likes sandy soils. I have not had luck frost seeding, think it wakes up then dies from another frost in the spring. You got to spread that like a early summer plot, like when buckwheat would be good.

Pretty sure buckwheat like a trellis crop, something to bring it up.

Hairy vetch works good too.


Bald spots in your plot, too low in organic matter........ MAke a nice bonfire, let it burn a few hours when it has alot of coals, drown it in water. Take that char and spread it on the bald spots. Ash is nice, but those black nuggets are plant gold....... I do this at camp when the club president wrecks the place with his tractor. Had a nice little lawn around the campfire, the 2 years he could keep his fingers off the tractor wheel.

plantain is another decent one too. PRetty much grows where nothing else can, but grows well in fair soils.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I would definitely plant some winter rye later this summer or early fall. You could drill it in or just broadcast ut prior to some rain. That will give you some serious tonnage next year that should shade your soil and give your next summer planting an opportunity to grow.