Got results for my first soil sample on a clover plot that was planted by the previous owner. I don't know a ton of history regarding the property (yet) but based on OnX and other satellite views, I'd guess this 2 acre plot was cleared out of an Oak flat within the last 3 years or less because it's still woods in the pics. pH is 4.4 and organic matter in the soil is low too. Phosphorus and Potassium are also very low. Within the "neighborhood, this is a stand of hardwoods in a mostly agricultural region. However, A large conservation area with heavy pressure is across the road and the closest crops are about a mile away.
My initial plan for this year is to put down a couple gallons of deergro's Plotstart product and an application of 3-18-18 fertilizer as a temporary boost while I learn the property, and get a couple other projects done to make it easier to spend time there. I realize I need to add several thousand pounds of ag lime eventually, but since the plot is established and clover is growing seemingly ok. I frost seeded about a month ago. I'll focus on that one next winter with a big addition of lime, either ag if I can get it there or Pelletized if I can't.
While I'm letting that plot "go", I have what I'd guess to be another 2-3 acres that the previous owner cleared right by the road. I need to accomplish 2 things here: First, and foremost: screen. Second, It's open and I'd like to plant something attractive to deer, turkey, and other wildlife in it. It's pretty empty dirt at the moment so I broadcast cereal rye into the open areas, with a mix of crimson clover. Along the edges I seeded the same mix of ladino and perennial red that I got from the co-op. I'm going to get a sample together next week, but for now let's assume pH is low because it's a similar situation. Recently cleared timber with low OM. I'm starting at zero.
Should I try to get some Ag (or pell) lime down, then disc or rototill to work it in, and plant something like buckwheat and more cereal rye to build OM? Personally, I'm leaning towards a disc because we have a nice walk behind rototiller I can use on a couple staging plots later. Also, my long term goal is to go no-till with minimum inputs but that's probably a tractor upgrade and several years down the road.
My initial plan for this year is to put down a couple gallons of deergro's Plotstart product and an application of 3-18-18 fertilizer as a temporary boost while I learn the property, and get a couple other projects done to make it easier to spend time there. I realize I need to add several thousand pounds of ag lime eventually, but since the plot is established and clover is growing seemingly ok. I frost seeded about a month ago. I'll focus on that one next winter with a big addition of lime, either ag if I can get it there or Pelletized if I can't.
While I'm letting that plot "go", I have what I'd guess to be another 2-3 acres that the previous owner cleared right by the road. I need to accomplish 2 things here: First, and foremost: screen. Second, It's open and I'd like to plant something attractive to deer, turkey, and other wildlife in it. It's pretty empty dirt at the moment so I broadcast cereal rye into the open areas, with a mix of crimson clover. Along the edges I seeded the same mix of ladino and perennial red that I got from the co-op. I'm going to get a sample together next week, but for now let's assume pH is low because it's a similar situation. Recently cleared timber with low OM. I'm starting at zero.
Should I try to get some Ag (or pell) lime down, then disc or rototill to work it in, and plant something like buckwheat and more cereal rye to build OM? Personally, I'm leaning towards a disc because we have a nice walk behind rototiller I can use on a couple staging plots later. Also, my long term goal is to go no-till with minimum inputs but that's probably a tractor upgrade and several years down the road.
