Plot suggestions needed

[Weed Wacker]

I have 4 different plots and need some help deciding what to plant. Plot 1 is 1/2 acre and was in clover the last 3 years. the weeds have pretty well taken over. Plot 2 is 1/4 acre and was in ptt and ghr last year. Plot 3 is 1/2 acre and was seeded with clover last spring. it did very well until the Japanese stilt grass caught me off guard late in the summer and pretty much killed the clover, or at least I think it did. when I kick the stilt grass out of the way it's nothing but bare ground underneath. Plot 4 is 1 acre and was in ptt and ghr last year.
I was thinking about planting everything in rr beans this spring so I can
control the weeds a little better Then seed ppt and ghr into the beans about mid July in two of the plots and clover with winter rye around September 1 in the other two.
So basically I'm starting all over, I just started plotting 3 years ago and have made a lot of mistakes, the lack of patience was the root of most of them. We do hunt over all the plots but very lightly, just my wife and kids.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The map is just to give a little idea of the layout, it's not exactly like that but close.
Farm is in SC PA

 

[Bill]

Beans in small plots might get wiped out pretty quick but you'll have weed free plots for your fall idea.

The clover field taken over by stilt grass may not be gone. I'd wait and see as clover will green up early if it's still there.
Stilt grass shades out everything but can easily be smoked with clethodim. It's a very week grass and dies quickly after spraying.

Clethodim and butyrac may also save the three year old clover plot. I have some clover patches over 8 years old and going strong. No need to mow clover before it flowers unless you're trying to fix nitrogen for fall brassica's. If you want continuos clover let it go to seed.

Just some thoughts to consider.

 

[j-bird]

I agree with Bill - unless you have lots of ag in the area, a way to protect the plots or real low deer numbers - small plots of beans will get hammered. Yes you can still plant come fall, but is it worth the time, cost and effort to feed deer a salad for a few weeks? Or you are going to have to plant a forage type soybean....which is fine. They make them in RR as well and that can help you fight your weeds. Just keep in mind - every time you turn the dirt your bringing up more weed seed to germinate. Fighting weeds in clover can be interesting. I have done several things. You can spray for the grasses or you can spray a light dose of gly in the heat of the summer when the clover does dormant and put a hurting on the other weeds as well. The clover tends to bounce back in the cooler fall temps. The main thing with weeds in clover is preventing them from producing seed by mowing and NOT mowing off the leaves of the clover plants. The canopy that the clover can create is a good thing when it comes to fighting weeds. Any plots you want for fall annuals I would consider planting an annual clover in the spring to hopefully provide some N for the fall crop - cereal grains and brassica will appreciate the N in the soil.

 

[Weed Wacker]

I agree with Bill - unless you have lots of ag in the area, a way to protect the plots or real low deer numbers - small plots of beans will get hammered. Yes you can still plant come fall, but is it worth the time, cost and effort to feed deer a salad for a few weeks? Or you are going to have to plant a forage type soybean....which is fine. They make them in RR as well and that can help you fight your weeds. Just keep in mind - every time you turn the dirt your bringing up more weed seed to germinate. Fighting weeds in clover can be interesting. I have done several things. You can spray for the grasses or you can spray a light dose of gly in the heat of the summer when the clover does dormant and put a hurting on the other weeds as well. The clover tends to bounce back in the cooler fall temps. The main thing with weeds in clover is preventing them from producing seed by mowing and NOT mowing off the leaves of the clover plants. The canopy that the clover can create is a good thing when it comes to fighting weeds. Any plots you want for fall annuals I would consider planting an annual clover in the spring to hopefully provide some N for the fall crop - cereal grains and brassica will appreciate the N in the soil.

What should i do with the annual clover when i am ready to plant the fall plots ? Gly and disk ? Or would Gly seed and mow work ?

 

[j-bird]

What should i do with the annual clover when i am ready to plant the fall plots ? Gly and disk ? Or would Gly seed and mow work ?

I would look into a throw and mow/spray sort of application if it was me. I am no expert on that method so I would suggest doing some digging into that topic and see if that is something that will work for you.