The Throw n’ Mow Method

[Freeburn]

Same question as to Wisco, what are you seeding rates for all forages, particularly for the rye.

My rye rate is ridiculous - 300lbs+/acre, everything else is about double the stated rate. I have turkeys that will practically live in my plots after top-seeding rye , so I can never seem to get enough down

 

[rtaylor]

So I've done an experiment on no till buckwheat. One field I sowed and bushhogged. Second field I sprayed then ran my box blade over to expose dirt and sowed. Last field I sprayed, sowed and bushhogged. We received zero rain for a week and a half after sowing but then have had rain about 5 days in a row. Nothing substantial but enough to keep the ground wet. All 3 fields have germinated but the box bladed field has the best germination. Not sure if the buckwheat will out compete the native grasses in the field that I didn't spray. Germination was good enough in the spray, sow, mow field that I am pretty sure I won't box blade again. I had several people tell me that buckwheat wouldn't work for this method because the seed is too big but so far it has been a success. I'll post pics in a couple of weeks.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

So I've done an experiment on no till buckwheat. One field I sowed and bushhogged. Second field I sprayed then ran my box blade over to expose dirt and sowed. Last field I sprayed, sowed and bushhogged. We received zero rain for a week and a half after sowing but then have had rain about 5 days in a row. Nothing substantial but enough to keep the ground wet. All 3 fields have germinated but the box bladed field has the best germination. Not sure if the buckwheat will out compete the native grasses in the field that I didn't spray. Germination was good enough in the spray, sow, mow field that I am pretty sure I won't box blade again. I had several people tell me that buckwheat wouldn't work for this method because the seed is too big but so far it has been a success. I'll post pics in a couple of weeks.

Don't worry about seed size. Thatch and rain is what is needed. I have successfully TNM sunflowers, peas, and beans without issue. Will be trying corn one of these years.

 

[Bowman]

My rye rate is ridiculous - 300lbs+/acre, everything else is about double the stated rate. I have turkeys that will practically live in my plots after top-seeding rye , so I can never seem to get enough down

Wow. I might have to re-evaluate. I have had the same problem with the turkey vacuum cleaners but have another problem. I must have some ten point chipmunks. One got into and removed, ate or stored 10# of buckwheat overnight. Some have even taken up residence in some of my fields. Have even seen them invading when broadcasting seed. Might explain some of my thin fields.

 

[trampledbyturtles]

Found that 100#/A is about the sweet spot for me.

Love the nesting cover it supplies.

Rye might be the most important forage component in my rotation.

Pic taken yesterday

 

[Catscratch]

Don't worry about seed size. Thatch and rain is what is needed. I have successfully TNM sunflowers, peas, and beans without issue. Will be trying corn one of these years.

Same! I keep being told big seeds don't work, then I TnM beans and pumpkins with success. I did corn once, it worked but something cleaned out the ears before the deer got to them so I haven't tried again. Thatch and rain baby!

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[TreeDaddy]

Found that 100#/A is about the sweet spot for me.

Love the nesting cover it supplies.

Rye might be the most important forage component in my rotation.

Pic taken yesterday

View attachment 35188

The mother sauce...........

bill

 

[BrushyPines]

Ended up doing a throw n mow summer plot. Didnt think I had enough thatch in some areas, but surprisingly it sprouted and the plot is looking good so far. I planted it 2 weeks ago and keep forgetting to take pics of the plot to post on this thread. Hopefully I'll remember to this weekend. Quick question, how long does it usually take the thatch to decompose?

 

[Wisco]

Plot looks good, Wisco. I can't completely answer your question, but I can share my experience. You obviously won't be able to feed deer with a plot that size, but you can definitely shoot one.

You have some decent biomass there with the maturing rye, but you can always use more. My plots are quite dry, so for me, the more thatch the better. If you are going to have some good moisture in the forecast, throw something into the rye that will grow quickly - buckwheat, oats, whatever works. Let that produce more biomass up until you plan to plant your fall food.

You won't be able to plant the LC Mix as he describes, but you can create an LC Smorgasbord.

You can spray or not. I've had better luck spraying first a few days prior. Throw your brassica seed and some clover. Mow and/or Roll, then walk away. For me this is in early July. At the end of summer, once the brassicas and clover are growing, top-seed the whole plot with cereal grains (oats & rye) and some more clover. You can also put down some fertilizer for the brassicas at the same time. For me this is the end of August or September long weekend. If you have clover that will overwinter where you are, make sure to include it. Remember, the grains and clover you add now will make up your biomass for next year - just like your plot right now. One thing I have learned is to NEVER skimp on the rye. Use more than you think you need, then add more.

I'm in Ontario, Canada, about an hour north of the NY border, so adjust your planting times to your location.

Good luck!

Freeburn - thanks so much for the response! I'll follow that plan and report back with results come this fall.

 

[Wisco]

When did you seed in the fall and what was your seeding rate for rye?

I planted about 133lbs per acre (100lbs on .75 acres) and planted on 9/5 about two days before rain.

 

[SwampCat]

Not even sure how much thatch matters. Pic is browntop millet coming up that was spread on bare, undisturbed ground. Peas and millet even growing in the back of my ranger. Been wet here. Hogs like wet ground, too

 

[SD51555]

Not even sure how much thatch matters. Pic is browntop millet coming up that was spread on bare, undisturbed ground. Peas and millet even growing in the back of my ranger. Been wet here. Hogs like wet ground, too

I've been throw and pray most of my life. Last year, at about year 18 of doing plot stuff, I packed my first seeding. You get pretty good at no-thatch broadcast germinating when your success depends on knowing what will and won't do well.

 

[Bowman]

I planted about 133lbs per acre (100lbs on .75 acres) and planted on 9/5 about two days before rain.

Thanks.

 

[ruskbucks]

Thanks.

Ok just gave this throw and mow method a shot. I seeded standing rye with brassicas, rolled it down with cultipacker, and sprayed it. Also spread 100# acre of urea. It is raining good on it a few hours later. I couldn't ask for better conditions( for once). I usually plant around July 4th, but I think the rye grain might of been mature by then and possibly could of reseeded.

 

[BrushyPines]

Got around to the property this weekend and took some photos of the throw n mow plot. This is 3 weeks worth of growth. Planted buckwheat, cowpeas and milo.

This section had the least amount of thatch, was very surprised to see that it sprouted as good as it did. These 2 sections had a lot more thatch and are looking a lot better than the previous section. Pics of the 2 fingers of the plot. A much needed rain should arrive later this evening. Hopefully it will make this food plot jump!

 

[Bassattackr]

BP - Looks great! Always wondered how the bigger seeds - cowpeas, etc do with that technique. That milo might be fairly thick in some areas!

 

[BrushyPines]

BP - Looks great! Always wondered how the bigger seeds - cowpeas, etc do with that technique. That milo might be fairly thick in some areas!

ATV spreader died on us, ended up having to use my earthway spreader and the ol' man spread the milo by hand. Evenly was not in his vocab that day!

 

[PatinPA]

Not 100% throw and mow. I ran the tiller over the top inch to break up the thatch a little. It had been a grass yard to my cabin previously and was pretty thick. Got a pretty good kill on it for the first spray too. Buckwheat is sprouting better than I thought it would.

 

[chiaj144]

I planted some buckwheat into last years rye. I cut the rye as low as I could, sprayed it then hand raked it. Through the buckwheat down and rolled it. The first pic is a week in and the second pic is 4 days after that with some decent rain. I did add some more buckwheat in one spot that was thin on top the hill. Hope to get this tall enough to no till into early August.

 

[Bowman]

I planted some buckwheat into last years rye. I cut the rye as low as I could, sprayed it then hand raked it. Through the buckwheat down and rolled it. The first pic is a week in and the second pic is 4 days after that with some decent rain. I did add some more buckwheat in one spot that was thin on top the hill. Hope to get this tall enough to no till into early August.

I have questions. First, I do not see much of the cut rye. Did you rake it off of the plot? Were there weeds in the rye? Buckwheat is looking good.