west central IL

[Davewp]

austrian peas, brassicas, sugar beets but no rain, remaining hopeful...

THIS AREA is just past food plot that dirt was not turned. I broad cast austrian peas, but then mowed grass down to as low as i possibly could. Peas not buried in dirt. but hoping that mowed grass covering offers moisture barrier.

 

[Davewp]

Added to the orchard today, the clapps pear was putting out nice root system. only one of the moonglow made it. and even then, poor root development, but hopeful.

Had hinge cut maple tree in spring. despite the surrounding properties in soybeans, the deer have created path to this tree and continue to browse. Hope pic does it justice

 

[Davewp]

First attempt at growing oaks from acorns. Really not planned, but opportunity was there. first pick is from DCO that was started on Oct 5th after acorn exchange (courtesy of this site), Of the 32, 2 are showing top growth, one discarded due to mold.
The next pic is of acorns collected, 2 varieties were from oaks in parking lots. Top left regal prince, a columnar oak (or so i'm told), pic of tree is very consistent. Bottom middle is White oak (parking lot at work). and the top right sole acorn is from a large Oak out on my property.
All were started in same manner as the DCO, but these had about 25 days in frig. all passed float test.
I went with large / deep bins due to the long tap roots that develop.

 

[Davewp]

Little late on updates. But here is spring/ may 2019. and then transplanting plants to outdoors Sep 2019. Plants were babied all summer and then an area in tall Canary grass was prepped for the planting. will see if i can minimize competition from grasses to give then a chance to take off.