HDRider
Well-known member
This farm has been pasture for almost 70 years. I am sure it has seen better days.
The ridge I live on is capped by a deep layer of wind-deposited (loessial) soils, a fine-grained soil created millions of years ago as glaciers moved across the continent. Extensive areas, including the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and Crowley's Ridge, were covered by windblown soil. Rivers and streams that continued to meander across the plain washed away the loessial material. On Crowley's Ridge, however, the loess continued to collect, up to fifty feet in depth in some locations. Since loess is very easily eroded, steep slopes and deep valleys characterize much of Crowley's Ridge.
While I was away I let my neighbor hay it just to keep it mowed.
Broom sedge got real bad.
I have two main areas. One I fertilize, not heavy, but maybe 200 pounds of triple 19, twice a year. Much less than the soil sample called for. Broom sedge is 90 percent gone on this area.
The other side I have not fertilized. It still has some broom sedge, but maybe down 70 percent from its worst.
Both sides have been limed well. I have the ph at 6 in most places, close to 6 in others. That is good for here. I put money into lime.
I have pretty good stand of Fescue, and Bermuda. Good white clover. That is both sides.
I mow twice a year for weed control.
This is a weedy area. I guess a sign of low fertility. Seems like different weeds proliferate each year. Last year was woolly crouton, and another plant no one could id. Perilla mint hit hard this year, especially at the edge of the woods. Also some fleshy plant with little pink flowers. I need to figure out what it is. I only spot spray, mostly on thistles.
I have seen my first evidence of dung beetles this year. Some, but not everywhere.
I am kind of doing an experiment. One side letting time heal it. The other side trying science on an affordable scale.
My question is, will the land ever be much? Will it heal itself with care?
The ridge I live on is capped by a deep layer of wind-deposited (loessial) soils, a fine-grained soil created millions of years ago as glaciers moved across the continent. Extensive areas, including the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and Crowley's Ridge, were covered by windblown soil. Rivers and streams that continued to meander across the plain washed away the loessial material. On Crowley's Ridge, however, the loess continued to collect, up to fifty feet in depth in some locations. Since loess is very easily eroded, steep slopes and deep valleys characterize much of Crowley's Ridge.
While I was away I let my neighbor hay it just to keep it mowed.
Broom sedge got real bad.
I have two main areas. One I fertilize, not heavy, but maybe 200 pounds of triple 19, twice a year. Much less than the soil sample called for. Broom sedge is 90 percent gone on this area.
The other side I have not fertilized. It still has some broom sedge, but maybe down 70 percent from its worst.
Both sides have been limed well. I have the ph at 6 in most places, close to 6 in others. That is good for here. I put money into lime.
I have pretty good stand of Fescue, and Bermuda. Good white clover. That is both sides.
I mow twice a year for weed control.
This is a weedy area. I guess a sign of low fertility. Seems like different weeds proliferate each year. Last year was woolly crouton, and another plant no one could id. Perilla mint hit hard this year, especially at the edge of the woods. Also some fleshy plant with little pink flowers. I need to figure out what it is. I only spot spray, mostly on thistles.
I have seen my first evidence of dung beetles this year. Some, but not everywhere.
I am kind of doing an experiment. One side letting time heal it. The other side trying science on an affordable scale.
My question is, will the land ever be much? Will it heal itself with care?
