Would like to have input from the pasture gurus on this idea I'm considering.
Approx 22 acres of ground that was cleared this past winter. Too much root/branch debris left to drill in seed this past spring, so I broadcast spread some perennial rye and Ky31 as cover..hoping for best, but not expecting much. Solid 7 weeks of rain from end of May until mid July made it impossible to spray or do anything with. Weeds thrived after disturbing seeded during clearing. Grass seed caught some sporadically...but virtually all weeds. Had some cows over there for past 3 weeks grubbing up any edibles. Soil samples are back. Going to lime to recommendations. Here comes the hairbrain scheme part...
Still too much surface debris to drill or run planter comfortably...so I'm thinking of broadcast spreading some more KY31, then come in and mow the whole thing with a flail mower (does a nice job of creating a fine mulch and minimal windrows) and hoping debris from mowing provides a good seed cover. And hoping maybe the Ky31 will get a nice start thus fall. Then come back in spring and spray hard for weeds. Am I just wasting time and money, or does this sound like it could work?
Note my original plan was to roundup the whole thing and drill in seed before Sept 10. More debris near surface than I cared for, so I'm scratching that.
Approx 22 acres of ground that was cleared this past winter. Too much root/branch debris left to drill in seed this past spring, so I broadcast spread some perennial rye and Ky31 as cover..hoping for best, but not expecting much. Solid 7 weeks of rain from end of May until mid July made it impossible to spray or do anything with. Weeds thrived after disturbing seeded during clearing. Grass seed caught some sporadically...but virtually all weeds. Had some cows over there for past 3 weeks grubbing up any edibles. Soil samples are back. Going to lime to recommendations. Here comes the hairbrain scheme part...
Still too much surface debris to drill or run planter comfortably...so I'm thinking of broadcast spreading some more KY31, then come in and mow the whole thing with a flail mower (does a nice job of creating a fine mulch and minimal windrows) and hoping debris from mowing provides a good seed cover. And hoping maybe the Ky31 will get a nice start thus fall. Then come back in spring and spray hard for weeds. Am I just wasting time and money, or does this sound like it could work?
Note my original plan was to roundup the whole thing and drill in seed before Sept 10. More debris near surface than I cared for, so I'm scratching that.