2006 Planting ?s.

[Crowpole]

Around Labor Day 2005, (lateness due to various issues), I planted approximately 3/4 acre with Biologic Clover Plus, trefoil, chicory and winter wheat as a cover. Even with the lack fo rain the field came in very well. I plant to frost seed some ladino clover in early March/late Feb. My question is how to properly manage the "grass" which has also grown in. Obviously, I do not want to harm the clover etc but should I worry about the grass at all?
What are the time tables relative to spraying etc? When to do what?

I also planted a 1/2 acre field of brassica and Rye grain. The deer have hammered the brassica leaves. Have not as yet seen the actual turnips eaten but it's early. What is the earliest I can plant the brassica so it grows knee high but not have to worry so much about the adverse effect of another drout? Should I continue to use Rye as a cover or go with a straight brassica field? If so, how do I plant the Rye around Labor day when the brassica has been growing?

This stuff is fun.

[Brad Gehman]

Might work better to just plant them separate, 1/2 brassicas and then the other half of your field in rye or winter wheat.

Plant your brassicas in late July and you'll be ok. That will give them 60-90 days growth.

[Crowpole]

what do I do about all the grass in my clover/trefoil plot? Poast? Roundup? Do I wait until it grows then cut and then spray?

[old graybeard]

what do I do about all the grass in my clover/trefoil plot? Poast? Roundup? Do I wait until it grows then cut and then spray?

I have had my best luck using roundup weeks ahead of when I start tilling before planting. Then I keep the clover mowedtwo to three times during the summer, like haying, and that seems to keep the grasses somewhat in controll. I too would like to know if there is more that can be done?

[Taxidermist]

Poast will kill the grasses and not harm the clover.

[Brad Gehman]

Crowpole, I believe you are from PA, right? Well, I have plots in Potter County. I've used Poast Plus on them, but the best thing I found was Ed Spinnazola's Roundup treatment. But that can only be used on plots that are at least 2 years old.

Mowing will keep some of the grass at bay, and if you time the use of Poast, it will help. Poast really does well when the grass is less than 6 inches tall.

BTW, I have mixed rye and brassicas in the same plot, with some success, but I think its better to keep them separate.

[Crowpole]

I'll have to wait another year to use Ed Spin's herbicide.

I'll try poast on the grass in my clover. My ground is in Perry County (Central PA). Do you suggest I wait for the grass to start growing, cut it then apply the poast? Will that be late April early May? Last Fall the clover was coming in nice but there's certainly a good bit of grass visible.

I may just use Brassica in my second field. It should probably come in better without the rye I used as a cover. For maxium brassica growth, what month do you suggest planting it?

Thanks!

[Brad Gehman]

Crowpole, I'd hit it early in the spring when its less than 6 inches tall and before you mow. A second treatment later might not be a bad idea.

Give 60-90 days of growth for the brassicas before a frost. 1st of August or a bit before wouldn't hurt. And again, it depends on rainfall at that time of year.