Buckwheat and yellow clover

[jcummins]

Earlier in the year, I rototilled up about an acre plot, and broadcast both buckwheat and yellow clover as a food plot for bees.

I've never been very successful in growing anything, and this seems to be no exception. The buckwheat did come up, it was thin, and got maybe 6" tall and that was it. The yellow clover, didn't even see much of it come up at all. I did a simple broadcast and then drug a chained link fence back and forth across it, thinking this would be enough to work it in. My understanding is you don't want it very deep.

Some one educate me on how I can do it better.

 

[jeff9366]

Buckwheat is about the strongest germinating seed there is.

Was the soil moist when you seeded? Was the soil CONTINUALLY moist until the newly germinated seeds/plants were up 2"?

Less likely, but possible, your soil is either very acid or very base and low in organic matter and the two seeds demand less extreme pH soil.

 

[jcummins]

Timing of the rains after I planted was poor. Perhaps that's the major reason. I just want to be sure I wasn't screwing this up. I will try again.

 

[jeff9366]

Clover is a very small seed.

Next year take one section and sow the Buckwheat and Clover without dragging afterwards. Buckwheat, in my experience in Maryland and Florida, will always germinate if kept moist. Very small seeds almost always need some light to germinate. If covered, they will not germinate.

A Cultipacker is a specialty implement for rolling in seed without covering. Ridges provide a moisture reservoir for at least half the seeds.

The germination of many medium and large size seed is improved by dragging as you did.

Photos: Everytfhingattachments.com Cultipacker.


LINKS: improve germination yellow clover - Google Search

 

[jcummins]

Clover is a very small seed.

Next year take one section and sew the Buckwheat and Clover without dragging. Buckwheat, in my experience in Maryland and Florida, will always germinate if kept moist. Very small seeds almost always need some light to germinate. If covered, they will not germinate.

As you likely know, a Cultipacker is a specialty implement for rolling in seed without covering it. Ridges provide a moisture reservoir to at least half the seeds.

Photos: Everytfhingattachments.com Cultipacker.

Yes...don't have one. It did not occur to me that I perhaps covered them too much.

 

[jeff9366]

A soil test is pretty cheap. Tell the testing service you want to grow Yellow Clover and Buckwheat. They will inform you of soil pH and any nutrient deficiencies, relative to Yellow Clover and Buckwheat.

"Broadcast seeding for pure sweetclover stands works in higher rainfall areas in early spring where soil moisture is adequate for seven to 10 days after planting."

Here is another good LINK: http://www.mccc.msu.edu/documents/managingccprof/ManagingCoverCropsProfitably_sweetclovers.pdf

 

[Egon]

A soil test is pretty cheap. Tell the testing service you want to grow Yellow Clover and Buckwheat. They will inform you of soil pH and any nutrient deficiencies, relative to Yellow Clover and Buckwheat.

"Broadcast seeding for pure sweetclover stands works in higher rainfall areas in early spring where soil moisture is adequate for seven to 10 days after planting."


Here is another good LINK: http://www.mccc.msu.edu/documents/managingccprof/ManagingCoverCropsProfitably_sweetclovers.pdf

Yes. First thing to do.

fresh turned sod isn't the best for planting in.

 

[jcummins]

Thinking back about this, I think the by far biggest problem is lack of moisture at the right time.....AND....I covered up the seeds way to much.

From reading about a cultipacker....I'm going to be on the lookout for one, but bet they are going to be hard to find at a reasonable price.

 

[jeff9366]

No bargain Cultipackers on eBay presently: cultipacker in Heavy Equipment Attachments | eBay


"The biggest problem by far is lack of moisture at the right time."

The mournful refrain of agriculturalists for 7,000 years.

 

[Buty]

I agree about the moisture levels. Timing is everything with buckwheat. You need a good supply of rain at the right moments. What time of year did you plant it? How long did it take to flower?