GirlWhoWantsTractor
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2015
- Messages
- 948
- Location
- The Mountains of Virginia
- Tractor
- 2018 Mahindra 26XL HST, Husqv GT48XLsi & YTH48LS
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When we moved to Virginia the fields of our property hadn't been mowed for about 8 years. The weeds, trees, and briars were about 8ft tall and thick. I took the above photo right after bush hogging the one field. Fast forward five years with regular mowing, ( went from a bush hog, to a finish mower, and now use a zero turn ) and what I have is below. No lime or fertilizer or seed, yet...
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You're in my neck of the woods. And I have a "before and after" that looks pretty much the same. "Just regular mowing" or like the other poster said "chop and drop" works wonders. Adds humus to the soil, discourages weeds. Seen it, done it, many times, and it works. Maybe folks think it's too simple.
Check and adjust the pH of the soil to the grass you want to grow. The right pH can make a big difference.
True, but the cost of lime for even a few acres is considerable (to actually make a difference). And then you have to repeat every year or so. Improving the quality of soil IMO is always well worth doing, but just altering pH in most conditions creates only a temporary benefit. Longer term, you're talking about things like increasing humus (organic matter) and controlling runoff and drainage (so all the good stuff doesn't wash away).
What can I say, I love dirt.