Clearing/prepping/planting 2 acres for pasture: Here is my plan, but need some advice

[nsfab]

We are planning on having our two horses on roughly 4 acres of pasture with half of it already established Bermuda. I need to clear 2 acres of 2"-6" trees with some larger trees coming out as well. Once cleared, I am planning on planting a Bermuda/oats mix once soil temps come up here in Georgia, which will be around mid may. Here is my plan of attack and here is where I need the help:

I can start clearing in the next week or so, which will be about a 2 day job from my friend bringing a large excavator out, his skid steer, and his 3 man crew. With not being able to plant until may, should I wait on the clearing? My concern is with having to wait until may to plant and having erosion issues in the meantime due to the gentle slope of the land. Or do I want to begin working the soil now and fertilizing it? I will be doing soil tests prior to planting and fertilizing appropriately.

My next issues are the process of soil prep. My friend said he would donsome rough prep with his skid steer but uktimately the soil prepnis up to me. I have a 640 but no implements other than a bush hog now and I have gotten the go ahead to spend some money, but not a ton. I was thinking a set of harrows, around 16 discs or so, and then something like a rake or pulverizer for final grading. Would those two tools be sufficient? And with regards to harrows, do I want a smooth disc or a notched disc?

Lastly, in terms of the timing of soil prep and seeding, I was planning on discing, fertilizing, discing again, then letting it set for a week. Then pulverizing, then planting, then pulverizing/raking again. Is that about right?

Thanks for your help guys.

-Greg

 

[Looking4new]

I would get the notched disks.

 

[MarkV]

Sounds like a pretty good plan. I would go ahead and do the clearing. I think it will take a good bit of time to remove roots, rocks and such as you work the ground. You will also have some waiting time for things to dry enough to work and it will do that better exposed to the sun. Here in N. Georgia it is way to wet to work the soil yet. I would also get the soil tests sent in. It takes some time to get the reports. I don't know the soil in your area but up here it is a sure bet the soil will be acidic and need a good bit of lime...like tons per acre. Good luck with the project.

MarkV

 

[gwdixon]

I'm guessing that this is what you want the results to look like. See photo below.

This land was simply cleared of a few trees, disced, dragged, and then rolled with a cultipacker.

Since you have a portion of the land already planted in Bermuda it would seem reasonable that Bermuda would grow fine without going through a lot of chemical prep and alterations.

I'd recommend clearing the land ASAP. That will allow the remaining tree roots to start to decompose. Erosion will not likely be a large factor since the excavator will sufficiently work the ground so most of the rainwater will soak in or puddle in the worked areas. The tracks will chew up the ground enough to make discing later somewhat easier.

Notched disc blades work well in turf or compacted ground since the implement's weight is concentrated on a smaller area of the blade. Smooth discs do a better job of turning the soil in my opinion. From what you describe, the disc will only be used for this prep and then the land will then be permanent pasture. You can re-sell the disc so don't skimp too much on the price.

The land will need to be dragged smooth. Lots of way to do this on the cheap. A piece of chainlink fence and something to weigh it down (like pallets wired on) is the most simple. Lots of threads here on TBN about the process.

After laying down the seed a cultipacker will do the seed prep job in one, or maybe two, passes. Once again, a cultipacker can be re-sold for what you paid for it.

 

[gwdixon]

Addendum:

>A landscape rake is not really the best for your application. It sounds good but doesn't work as well as imagined.

>A drag offset disc rather than a tandem disc (both shown in photos) will do a smoother job.

>A small landplane is also shown but from your description the land is fairly well flattened. A simple drag should work.

More photos of implements:

 

[nsfab]

Wow, Thanks for all the input guys. I have left a message for my friend who will be doing the clearing to call me so we can schedule a time to start the work. Heading out to the barn now to get the 640 ready for doing work!

 

[jeff9366]

Here is my Opus on Disc Harrows, Version II. Soon it will get a minor revision and become IIB.

I hope information helps.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/296476-considerations-disc-harrow-selection-18-a.html

Anytime clearing, raking and minor grading is inquired about here I recommend a Ratchet Rake.

If you are concerned about potential erosion plant as soon as the soil is moist 3-4 days of rain are in the forecast within a week.

In regards to prep: Do not go over your land more repetitions than necessary with tractor and implements. You will be compacting the Georgia clay beneath the area you work with each pass, which will be to the long term detriment of soil quality. If you compact the subsoil and horses compact the topsoil, soon you will have a BRICK.

Ratchet Rake, LLC - Rip and Dig, All Terrain Rake, Snow Edge, Tractor attachment, Bucket attachment, Loader, Skid loader, Kubota, Skid steer, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction atta

 

[MarkV]

Here is my Opus on Disc Harrows, Version II. Soon it will get a minor revision and become IIB.

I hope information helps.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/296476-considerations-disc-harrow-selection-18-a.html

Anytime clearing, raking and minor grading is inquired about here I recommend a Ratchet Rake.

If you are concerned about potential erosion plant as soon as the soil is moist 3-4 days of rain are in the forecast within a week.

In regards to prep: Do not go over your land more repetitions than necessary with tractor and implements. You will be compacting the Georgia clay beneath the area you work with each pass, which will be to the long term detriment of soil quality. If you compact the subsoil and horses compact the topsoil, soon you will have a BRICK.

Ratchet Rake, LLC - Rip and Dig, All Terrain Rake, Snow Edge, Tractor attachment, Bucket attachment, Loader, Skid loader, Kubota, Skid steer, Landscape rake, Brush remover, York Rake, Harley Rake, Rock Rake, Tractor rake attachment, Construction atta

Jeff, I don't believe nsfab has a loader so the ratchet rake isn't going to help.

 

[nsfab]

Thanks again guys. Looks like with everyones help, I now have a plan.

 

[flusher]

Once you get the stumps and lateral surface roots removed, I'd go with a small offset disc and a home drag. Here's what I use for my 6 acre hayfield.



The disc is an old 6.5 ft wide Towner offset that a neighbor gave me. I cleaned it up and replaced a few of the pans that were worn. The drag is just a few old wheels that I got free from another neighbor. Just chained them together and hitched it to the disc. The white things on the disc are 120 lb concrete weights to help the disc work better.

Good luck