Erosion control & soil prep

[LSmith]

Hey all,

I have ben reading other posts about land prep and clearing and I need some further info. We have an area of about 5 acres that lines up along a creek. This area was cleared by the previous owner and three large brush piles were stacked with a track loader and burned. The area now has large ruts left by the track loader and still lots of small logs & brush compacted into the soil by the loader. I have been somewhat successful in leveling the ruts with a boxblade and in getting up the larger logs in the dirt. I want to clear this plot and plant a ground cover to control erosion. I am thinking that I should first run over and level the area with the boxblade. Then run a rake over to get up the brush and sticks. Then disc the plot and plant a crop like clover or corn to help control erosion and add to the soil. Does this sound like a plan or is my thinking flawed? I don't want to do more than I have to, but I also don't want to do a halfway job either. Also I would have to buy the rake and disc so I want to be sure they would be useful. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

L Smith

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Sort of depends on a few things, like how steep the bank is, the direction the rust run paralell or perpindicular to the slope, what kind of ground cover you can get to grow there, and what will spring flooding conditions be.
If the ruts aren't going to lead to further erosion, I'd leqave them alone. You're already into your first growing season, and don't have a lot of time to mess with the preparation.
I'd minimize prep work and overplant the area with Crown Vetch or something similar, and let nature work for you.

 

[popeye]

I have the same problem on my land that has been clearcut and allowed to grow over. Had a bulldozer clear about 5 acres. I went back in and disced it thoroughly,planted grass mixed with wildlife food plot mixture (bundleflower,partridge pea,sunflower etc.) on one portion (not finished yet due to time constraints) then went over it with a drag. Area I planted is coming up nicely. On the steeper portions I will put some type of vetch also (haven't made up my mind which yet).
MIke
Mike