Question on plowing in wooded clearing

NonTypicalCPA · Mar 30, 2008

I'm putting in a 2 acre food plot in the middle of my woods that I had clear cut then the stumps removed by an excavator. I am purchasing a two bottom plow to pull behind my 40hp kubota and am planning on turning over the plot and then disking. I assume there are still a lot of roots in the ground. Will the disk handle this type of work? (breaking through roots, etc) Or am I asking something of the disk that it wasn't made for?

Barneyhunts · Mar 30, 2008

Last year I plowed in an area that had some tree roots which my plow busted up as it pulled them out. I don't believe my disc (5 1/2' King Kutter) cut them up, but, the area disced up well, in spite of the roots, and after a lime application and some fertilizer the food plot of Brassicas and oats did well. If you pull up some very large ones you may have to move them out of your plot. Best wishes with your food plot!

john_bud · Mar 30, 2008

I would not get a 2 bottom plow. Get a 5-6' disk. Or even a rotary tiller.

Roots will rot. Rocks are a PITA!

jb

dixie306 · Mar 31, 2008

NonTypicalCPA said:
I'm putting in a 2 acre food plot in the middle of my woods that I had clear cut then the stumps removed by an excavator. I am purchasing a two bottom plow to pull behind my 40hp kubota and am planning on turning over the plot and then disking. I assume there are still a lot of roots in the ground. Will the disk handle this type of work? (breaking through roots, etc) Or am I asking something of the disk that it wasn't made for?

I'm about to do the same thing, I'm going to put on the all purpose plow first and pull up as many roots/rocks as I can with it, then put on the cutting harrows. I did this on a new plot last year and it worked well

Coyote · Mar 31, 2008

I do this exact thing a lot on my place. Skip the plow, it digs too deep. Use a box scrape with the rippers down to tear up the ground. It will bring up shallow roots. Then disk it up to smooth it out. Most seeds in food plot mixes are shallow roots, and should never be planted deeper than about 1" . Plus you are broadcasting, not making rows. Lime and fertilize and you should get a good plot. The first year will not be the best but year 2-3 it will be great!

dixie306 · Mar 31, 2008

Coyote said:
I do this exact thing a lot on my place. Skip the plow, it digs too deep. Use a box scrape with the rippers down to tear up the ground. It will bring up shallow roots. Then disk it up to smooth it out. Most seeds in food plot mixes are shallow roots, and should never be planted deeper than about 1" . Plus you are broadcasting, not making rows. Lime and fertilize and you should get a good plot. The first year will not be the best but year 2-3 it will be great!

That'll work for sure and so will green manuring on a new plot, try what coyote said and seed with buckwheat, it doesn't have real deep roots its a great soil builder and the honey bees will love you. I turn mine under in about six weeks and reseed with it. First time I tried it, I couldn't believe the difference it made in Ga red clay. I try to plant it three times before its time to put in what I want for my plots