Which type of ground cover to use?

fishheadbob · Apr 23, 2015

Red clover maybe with some oats. Clover will add some nitrogen which your corn will appreciate someday. Oats will sprout and grow quickly, but if left unmowed will leave some oat kernels to germinate next year. Or buckwheat, which does a good job of smothering weeds but is loved by deer.

ishiboo · Apr 23, 2015

Thanks all. I spoke with a local agronomist at the coop who agreed with everything suggested. I am going to do 50 lbs of clover, 6-7 lbs of Timothy and a bushel of oats per acre.

As soon as I can disc I will do so and get this in, he said the cooler the better.

mx1alex · Apr 23, 2015

What kind of clover? 50lbs/A is very high regardless of the clover type.

vtsnowedin · Apr 23, 2015

mx1alex said:
What kind of clover? 50lbs/A is very high regardless of the clover type.

Yes, the seed catalog I have in hand recommends 15 to 20 lbs / acre and with the oats and timothy you might cut it back to 10.

ishiboo · Apr 23, 2015

Sorry guys. It's a total of 50 lbs of red clover, 7 lbs of Timothy. Total.

Then add a bushel of oats per acre

I am seeding somewhat heavy due to broadcast, but not that heavy.

vtsnowedin · Apr 23, 2015

Well good luck with it. We will want to see pictures of how it comes out.

HCJtractor · Apr 24, 2015

I just planted a similar area. I cut in a new road and placed a culvert making a new creek crossing. I wanted something to take root to stabilize the soil. I planted brown top millet and ladino clover. Threw in some clay peas that I had left over. Guess time will tell how this works!