Here's a pic of me after a day of cultivation.
(Click on any picture to make it bigger.)
The row cultivator behind the Deere 4020, taken about June 23rd. This is after the first pass with the cultivator.
The photos below were taken about a week later, after we'd received 1+" of rain and had temps in the 80's. The foxtail is very thick in about 15 acres. All in areas that are wetter than normal due to the drainage/topography of the land. I've been thinking about how to better control the foxtail. There isn't anything else I could do, mechanically. The corn will be ok, as it can outgrow the foxtail. In following years other crops won't be able to do that.
Most of the above pic shows how thick the foxtail gets. A little on the left rows shows what it looks like after my first pass through with the row cultivator.
The first pass with the cultivator really didn't bury much.
After the second pass through with the row cultivator most of the foxtail is gone, excepting in the row. There was so much residue from the foxtail I took out with the cultivator, the dirt wouldn't "flow" as it should and the cultivator would plug up fairly often. I'd get off the tractor and pull the big piles apart by hand, and then continue.
I'd say about 80% of the land is free of weeds. Foxtail, as well as canadian thistle, are the main culprits.
Today the corn is about chest high and is looking good. More on that in the next post.
Nice corn! Looks like a lot of work but it's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI am in Finland MN at Wolfe Ridge Environmental Center with the kids this week and will be driving right past your farm on Saturday afternoon on our way to Minneapolis. I'd love to stop by and say hello and see the homestead if you have any time to give.
my email if that's easier - junemoon15@gmail.com