Robbo123 Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Hi, Last year we grew a plot of maize on an fairly exposed part of the farm. By this time last year, it had all gone flat after a few nasty storms. We just used a normal seed drill, blocking some of the coulters, but I think it was still drilled at about 25-30 cm. We have grown some Utopia this year which has been brilliant, still standing and is providing really good cover. However, it is a total nightmare to establish with Flee beetle, pigeons, rabbits, pheasants, partridge etc... having a nibble, so the preferred option is growing maize. Does anyone have any tips on how to avoid flat maize? Wider drill width? Varieties which are more hardy and wont go flat in strong winds? Drill depth? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Nothing to do with drill width/depth. Once maize has died (after a frost) it starts to rot and the stems can only hold up to so much wind/snow etc. Also if it is a good crop with plenty of cob it is very top heavy. Try a dwarf variety or use something like sorghum of millet mixes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Use a good supplier for your seed, buy a mixed variety, and we drill 50% extra seed per plot, As said before you will not stop the forces of nature, Utopia is a good choice see at the end of the season what it has held and how it has performed, as a holding crop. Put extra utopia seed down to compensate for pest loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 we use a fairly close drill width ,plenty of fertiliser to try and get a good height aiming for 6 ft being close together if there is a bit of a storm it will collapse onto each other forming a canopy we get good results up to Christmas after that the birds are in the woods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Neal Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 (edited) We used a really good 2-year mix on parts of our various covers this year. Lots of kale, some linseed and plenty of quinoa plus a few other bits & bobs in it I think. One small cover was a complete failure really, only a tiny patch of kale survived other than the linseed. Partly soil quality & water, partly pests were to blame I think. But the other areas it was drilled in it thrived - eventually! It was a bit worrying as it wasn't looking much by August, but it seemed to grow up quite quickly as the season approached. Arguably not soon enough really as it was slow with one cover in particular to get the birds up there. But that aside, it's been a good investment, certainly better than the similar disappointments to yours we've had with maize in previous years, and this one won't need anything doing with it for next season which is a bonus. Another suggestion, if you're still ringing the changes trying to find what works, try splitting your cover into two sections. Plant the "back" (the section you beat through first) with your experimental crop and plant the front with artichokes. Artichokes are not the perfect cover crop by any means but at least you know what you're going to get from them, which is at least some decent overhead cover for a couple of months rather than a completely useless game cover, lost for the entire season. Get the artichokes scuffled up really hard in the spring, gone over a couple of times, and furrowed up into ridges. There's nothing wrong with adding maize into one of those kale/quinoa mixes I suppose. You need to decide what you want it for, food or cover, so if it all falls over and there's still cover from the other stuff you're laughing Edited December 6, 2016 by Jim Neal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 I would drill closer together as suggested above. It will then lodge. Artichokes also provide a weather proof surround and if your land owner allows them, then plant them about 4 to 5 ft wide around the edge of your game cover as a wind break. Definitely plough or seriously scuffle them up at the end of the season and pick off what are thrown on top. Believe me there will be plenty left for next season, that is why some farmers don't like you planting them as they are hell to get rid of. I am not for ridging them up as I think it tends to let birds run up the ridges to the end of the cover before flushing, but there again that is maybe what your drive needs. Play it by ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catamong Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 Apologies for the dumb question that I probably know the answer to, but I've noticed that whole cobs have been removed from our maize cover strip and carried into the adjoining spinney, one fell out of a tree alongside me as I was topping up the feeders at the weekend.. Am I right in thinking that this can only be the work of squirrels..? Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted December 7, 2016 Report Share Posted December 7, 2016 Mostly yes, but rats and badgers will carry them off as well. To see a grey squirrel carry a whole ear/con of maize makes you realise just how strong these tree rats are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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