Useless Keeper Posted February 25, 2018 Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 Hi All I wondered if anyone has used beans as a cover crop, as my farmer friend says that they would last the season and also provide a source of food? My main concern would be that once the dogs and beaters have been through a couple of times, the crop would be flattened, but would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 25, 2018 Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 I think it would be useless after being walked through a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted February 25, 2018 Report Share Posted February 25, 2018 Mixed with some other lasting crop, yes it would supply feed but not much cover. A couple of yards round the outside of a block of maize maybe. Good thing is you could plough them in, no technical sowing required. Broadcast, then shallow plough four /five inches. Problem is you really need to get the seed in early, like now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old'un Posted February 26, 2018 Report Share Posted February 26, 2018 Cover crop no, be flat as a pancake after a couple of shoots, food source yes. as Walker570 says, sow on outside of cover crop, Maize/Kale. had to smile after reading your post and then your screen name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted February 26, 2018 Report Share Posted February 26, 2018 (edited) hello, another vote for Maize, loved by pheasants and blackies/ pidgeon, i know a few shoots that cut the crop down after the season and get some good shooting, Edited February 26, 2018 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The gouse Posted February 26, 2018 Report Share Posted February 26, 2018 1 hour ago, old'un said: Cover crop no, be flat as a pancake after a couple of shoots, food source yes. as Walker570 says, sow on outside of cover crop, Maize/Kale. had to smile after reading your post and then your screen name I’ve done a lot of research on this mate and it’s kale all the way with sunflowers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted February 27, 2018 Report Share Posted February 27, 2018 On 26/02/2018 at 19:18, The gouse said: I’ve done a lot of research on this mate and it’s kale all the way with sunflowers, What is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The gouse Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 43 minutes ago, motty said: What is? Kale must be the easiest cover crop to grow and add sunflowers for a bit of feed, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 8 hours ago, The gouse said: Kale must be the easiest cover crop to grow and add sunflowers for a bit of feed, I would disagree with that. To grow kale now you need to be equipped and able to spray for flea Beatle every 5 minutes. We used sorghum and millet last year, drilled into a dry, lumpy seed bed, threw some 20-10-10 on it a few weeks later and off it went up to 6-7ft high! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The gouse Posted February 28, 2018 Report Share Posted February 28, 2018 2 hours ago, kennett said: I would disagree with that. To grow kale now you need to be equipped and able to spray for flea Beatle every 5 minutes. We used sorghum and millet last year, drilled into a dry, lumpy seed bed, threw some 20-10-10 on it a few weeks later and off it went up to 6-7ft high! Buy treated seed it’s about £5kg more and you will not have to spray. we put 15 acres in for grazing for last two years never had to spray it. you do not need to drill it in just broadcast with fert at 2kg an acre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Useless Keeper Posted March 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2018 Thanks all - true to my name as pointed out by The Gouse, I'll mix all of the above and see what happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The gouse Posted March 4, 2018 Report Share Posted March 4, 2018 As pointed out by me all I said kale as got to be easiest crop to grow, idealy you need to get this in by the first week in June buy Brassica ole med treated kale seed it is treated for flea beatle. with mazie this is a bit more difficult you need muck more muck and then more muck. then you need to sub-soil to 600m deep then plough as deep as you can.never roll seed in spray when up around 4inch. i got 22.1 tons to the acre last year seed was drilled 29 April. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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