Sprucey Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Hi All. I'm a member of a DIY shoot and love the Keepering side of things! We plant blocks of Maize as cover but due to being quite exposed and high up this doesn't always succeed. The Maize has now been drilled. I would like to Broadcast something (Not sure what) over the top to grow with /through the Maize. So my question is...... What Seed would you recommend to Broadcast? And also the best, cheapest, easiest place to obtain from please Cheers All! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Won't the maize stifle whatever you under sow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucey Posted May 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 I'm not sure, Thats why I'm asking. The Maize was only drilled this week so my thinking is broadcast asap so it grows together? or just Broadcast around the Margins to act as windbreak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Whatever you broadcast it will have to be cultivated in. Surely that will disturb the maize seeds which may just be sprouting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The gouse Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Sow millet between rows of maize when maize is up. This is brilliant for the birds but you have to get your rake out and do by hand. Miss a row every two. Millet seed is cheap and easy to grow. For a windbreak use kale but make sure it’s treated for Flea-beetle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucey Posted May 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 I had thought about attaching a rake to my back end Not sure how (No suggestions please ) haha. Where would the best place to get seed from? as would like to pick some up next few days for the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Contact King's game cover they will also give you advise as to what you want to achieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 (edited) put a couple of drill lines of millet all around the edge...... if it is thicker at the ends and the edges it will encourage the birds to jump and fly rather than run out and fly as you push thro........ Edited May 30, 2019 by ditchman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucey Posted May 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 this is the problem, would need to be Hand Broadcast as Maize already in and we have had to Fence the gamecrop areas to save sheep and cattle eating the lot etc. so access is a bit restricted with tractor etc. Wondered if i could just scatter seed infront and drag a rake behind me. I understand this isn't the way to get the most out of the seed, but anything to aid the Maize will help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The gouse Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 1 hour ago, Sprucey said: this is the problem, would need to be Hand Broadcast as Maize already in and we have had to Fence the gamecrop areas to save sheep and cattle eating the lot etc. so access is a bit restricted with tractor etc. Wondered if i could just scatter seed infront and drag a rake behind me. I understand this isn't the way to get the most out of the seed, but anything to aid the Maize will help Any brassica seed is best broadcasted. The combines have broadcast sowers on them when they combined and sow the rape at the same time then they just roll in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 3 hours ago, Sprucey said: this is the problem, would need to be Hand Broadcast as Maize already in and we have had to Fence the gamecrop areas to save sheep and cattle eating the lot etc. so access is a bit restricted with tractor etc. Wondered if i could just scatter seed infront and drag a rake behind me. I understand this isn't the way to get the most out of the seed, but anything to aid the Maize will help You will have no problem hand sowing small seed as it will fall into the cracks, we found our mixed cover crop germinated better done by hand rather than drilled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucey Posted May 30, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Thanks B725. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B725 Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Your welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 You could broadcast utopia around the outside edge of the plot and rake it in, would act as a wind break and cut down the view birds have of guns etc, If you have long plots you could also do a couple of breeds across cover to stop so much run through and large flushes of birds, It is best to stick to the outsides as from experience broadcasting other seeds to compete, just creates competition and 2 weak plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jall25 Posted May 30, 2019 Report Share Posted May 30, 2019 Try Mustard Harder not to grow it than to actually grown it ! Wait till it rains and broadcast - comes up a treat ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 On 30/05/2019 at 10:43, ditchman said: put a couple of drill lines of millet all around the edge...... if it is thicker at the ends and the edges it will encourage the birds to jump and fly rather than run out and fly as you push thro........ 21 hours ago, Konnie said: You could broadcast utopia around the outside edge of the plot and rake it in, would act as a wind break and cut down the view birds have of guns etc, If you have long plots you could also do a couple of breeds across cover to stop so much run through and large flushes of birds, It is best to stick to the outsides as from experience broadcasting other seeds to compete, just creates competition and 2 weak plants. A couple of good ideas. IF your plot is permanent then think about a semi permanent mix to make a belt around the outside which will stay all year and you can put a couple of feeders there in the off season. Kings will advise on that idea. If you have the room then three or four good paces wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny tim Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 You can try a few rows around the edges but don’t do any more ,maize likes a clean seedbed and no competition best just have the maize in its own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clodhopper Posted May 31, 2019 Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 If you are planning on using any sprays on your maize I would be careful what you broadcast as the spray may well kill it. Best to speak to one of the seed specialist for advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted June 1, 2019 Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 As above, if you have to spray you will struggle to find sprays for weed control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucey Posted June 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 Well the deed its done. Broadcast around the margins and put a couple of strips through too... So just got to wait and see now. Will post some pictures if it comes good etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry_o Posted June 10, 2019 Report Share Posted June 10, 2019 Maize hates competition. I’d stick to just the outside to form a wind break in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenBhoy Posted June 13, 2019 Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 On 03/06/2019 at 09:42, Sprucey said: Well the deed its done. Broadcast around the margins and put a couple of strips through too... So just got to wait and see now. Will post some pictures if it comes good etc What did you go for? Just scattered by hand? Following with interest 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprucey Posted June 13, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2019 Hi BenNhoy, Yes just scattered by hand, I'm heading up Saturday (Been a fortnight since broadcast) to see it's progress if any. I'll report back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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