June 3, 2010
This year is the year to turn over the south end of the pasture. The grass has never been good in this area. And before planting grass again we thought we would try dry beans. If successful, once the beans are harvested the remaining plant will be turned into the soil. Our hope is to increase the amount of organic material in the soil to better create an ecosystem for future bugs and root structure. The rain, though, has kept us out of the field until now.
The ground tried up enough get in with a springtooth. As teeth pulled up soil and grass, much of it rolled over leaving an inch and a half by six-inch clump with a smooth slick edge on the soil side. Perpendicular passes turned most of soil up at a depth of about six inches. However when the tractor tire passed over a clump of grass and soil that had been pulled up; the clump would mash out like a pancake under the tire rather that breaking apart. Today we’re to have a southwest wind at 6 to 8 miles per hour and a bit of sun. The wind and sun may dry out the soil out enough to work it ready for seed. However that depends a lot on whether or not we get the rain called for this evening and tomorrow.
© David B. Bell 2010
Chewing the Cud 