stubborn1VT

I picked up 275lbs of fertilizer on CL. It is a blend formulated for hemp, but I will use it on plots and fruit trees. $50. Should be all set for the year, unless I do new plot at the family farm. My brother and I cut a bunch of firewood out an area, so there should be enough sunlight. I'm going to check it out today, check cams and batteries and keep my eyes open for turkey birds.

Happy Birthday Biz! Hope the new state treats you well, and GO SOX!!!

Under a bobber? Super nice browns TC3!

I have never seen horse manure that wasn't loaded with weed seed. Something to consider.

Both Russia and Ukraine are big exporters of fertilizer components as well.

Gobblers beware! Hope you have a good trip Dan. As my buddy from Vermont's Northeast Kingdom says "Shoot 'em where the corn goes in!" (Not where the corn comes out.)

pH is probably the issue. As Gman suggested, frost seeding clover would be an easy improvement. I talked to a millionaire who has tried all manner of food plots. He has mostly gone to a mix of grasses and clover, because it is low maintenance. All he does is mow them 3x a year.

I wouldn't spend the money on that much fertilizer. The clover only need a tiny bit of nitrogen before it starts making its own. The chicory could use some nitrogen to start, but then it will get it from the clover. If you want to follow the recommendation, just get a couple 40lb bags of urea. I hate to think of what fertilizer is going to cost...

Not sure if I'm done or not. Had a couple OK days last week on bluegills and pumpkinseeds, but the shoreline is starting to break up. Not a great year for me. Seemed awfully windy most days. Looking forward to getting the boat out, but I may try to get out on the ice one or two more times. Usually I'd drive to some of the smaller lakes, but with the price of gas I hate to make the trip. Champlain is just across town for me, so I guess I'll stick with that.

Classic New England boiled ham dinner with lots of Cabot butter and cider vinegar. Raw milk and local cider to drink. Homemade mixed berry pie with vanilla ice cream for desert.

Finally got out on the ice yesterday afternoon. By the time I got some stuff done around the house the wind had picked up. It was blowing 17mph with gusts over 20. Hit a bay in the Champlain Islands and picked up a couple meals worth of pumkinseeds and bluegills. Not many fish around yet, but the ones that were there were nice. Looking forward to late season. There was over 20" of ice where I was, so we have a ways to go.

Not 27% growth, but I get what you're saying.

Thanks for the link. Facts like these fly in the face of the the common claim of "inflation". High profit margins are not inflation. All the major oil companies posted similar rises in profit, while many run their mouths about blaming the president for gas prices. SMH.

On oatmeal, ice cream, pancakes, waffles, in marinades, as a replacement for white/brown sugar in recipes etc.

It's mostly about the number of natural microbes in the sap and how long it takes to boil, but honestly nobody has a definitive answer.

1. I have used WI soil tests. They are quick and professional, if a bit pricey. One upside is their customer service. You can call them and they will answer ANY question. I will get any soil tests done now through the extension service, an ag or garden store. 2. Glyphosate is the easiest way to prep soil but not necessary. I have mowed and tore up the surface of the soil with anything from a rototiller to a box scraper to a chain drag. I have an acre planted at my house that I did with a tractor and tiller and zero Roundup. 3. You don't need special seed for deer, but WI products are top notch. They have spent decades developing their products and their customer service is great. I don't buy much from them because they are more expensive, but I have never been disappointed in what I have bought. 4. TS isn't a bad place to buy lime, but an ag/seed store is way better for fertilizer. I buy the bulk of my seed online. Deer Creek Seed, Outside Pride, Amazon and Hancock seed are all companies I have used. 5. A chain drag with some weight on it is the cheapest and most fool-proof. I pull a 4 foot chain harrow with my 4 wheeler and it's only a 400. A poly lawn roller is a good investment. For less than $200 it does the job of a cultipacker and helps with seed to soil contact. Lots of ways to get the job done. From the sounds of your soil I would recommend planting something forgiving like rye or wheat while you make soil amendments. I had compacted clay soil that I fixed with tillage radishes (diakon). Their long roots punch holes in the soil to allow air and water/ice in, while adding organic material. Good luck with the process. Have fun. If you have questions: ask away.

Nice looking trailer. I totally agree on the wood deck and I'm also sold on LED lights. Plenty of room for one of those giant bucks on your swamp property.

I think it's great as a soil builder and easy to grow. Deer don't usually need a summer food source. I believe it would be worth planting to build organic matter, along with rye. I usually just frost seed clover for the summer, but this year I plan to plant some buckwheat for the bees. Sounds like some challenging conditions to grow in, but buckwheat and rye will grow most anywhere.

Sounds like you're from grizzly territory.

Most would be lucky to only buy a pallet of lime. I sent a test to them for a possible woods plot and it came back with pH of 4.8. Even that little plot would have needed 1500 lbs. Congrats on your test results. That should put you way ahead of the game and make it possible to plant most anything.

It can't be broadcast IMO. It's too expensive. You can buy seed at co-op, online, from WI etc. It requires better soil conditions than most things you could plant. It is great feed for cows and deer, but not worth the extra cost and effort to me. I know deer like it, but I would choose clover over alfalfa 95% of the time. If you were plowing/tilling up existing farmland, then it might work fine. I'm not saying you shouldn't try it, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket.

-15 here in the "banana belt" of Vermont. Didn't feel as bad out as I expected.

My 1 acre plot is split into 10 separate strips!

I think you're on the right track. I would split each plot in half though. It would allow you to offer more diversity and the ability to rotate crops as needed. Half in clover or Fusion and half in a brassica blend with some cereal grains thrown in. Any of the WI brassica blends would work. Wintergreens is my personal favorite. It does matter what is available around you. Sounds like greens would be a good compliment to the crops around you. Good luck with the process. All you can do is ask questions and give it a whirl.

You're quoting a UN projection that doesn't include Covid data? How about actual numbers from a US source? 3.3+ million people died in the US in 2020. That's not a projection. It was the deadliest in our history genius. As reported by the CDC, AP news, Fox news etc.