Oats and winter rye

[BigGuyNY]

I tilled the plot and added peletized lime this weekend. I plan on planting oats and winter rye this coming week. Should I also add fertilizer? I was told by someone to add 13-13-13 after I seed. Thanks.

[growalot]

don't know what was in before you worked the plot...don't know what your nitrogen is but they like a good amount of nitrogen...if you tilled/disced in a lot of green vegetation...when that first starts to decay it alone uses up a lot of nitrogen in the process of decaying...13-13-13 won't hurt

[Gthphtm]

Just did a small plot in a wooded area cleared a little to let some light in 2 weeks ago, a good amount of lime and 15 -15 - 15 the WR is up about 4 inched already.

[wdswtr]

No one can answer that unless you had a soil test done.

[BigGuyNY]

Soil test - ph 6. All the other levels were low.

[wdswtr]

When you had the soil test done did they not supply a recomendation of fertilizer and lime requirements?

[Fantail]

Disclaimer; there are no garuntees to the accuracy of this post

I am not sure about the Oats but Winter rye will be fine with a ph of 6. I am under the impression that is the ph is higher and you put down 13-13-13 or what not then less is waisted. With lime down over time this will help the general soil condition. Those are annuals so at some point you'll need to churn it. I'm thinking over a few years granted a slow process but one way to get a better plot going. For now, it's not like your planting ph critical seed.

[wdswtr]

6 is a good start. Oats and rye will grow but you will get the most tonage of a ph level between 6.5 to 7.5. A couple things to keep in mind. Type of lime used and the time allowed to make an effect on the soil. I would suggest a second soil test in the spring to adjust for optimal soil conditions. A good pulverized ag lime versus your typical lawn or garden lime will have a much longer effect on ph levels. Typically it will takes several weeks to a few months for you to see the effect of ph levels after you lime. I just looked at an empty bag of forage oats and it says 200 lbs of 19-19-19 per half acre. Good luck and most of all have fun.