Switchgrass bedding experiment

[Wi transplant]

Well... not sure how this is gonna turn out but im trying some "diversity strips" in my switchgrass field . I took the sprayer with 12ft boom and sprayed "s" curvy strips in different areas of my approximately 12 acre field of 2nd yr big rock switchgrass. Toasted all in the "sprarse" areas in the switch and used my 6ft grain drill to drill in some of john komps northwoods whitetail forbes n forage blend into theses strips and then went back and added some staghorn sumac seeds into different areas of drill slits to see if the seed i collected off of a different part of farm will take off ? My plan is im letting this area go now that the switch is looking good in the 2nd yr. I have lots of small oaks growing around the edges and some out in other areas also . Just an experiment to see how my " ultimate bedding area" turns into a thicket im hoping ? Planning on possibly adding some cedars next spring also. Thoughts ? Foolish or will turn out great ? Only one way to find out!!!!

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[Wi transplant]

Just a pick of 2nd yr rc bigrock up against a newly planted miscanthus wall for entry exit .

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[Iowa]

I tried something similar to this but in a different order.
I did a direct seeding of oaks, plum, hazelnut, silky dogwood , highbush cranberry, arrow wood, ash, and boxelder.
I used a 7’rotary tiller to break up the old pasture in strips just like you described. I dodged all of the cedars and coralberry that were already there.
AFTER I did these direct seedings I sprayed the brome and frost seeded switch.
If I could do it over I would establish the switchgrass first.
All said and done I think it will work but yours will probably work even better.

 

[Wi transplant]

I tried something similar to this but in a different order.
I did a direct seeding of oaks, plum, hazelnut, silky dogwood , highbush cranberry, arrow wood, ash, and boxelder.
I used a 7’rotary tiller to break up the old pasture in strips just like you described. I dodged all of the cedars and coralberry that were already there.
AFTER I did these direct seedings I sprayed the brome and frost seeded switch.
If I could do it over I would establish the switchgrass first.
All said and done I think it will work but yours will probably work even better.

I have 2 pcs about 1/2 acre each that have grey dogwood, hazel nut, plums, and hybrid willows planted all over in side of electric fencing for a yr or 2 to get them established im hoping! (Brush pockets) trying to establish .

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[Bucksnbears]

I've never planted switch. Not enuff acres to so so.
Even if I did, I just can't embrace the planting of it for the purpose of bedding area.
Way better options in my opinion.

 

[Bassattackr]

Looking good. What grain drill is that?

 

[Wi transplant]

An old 12ft ih my buddy cut in half and made a 6ft out of it

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[DMarley83]

By the looks of what you're pulling it with you should have painted it green

 

[Wi transplant]

By the looks of what you're pulling it with you should have painted it green

Actually thats my buddies jd who built it! I pull it with a artic cat 700 diesel 4 wheeler! But thats dark green also!

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[Snail3496]

That will turn out fantastic. I'd encourage you to plant a few cedars or conifers in the strips as well.

 

[Bassattackr]

That will turn out fantastic. I'd encourage you to plant a few cedars or conifers in the strips as well.

Makes for fantastic cover, but you're somewhat stuck with mowing in lieu of burning to maintain that stand. Or perhaps get creative with your firebreaks