What should I use?

BlackThumbHomesteader · Jul 20, 2015

I'm finally able to start working on my back 10 acres of Canary grass, make that "grass". I hate to just mow it down and leave it to brown in the field so I was thinking about gathering it up and making a series of layered compost piles. I've got a bunch of leaves, neighbour's horse manure, and a steady supply of chicken bedding to add to it.

The question is; what implement would best suit my needs.

I don't have plans for that acreage for about 5 years(beyond putting in a coppice grove) so I'll be generating tons of clippings each year that will just give up those nutrients back to the reeds and I'd rather use it to fuel my garden soil.

old · Jul 20, 2015

Easiest way would be to bale it up that way it is easy to haul. Next best way would be to rake it up into a big windrow and then load it up

BlackThumbHomesteader · Jul 20, 2015

I'm only moving it a half mile at the most extreme corner of the property so I would probably opt to rake it. Using what type though? With first cut over there's a ton of rakes for sale or rent in this area but I've never used a single one so can't make the best judgement for my money.

old · Jul 20, 2015

Side delivery would be the best bet. Many different brands of them as well as price ranges. Or if you have 2 people an old dump rake could be used and some times you can find them dirt cheap since no on used them any more other then to park in the yard to look nice. I have one of those old dump rakes out back and it has been in the same place for at least 25 years now

tim52160 · Jul 20, 2015

Do you have to go on the road with the tractor ? If not then maybe a homemade buckrake for your tractor where you can just drive down the windrow and load it up . Then haul it to the compost piles.

tim52160 · Jul 20, 2015

Do you have to go on the road with the tractor ? If not then maybe a homemade buckrake for your tractor where you can just drive down the windrow and load it up . Then haul it to the compost piles.

Brendon Warren · Jul 20, 2015

I'd use a big.

Jim in Ma. · Jul 20, 2015

To compost it, Don't make a big pile. Make a long low row about 4 or 5 feet high with room all around it so you can turn it with the loader from time
to time. I get a lot of leaves, so I add a little lime sometimes.

Bruce from Can. · Jul 22, 2015

While I have no idea about you, and what type of equipment you have , or size of equipment,I will offer this.
I would run it through a forage harvester. This way it could be ,picked up from the ground with no prepration
after cutting. Also would be chopped fine to promote composting. The harvester will blow/load the cannary
grass into/onto a wagon or truck, what ever you have to haul with.Another opition would be a crop chopper,
that will cut the grass, chop it up and blow it directly in to a trailing wagon. Bruce

showcrop · Jul 22, 2015

Have you looked into getting a local farmer to work it? You should be able to work out a program that would be beneficial to you both.

What should I use?

BlackThumbHomesteader

Member

old

Well-known Member

BlackThumbHomesteader

Member

old

Well-known Member

tim52160

Member

tim52160

Member

Brendon Warren

Well-known Member

Jim in Ma.

Well-known Member

Bruce from Can.

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

Similar threads