We've got two fields typically we have mowed with a bush hog, one 5 acres and the other 7 acres. Use to have it mowed for hay, but due to circumstances beyond our control, for the past 10 or so years, no hay has been produced. The fields have either been let go to seed or bush hogged. IMHO - the fields are now trash. Nothing really desirable to salvage.
I want to put my two teenage boys to work behind a square baler for the experience of it and let them make a few bucks in the process with Dad taking whatever hit to the wallet to get them going. Of course, Dad will be setting in the tractor seat...
So we are in late July. Just sent off soil samples to see what needs to be fixed. We are in the western VA mountains. What I'd like to do is begin reclaiming these fields for hay cutting next spring.
Question is - where to start and when. Do we have time to kill to dirt our existing fields, as required, lime and fertilize and reseed before frost sets-in later this fall. One field will be 100% Timothy and the other 100% Orchard grass. The target customer are horse owners.
Me and the boys are reading as much as possible, as well as talking to others, to be informed as possible ahead of time.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Bill
I want to put my two teenage boys to work behind a square baler for the experience of it and let them make a few bucks in the process with Dad taking whatever hit to the wallet to get them going. Of course, Dad will be setting in the tractor seat...
So we are in late July. Just sent off soil samples to see what needs to be fixed. We are in the western VA mountains. What I'd like to do is begin reclaiming these fields for hay cutting next spring.
Question is - where to start and when. Do we have time to kill to dirt our existing fields, as required, lime and fertilize and reseed before frost sets-in later this fall. One field will be 100% Timothy and the other 100% Orchard grass. The target customer are horse owners.
Me and the boys are reading as much as possible, as well as talking to others, to be informed as possible ahead of time.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Bill