check planting

I don't plan to spray, so weeds do matter. Will accept the ideas about closer spacing and planting a smaller crop. Might even scrap the whole idea - might not. The balance of the field (25 acres) I'm converting from row crops to pasture. The last time this field was tilled by family, was by my Great Grandfather in the 60's - with horses. It's been rented out and run down since. I'm working on trying to bring the soil back with lime, manure and turning it into pasture that will be mostly just hogged off for a couple years. This 1-2 acre corn patch is just play. Having grown cucumbers as a kid, I can still remember just how big 2 acres is when hoeing - way too big for an army of 1. Staying ahead of them picking was impossible. Made a little money, but learned more!

I've ordered the 4 hour dvd from the carb place. Won't the misses just be thrilled to see how they did it back then!

Again, I appreciate the input - especially from those who have been there and done it. Pop's been gone for a few years now, and I miss those talks about "the how's and why's of how it was done" when he was a kid on the farm.

Scott

Harrow the corn as it is breaking out of the ground. This kills weed srpouts, won't harm the corn.

Cutivate every week, if you see weeds you are kinda too late, they will survive the cultivator enough when bigger to over-run the corn.

As a hobby with a regular job, that is not an easy thing to do around the rain & other commitments.

Getting a good plant population is very difficult with check corn - we want close to double the plants per acre these days.

Turns out the corn doesn't grow as well clumped together as when spaced singly.

And, it can be a real challenge to get the checked corn through a combine or picker with today's tough stalks. Easier to feed spaced stalks through.

I'm not trying to stop you; just mentioning the reality of it so you know what you are getting into. :)

--->Paul