Citrus Growers Forum

Millet · Posted: Tue 10 Jul, 2012 11:27 pm

Dauaben, one year I planted yellow clover as a green manure crop. When it grew to 3 feet tall, it was plowed under. Yellow clover being a legume, it added both a little nitrogen, and organic matter to the soil.

Of course, the problem, was that it took that area out of production for that year. The following year Hard Red Winter Wheat was planted in the area where the clover had been planted the year before. Regrettably, there was no production increase between the wheat crop in the clover land area, and the non clover land. Due to the loss of production, the cost of planting clover, and the fact that there was no increase, I have never planted a green crop since.

To be fair, plowing under a green manure crop for just one year, probably was to short of an experiment. However, one cannot lose production and expect to stay in business.

One last note: this year's wheat crop was harvested one week ago, and the price sold at harvest was $7.05 per bushel. For wheat $7.05 is a very good price. - Millet (193 BO-)

dauben · Posted: Wed 11 Jul, 2012 12:41 am

Millet wrote:

Dauaben, one year I planted yellow clover as a green manure crop. When it grew to 3 feet tall, it was plowed under. Yellow clover being a legume, it added both a little nitrogen, and organic matter to the soil.

I'm not sure it had done much for me. I ended up fertilizing with nitrogen anyway and didn't see much improvement until I did. As far as cover crops go, I'm finding that the ones I planted for weed competition did a much better job than those that I planted for nitrogen fixation or for my poultry to feed on. The chickens ignored my poultry blend and prefered scavaging for bugs in the leaf litter under my citrus trees.

Phillip

Millet · Posted: Wed 11 Jul, 2012 1:03 am

I also have a couple acres of grapes, mostly wine grapes, but also some table grapes. I think I might plant Crimson Clover in the middles. This year the middles are planted into watermelons and cantaloupes. The melons aren't for sale, but are for my families use, and also for all the workers and their families. In the past I have planted rye grass in the middles, and mowed the grass throughout the summer. In the fall it was plowed under. I can't say the rye did much, but it did keep down the weeds. I know of a wine grape grower, that plants wild flowers in between rows. This attracts tourists, and of course it looks really awesome. - Millet

dauben · Posted: Wed 11 Jul, 2012 1:34 am

Millet wrote:

I also have a couple acres of grapes, mostly wine grapes, but also some table grapes. I think I might plant Crimson Clover in the middles. This year the middles are planted into watermelons and cantaloupes. The melons aren't for sale, but are for my families use, and also for all the workers and their families. In the past I have planted rye grass in the middles, and mowed the grass throughout the summer. In the fall it was plowed under. I can't say the rye did much, but it did keep down the weeds. I know of a wine grape grower, that plants wild flowers in between rows. This attracts tourists, and of course it looks really awesome. - Millet

Yea, an annual rye is what I used this year and I didn't have any weeds where there used to be a ton. It was relatively cheap also so I think I might try it in other areas. I just wish I had a tractor to disc with. My Ditch Witch does a great job digging trenches, but there's no way to hook up a disc.

Phillip

Darkman · Posted: Fri 13 Jul, 2012 5:23 am

dauben wrote:

The chickens ignored my poultry blend and prefered scavaging for bugs in the leaf litter under my citrus trees.
Phillip

I really need some chickens or Guineas! Do they not bother low hanging fruit?

Laaz wrote:

Someone forgot to tell me. I've been using it for years. Laughing

Ditto for me. I guess every since they put it on the market. Not every day but several times yearly.

I don't think it really last that long in the enviroment.

Doesn't seem to be any non-foilaged areas in Vietnam.

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Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

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dauben · Posted: Fri 13 Jul, 2012 4:44 pm

Darkman wrote:

dauben wrote:

The chickens ignored my poultry blend and prefered scavaging for bugs in the leaf litter under my citrus trees.
Phillip

I really need some chickens or Guineas! Do they not bother low hanging fruit?

Neither seem to bother the fruit at all. The chickens seem to scratch more than my guineas which is fine with me since they find the hiding earwigs that my guineas might have missed. The guineas are more self sufficient though and I don't supplement their food at all like I do with the chickens. The downside is if you're looking for eggs, you have to go hunting for guinea eggs where chickens will lay in the nesting boxes.

Darkman · Posted: Sat 14 Jul, 2012 6:36 pm

Dauben,

Thanks! Good information. I have a friend who will start me with some basic chickens that are layers so that is where I will start probably next spring. Still need to build coop and things.

_________________
Charles in Pensacola

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

dauben · Posted: Sat 14 Jul, 2012 11:04 pm

Darkman wrote:

Dauben,

Thanks! Good information. I have a friend who will start me with some basic chickens that are layers so that is where I will start probably next spring. Still need to build coop and things.

Good luck!! I've found that my guineas and chickens complement eachother in the bug eating compartment. The chickens tend to stay close to home and work on the bugs around trees near the house. The guineas are more adventurous and mosey around the entire 5 acres and the rest of my groves. They even go to my neighbors house. They also seem to work well at keeping rattlesnakes at bay.

Phillip

Darkman · Posted: Sun 15 Jul, 2012 3:51 am

dauben wrote:

Good luck!! I've found that my guineas and chickens complement eachother in the bug eating compartment. The chickens tend to stay close to home and work on the bugs around trees near the house. The guineas are more adventurous and mosey around the entire 5 acres and the rest of my groves. They even go to my neighbors house. They also seem to work well at keeping rattlesnakes at bay.

Phillip

Only have a bit over an acer for them to patrol. My biggest concern is cats (predators) and the guineas making a fuss (neighbors). How verbal are they?

AND to try and keep the topic going..... I'm looking forward to the free organic chicken fertilizer for my garden!

_________________
Charles in Pensacola

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Laaz · Posted: Sun 15 Jul, 2012 9:33 am

Don't know about multiple guineas, but a family moved out of my neighborhood & left their pet guinea. The thing never makes a sound, only real problem is it runs out in front of cars.

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dauben · Posted: Sun 15 Jul, 2012 1:08 pm

Darkman wrote:

dauben wrote:

Good luck!! I've found that my guineas and chickens complement eachother in the bug eating compartment. The chickens tend to stay close to home and work on the bugs around trees near the house. The guineas are more adventurous and mosey around the entire 5 acres and the rest of my groves. They even go to my neighbors house. They also seem to work well at keeping rattlesnakes at bay.

Phillip

Only have a bit over an acer for them to patrol. My biggest concern is cats (predators) and the guineas making a fuss (neighbors). How verbal are they?

AND to try and keep the topic going..... I'm looking forward to the free organic chicken fertilizer for my garden!

The cats leave my Guineas alone. I watched one the other day approaching my birds and it was funny to watch as my guineas stood on alert as the cat walked by. Usually the coyotes are the predators that get my guineas.

As far as noise, they can be noisey. Usually when something disturbs them, but they also give me a morning wakeup call by running over my roof. It sounds like a herd of reindeer.

Phillip

Darkman · Posted: Sun 15 Jul, 2012 11:17 pm

dauben wrote:

Darkman wrote:

dauben wrote:

Good luck!! I've found that my guineas and chickens complement eachother in the bug eating compartment. The chickens tend to stay close to home and work on the bugs around trees near the house. The guineas are more adventurous and mosey around the entire 5 acres and the rest of my groves. They even go to my neighbors house. They also seem to work well at keeping rattlesnakes at bay.

Phillip

Only have a bit over an acer for them to patrol. My biggest concern is cats (predators) and the guineas making a fuss (neighbors). How verbal are they?

AND to try and keep the topic going..... I'm looking forward to the free organic chicken fertilizer for my garden!

The cats leave my Guineas alone. I watched one the other day approaching my birds and it was funny to watch as my guineas stood on alert as the cat walked by. Usually the coyotes are the predators that get my guineas.

As far as noise, they can be noisey. Usually when something disturbs them, but they also give me a morning wakeup call by running over my roof. It sounds like a herd of reindeer.

Phillip

We have Coyotes within ten miles but so far none have been heard near here.

I could learn to love the sound of reindeer in the morning. I think it will be hard to keep them in my yard and that may be the biggest issue. I don't think that will be a problem with the chickens? Don't you usually clip their flight feathers?

_________________
Charles in Pensacola

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

dauben · Posted: Tue 17 Jul, 2012 12:36 am

Darkman wrote:

I could learn to love the sound of reindeer in the morning. I think it will be hard to keep them in my yard and that may be the biggest issue. I don't think that will be a problem with the chickens? Don't you usually clip their flight feathers?

I've clipped their feathers in the past. When they grew back I let them roam off of the property and experimented to see if any of my neighbors complained. The neigbhors don't seem to mind, but if I heard of any problems, I'd probably go back to clipping their wings.

As far as chickens, they pretty much stay within the yard with my 5-foot fence. I have one large rooster that would go over the fence, but he never wandered far or off of my property.

Phillip

Darkman · Posted: Tue 17 Jul, 2012 12:57 am

That's good to know. When I get closer to completing my chicken project I'll PM you for more advice.

Thanks,

_________________
Charles in Pensacola

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Sanguinello · Gest

Hi Phillip !

I wonder do the guineas not just fly away, at all when you catch them ?

I guess they could survive also in wilderness without your care.