Rancher with Plotmaster

Getting to some of our fields is difficult due to the terrain and vegetation.  An ideal solution is to use an ATV with a Plotmaster, a very effective combination that works well in small fields in the woods to break up the soil for planting and then smoothing the soil over the seed bed.  Various attachments can be added that will spread the fertilizer and seed automatically.  For our small plots we find it easier to use a manual spreader. 

The Plotmaster has various adjustments that allow for various depths for plowing and angles for discing, depending on the type of soil and depth needed for planting.

Planting During the Drought

It is a difficult decision to spend money on fertilizer, lime, and seed during a prolonged drought.  The cost of fertilizer has increased 400% since we began planting for the wildlife less than 10 years ago.  But, as the weather cools and the woods don their fall colors, human nature dictates that the crops must be planted.  This fall, surely, the rains will come.  So the decision is not whether to plant but what to plant.  The most reliable combination of seeds seems to be one that is mixed for the local area and sold at a local nursery and is appropriately called Wildlife Mix.  That mix plus the minimum amount of fertilizer calculated to produce a decent crop, and a schedule that would have the seed and fertilizer in the ground in time for cooler and, hopefully, wetter weather became our game plan.

Bringing Back the Long Leaf Pine

Long Leaf Pine Seedling

We planted 50 long leaf pine seedlings last winter as an experiment.  This entire southeastern area of the country had originally been covered in long leaf pines which are lovely tall trees.  They grow in sandy poor soil and are fire resistant.  They can live for up to 300 years.  With our poor soil we would like to increase our acreage in long leaf pines; however, with this continuing drought the seedlings might not survive. 

Drought Has Serious Consequences



Dead ferns throughout the woods



This year we have experienced a severe drought all over the state of Georgia.  Several of the fruit trees that we planted this past winter have already died, and we are very concerned about many of the other trees that have survived so far but might not survive the heat of August.  When we can we carry water to the more vulnerable trees, and we have put a heavy covering of mulch on all of the trees to preserve moisture.

Another casualty has been many of the lovely ferns that usually grace our woods.  As this photo shows, all of the ferns on both sides of this trail have died. 

I have even tried a rain dance, but so far it has not been effective.

Native Azaleas Are Harbingers of Spring

We discovered several groups of fragrant pink native azaleas blooming in our woods several years ago.  Now during late March and early April I eagerly await this very special event.  One must venture into the woods to view this lovely sight as they prefer partial shade to full sunlight.  Our soil, though poor, does drain well, and the azaleas have flourished, growing to heights of 6' - 8'.

Pruning is Necessary to Control Growth

There is much material on how and when to prune fruit trees.  We have been experimenting with various techniques and have found this long handled pruner to be very effective.  Although we haven't grasped the fine art of the ideal method for each type of tree, we understand that it is important to prune limbs that are crossing each other and to cut out limbs that are at too extreme an angle to the main stem.  And the best time to prune is in early Spring.

It was a difficult decision to prune fruit from trees early in the season; however, several of our pear trees were so loaded down with pears that we had to pull some off so that the branches wouldn't split.  Unfortunately, with the drought this year, most of the fruit fell to the ground prematurely.  But it disappeared quickly, so we assume that the goal, to feed the wildlife, was accomplished.

This photo was taken on March 25, almost 3 weeks after the burn.  The field is already producing browse for the wildlife.  After the burn we also disked the field to further break up the soil.