Preparing for Fall
As the days shorten and the balmy, humid August days give way to chilly mornings and crisp evenings, farmers, backyard enthusiasts, and homesteaders will need to shift crop management and practices. This will allow for the appropriate growing conditions for the following spring. By this point in the year, the cold-hardy brassicas are in prime growth or soon ready to be picked. Garlic and saffron are soon to be or already planted. Now is the time to for post-harvest management for appropriate soil health. Nitrogen application will take a backseat to phosphorus and potassium, as they are responsible for building a strong root base.
Fertrell’s Soil Mineralizer Plus was designed to prep the soil for just this reason. Containing calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and biology will improve non- mobile nutrient uptake and increase biological activity for the next cropping season. Apply at 6 pounds per 1000 sq ft or 300 pounds an acre. Above ground management practices can include cover cropping, or the addition of plant material. Consider looking into Fertrell Plow and Cow Fall Cover Crop blend. A blend of field peas, triticale, oats, buckwheat, crimson clover, daikon radish, and yellow blossom sweet clover provide a host of benefits. Nitrogen fixation will occur with the legumes in the blend, along with buckwheat outcompeting weeds. Be sure to plow in, graze or mow down buckwheat prior to seed formation.
The radish is ideal for tough, hard to breach clay soils, also improving organic matter, to better utilize nutrients in the soil. Apply at 75-100 pounds per acre at ½ in drill depth, double the rate if applied via broadcast.
As the temperature continues to cool, nutrient availability and biologic activity will decrease. Fall preparation will ease the burden of heavy spring management in the event of inconsistent spring weather. We cannot see the future, but we can see a picture of what is to come. After the crops are off the field, soil testing is that picture into spring management. During the month of September, Fertrell offers 50% off soil testing. Annual testing will build a map of how your management and fertilization of your operation changes year to year. Our blends can be used for certain crops and can also be used to specifically target what nutrients are lacking, thus bringing your soil in balance with desirable biologic activity and organic matter levels. Prepare for optimum spring conditions!
