11 replies to this topic

[Jordan9682]

I have some problematic corn Stalks I'm trying to deal with. I disced the garden today to blacken it abit and warm it so i can plant as soon as possible. The long corn stalks didnt really get broken up too much after 3-4 passes. So the stalks would just wrap around the rototiller. They were kinda wet, think I'll be able to break them up with 1 or 2 more passes once they dry out? I don't want to drag it all off and I have no means to buy a plow. I have my 33" disc, walk behind rototiller and a hoe.
Have any of you had a similar problem?
(There is before and after pics below)

Any input is greatly appreciated :)

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Edited by Jordan9682, April 21, 2013 - 11:14 PM.

[oldedeeres]

Running the lawn mower over it before you cultivated would have helped-- we usually do that with any large, tough stalks- but that's advice a day late for this year.Something to remember for next year though.

[Amigatec]

The stocks as they break down in the garden will use up the available nitrogen in the soil, it may be better to remove them and compost them first. I run over mine when the mower in the fall and crew them up good, then I till them under so they break down over winter.

[skyrydr2]

 Cut down the stalks after harvest and feed to the cows ! get them off the field . Then you can disc up the root balls just before laying down a crop of rye or something to help replenish the soil.

[1978murray]

i dont have that issue with a 10ft disk on the farm. but i would of mowed them over first b4 u plow.

[larryd]

My old boss used to always mow his first

 

larryd

[daytime dave]

If it's not a large garden area, just rake them off this year and mow them next year.  Do you have a mulch pit, box or area?

[Jordan9682]

Might harrow it off, and spread it back on after planting

[JD DANNELS]

Been there and done that!! Two yrs ago whe nI moved onto this place 6 acres had been in corn. I mowed it all with the Gt to shred the stalks and then tilled.  That was only margianlly sucessful. I still had bunching problems and wound up using the Harrow( I think you have one) to rake it off. Your best bet would be to rake it off and compost them as Pat said.

Two years later they are still a problem. Though not so much so since I put the 48" tiller on the 1500 Ford( it buries most of them).

One thing you may not have though about is Corn Borers winter in the stalks. Getting them out of the garden and the heat from composting will save you a lot of heart ache.

[Jordan9682]

I don't know that corn borers would be an issue as corn isn't grown around here other than in some gardens, like my own

[Reverend Blair]

Yeah, I never heard of corn borers before I moved to Manitoba because nobody grows corn in Saskatchewan. That might change...saw good corn crops as far north and west as Dauphin last year, and if they've developed strains that'll grow there, you can grow it anywhere.

 

I generally harrow and rake corn stalks into a pile and shovel them into the fire pit. They burn well.  

[skyrydr2]

The de composing of the stalks will suck the nitrogen right out of the garden soil, use them for fill , they are more trouble then good.