From field to pasture... A pictorial diary. Transforming a
corn field into a horse pasture.
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Seeding: 11 April 2004 - Planting oats as a nurse crop,
Timothy, Meadow Brome Grass,
Meadow Orchard Grass, and alfalfa as a pasture mix.
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A hint of green: 1 May 2004 - If you look hard, you can see the tinge of green
from the sprouting oats.
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A big change: 30 May 2004 - The oats are now several inches high.
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Close Up: 6 June 2004 - You can see the grass and alfalfa seedlings sprouting
underneath the taller Oats.
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Nice Progress: 6 June 2004 - Cool weather and lots of rain make for some
significant growth in just a week.
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Golden Grain: 27 July 2004 - Swathing the grain in preparation for
combining the oats.
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Harvest time: 31 July 2004 - A wee bit of rain delays the combining for a few
days. The remaining straw is now ready for baling.
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Waiting... 06 August 2004 - A mix of rain and mechanical trouble delays baling the straw.
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Baling: 08 August 2004 - Starting and stopping over several weeks causes some heartburn.
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Baled! 14 August 2004 - The straw is finally off the pasture. Some overflow bales are left.
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The Pasture: 27 August 2004 - Now we wait for the grass to establish and form sod.
With the Lord's blessing it will be ready for the horses next spring! We might even be able
to get a cutting of hay yet this year.
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