Post by Kelsey on Jul 29, 2016 13:25:42 GMT -5
This is a follow up to this thread: Warm weather feed crops for cows.
I decided to try growing teff this year after getting scared off of the idea of the other warm-weather grasses that can produce prussic acid (sorghum, sudan, etc). Next year I will likely try millet as well.
Anyway, planting the teff was super easy - I used an area that the pigs tilled this spring. After the pigs were off, I let the weeds germinate for a few weeks, then covered everything in black plastic. Then pulled off the plastic, raked up the soil a bit (just to rough up the surface), hand scattered the seeds (they're tiny!) and then raked lightly. I planted the seeds when it was super hot out, so I ran a sprinkler for about 15-20 minutes once or twice daily the first few days to help keep the seeds moist (they should be on the surface, or 1/4 inch down - no deeper).
The seeds germinated in <30 hours!!
Once they sprouted I ran the sprinkler for about 30 minutes every 2-3 days, then much less frequently once the grass was >2 inches. It's a really small area so I didn't mind watering it. Next year when I grow more it will not get watered as much.
In the photos you will see two different patches. The taller teff was seeded 6/5 (42 days in photos). The second batch was planted about 2 1/2 weeks later (I only had one piece of plastic so had to do the weed killing in two batches). Photos were from 10 days ago so it's already taller.
It's so beautiful and plush that I don't want to cut it! But it is ready - I will be cutting off a bit each day with the scythe as a snack for the cows. It was just a tiny area so I could see how it does here. Next year's teff patch size will depend on how large of an area we get the pigs to till in the spring.
Obviously I don't have enough to feed to Jingle to see how it impacts her milk or anything like that, but it will be a nice green treat while everything else is crispy and brown!
I decided to try growing teff this year after getting scared off of the idea of the other warm-weather grasses that can produce prussic acid (sorghum, sudan, etc). Next year I will likely try millet as well.
Anyway, planting the teff was super easy - I used an area that the pigs tilled this spring. After the pigs were off, I let the weeds germinate for a few weeks, then covered everything in black plastic. Then pulled off the plastic, raked up the soil a bit (just to rough up the surface), hand scattered the seeds (they're tiny!) and then raked lightly. I planted the seeds when it was super hot out, so I ran a sprinkler for about 15-20 minutes once or twice daily the first few days to help keep the seeds moist (they should be on the surface, or 1/4 inch down - no deeper).
The seeds germinated in <30 hours!!
Once they sprouted I ran the sprinkler for about 30 minutes every 2-3 days, then much less frequently once the grass was >2 inches. It's a really small area so I didn't mind watering it. Next year when I grow more it will not get watered as much.
In the photos you will see two different patches. The taller teff was seeded 6/5 (42 days in photos). The second batch was planted about 2 1/2 weeks later (I only had one piece of plastic so had to do the weed killing in two batches). Photos were from 10 days ago so it's already taller.
It's so beautiful and plush that I don't want to cut it! But it is ready - I will be cutting off a bit each day with the scythe as a snack for the cows. It was just a tiny area so I could see how it does here. Next year's teff patch size will depend on how large of an area we get the pigs to till in the spring.
Obviously I don't have enough to feed to Jingle to see how it impacts her milk or anything like that, but it will be a nice green treat while everything else is crispy and brown!