Mechanical Seedbed Mulch Pickup Works Well With Juniper

Germination and emergence of juniper is unpredictable, because of dormancy variation in seedlots and erratic climatic conditions when stratified seed is ready for sowing. For this reason, some years ago Bessey Nursery departed from standard spring sowing of stratified juniper seed, and adopted the practice of late summer or early fall sowing. Dry-stored seed can be used for summer sowing, but for fall sowing, seed collected and depulped soon after ripening and dried just enough to permit drill sowing is best. The beds are mulched with hay, straw, or pine needles to help maintain uniform moisture and temperatures at seed level. This method provides natural stratification and results in complete germination the following spring. Germination of summer and fall sowing occurs simultaneously in early spring. Mulch removal cannot be delayed and presents a considerable labor problem when 6 or 7 miles of beds must be uncovered in a short period. Thus, the feasibility of a mechanical mulch pickup was explored. Some grain combines have the windrow pickup attachment. But combines are bulky and not easily adapted to maneuvering over closely-spaced nursery beds. Since the pickup attachment-a wire-tined reel-was the only part of the combine we needed, it appeared easier to build our own machine than to try to modify one to fit our needs.

Download this file:

Download this file

Details

Author(s): M. K. Meines

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 19, Number 1 (1968)

Volume: 19

Number: 1