Soil Management

Soil plays a vital role in the establishment and growth of any crop and unfortunately its management and maintenance is often overlooked. 

Problems with soil structure will affect root development, fertility uptake and moisture retention: compaction is often a hidden problem that will affect many crops (maize tends to be the most susceptible).  Plants that are able to develop a strong, extensive root system are much better placed to cope with times of stress such as prolonged periods of dry weather.

Acidic soils that show a low pH can be restored to a more neutral level by adding lime.  This can be applied in two forms, agricultural lime in a bulk powder form or pelleted lime that is easier and cleaner to handle. 

Soils that display a high pH (alkaline) may require the crop to receive a trace element spray to balance the reduced opportunity to uptake nutrients from the soil.

To ensure that the soil nutrient levels are maintained at the required level we strongly recommend that soil be tested on a regular basis (on new sites we recommend testing in the first year before establishing a crop). 

Kings is able to offer a full soil testing service that measures pH, major nutrient and trace element levels.  Incorrect pH levels can significantly affect the uptake of trace elements even if they are present in the soil. 

Weed Control

The bane of any crop, be it for agriculture or game, weeds continue to be potentially the biggest obstacle to successful crop establishment.  The fact that plots are cropped repeatedly, with mixtures often being used, ensures that a weed burden can quickly build up. 

Careful choice of crop species, with consideration of the weed problem already known, can help with herbicide selection and usage.  The benchmark weed control method for all game cover plots is the stale seedbed technique - this is a simple effective method of limiting the early establishment of weed species. 

If a drilled crop can establish quickly in a weed-free environment, it has a much greater chance of beating off any later pressure from late weed growth, pests and disease.

Seedbed Preparation

For crops to get a good start the seed requires good soil contact so small seeds, such as those of kale and quinoa, need fine, firm seedbeds.  Larger seeds also need a reasonably fine seedbed for successful germination.  This can be helped by rolling the ground after drilling, which in turn will help to retain valuable moisture.

Fertiliser use at this stage will aid crop establishment.  An application of farmyard manure will be of great assistance by improving soil structure, increasing aeration and helping to retain moisture.

Pests

The monitoring and control of plant pests is as important for successful game and conservation crop establishment as it is for arable and vegetable crops.  The damage caused by pigeons, crows and rabbits can be significant; setting deterrents, such as flags, bangers, traps and, of course, our Poacher Cats, is time well spent.

Game birds can also cause significant damage to establishing crops, particularly those adjacent to woodland areas.  Supplementary feeding next to cover areas is worth considering to divert the attentions of roving game birds intent on following individual drill lines and digging up emerging seedlings. 

Slugs can be a significant pest that are present each year in varying numbers.  Cold, damp springs normally result in wet and cloddy seedbeds that are ideal for slugs to take a hold in. 

Regular monitoring may indicate that an application of slug pellets is required, however drilling slightly later and rolling the seedbed afterwards will assist in preventing damage.

No doubt the single biggest issue facing brassica growers, and forcing many to move away from choosing kale, flea beetle can be a huge problem.  Kings offers kale products with the option of various seed treatments that help prevent attack by flea beetle. 

However, the use of these treatments is encouraged as an aid to controlling flea beetle and should not be seen as a replacement for good crop husbandry.