improving poor soil?

[swade]

I have 5 ac. in which I have cleared the cedars. I would like to improve the soil the soil as organically as possible by planting cereal rye in the fall, white clover in the spring, and buffalo grass next summer. Good plan? Bad plan? Suggestions.

[Bluestem]

I would plant the clover in Mid to late sept. and hope for rain. Crimson clover would be finished by late may. Giving you a good time to plant the buffalo grass. Have your soil tested also, adjust accordingly.

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

What do you plan to use the area for after you finish preparing it? I'm just a skeptic about buffalo grass.

[swade]

I am going to replant mostly fruit and nut tree with some ornaments. I want to try buffalo grass as a lawn in the area around the house. The remaining 5 ac. I want to hold soil and look nice.

[Dchall_San_Antonio]

I like your wording, "try" using buff around the house. I have never seen any buffalo grass that looked nice. I've seen pictures of some that looked nice after treating it like a real grass (fertilizing, compost, water, and mowing). But the buff I've seen in person has all been replaced with St Augustine.

Would you consider alfalfa in the 5 ac you want to hold soil and look nice? It would do a world of good for the soil.

Your trees ought to be treated with Actinovate before planting. Check out the Trees forum and see if they talk about that over there. If not, they should.

[swade]

I have/am considering alfalfa. My greatest concerns about alfalfa are the height it may grow (36 in.) and its water needs. My plans are to plant about 15-20 trees a year until the acreage is filled and then it may be time to replace some. I don't want the gound cover to suck the water away from the trees. That's the reason I have ruled out Coastal Bermuda. I have talk to a friend here who farms, his recommendation was vetch. Reason being, same effect at a lower cost. As for my interest in buffalo grass, I used to coach football here in Glen Rose. Our practice field had 3 or 4 patches of buff. At the end of the season it would be the only grass we would have left. I also liked its fine texture. I have been listening to Howard Garrett for several years and have 2 of his books. He has been pushing it for some time. From the things I find written about it, I don't know what anyone would use anything else. I thought I'd give it a chance knowing I can always go back to bermuda. Thanks for ideas. I am not 100% committed anything and appreciate the suggestions.