Wide rows are essential for proper growth of the interseeded legumes. 
(Courtesy of Funk Bros. Seed Co.) 
LEGUME PLANTING 
Seeding procedures for legumes 
and grasses vary within the Corn 
Belt. These variations depend on 
rainfall distribution, soil moisture 
levels, soil temperatures, and 
whether the interseeding is to be 
used as green manure, hay, or pas- 
ture. Seedlings have a_ better 
chance to survive if the planting is" 
done before or shortly after corn 
planting time, particularly where a 
weed problem is unlikely. More- 
over, regular equipment can be used 
at that time. 
Early seeded legumes and grasses, 
however, are more likely to become 
weedy and will reduce corn yields 
more than seedings made in June 
or July. Early seedings need to be 
~- clipped or sprayed to reduce weed 
growth and to reduce competition 
with corn for moisture and nu- 
trients. 
6 
Seedings delayed until the corn 
is cultivated twice will have less 
weed competition. However, soil 
moisture conditions at this time are 
less favorable, and special soil- 
packing equipment is necessary to 
insure good stands of legumes. 
Two types of soil-packing ma- 
chines are available: A grain drill 
with attached packing wheels, and 
the cultipacker seeder. Both ma- 
chines pack the soil firmly around 
the small seed. This allows the seed 
to make maximuni use of the avail- 
able moisture for germination and 
growth. 3 
Band seeding is an_ excellent 
method for establishing legumes 
and grasses in wide-row corn. This 
procedure deposits the seeds in a 
row over a band of fertilizer and 
covers them with a thin layer of 
soil. Most conventional grain drills 
can be adapted to this method 
