Chicory/Winter Wheat...Gamble with no soil test?
 

I have a .5 acre section of pasture we're going to add a plot to (or plan to) this spring. We plan to have a soil test done, but if it comes back as needing a good amount of lime, it will be a bit too late to effect this planting season. We want to plant a test plot of sorts this season for a summer and a fall/early winter plot. We were thinking Chicory and Winter Wheat. First are either of these a gamble if our soil turns out somewhat acidic? (This ground has been planted before, just not for quite some time). We would like to put a plot in during the spring, and then possibly put an exterior ring around the plot in our fall planting (winter wheat). Thoughts?

RE: Chicory/Winter Wheat...Gamble with no soil test?
 

I would wait until you get the soil test results, you have time in PA. Chickory does best with a pH > 6. Winter wheat can be successful to a pH of 5.0. You could plant oats on your inner ring with a low pH, and then winter wheat in the fall across the entire plot. This would allow you to have a spring lime application, and a fall application if you needed a lot of lime. Next year, your soil should be OK for the chickory. If you have a pH > 5.8, your idea for chickory/winter wheatwould work fine this spring. If you have a "normal" brown colored loamy forest soil, I doubt you will have very acidic soil.

RE: Chicory/Winter Wheat...Gamble with no soil test?
 

Thanks for the advice. Oats were another one that we were considering. I will get the soil test done here soon, and go from there. Can we get the Oats in as late as mid May or should it be done earlier?

RE: Chicory/Winter Wheat...Gamble with no soil test?
 

Oats should go in earlier. Since you are not growing them for cash cropping, they will probably be OK if you plant in mid-May. Oats can go in as soon as the frost is out of the ground, and they do not like hot weather. Consider the PSU soil lab, or a lab recommended by your county extension agent for your soil test. Some low cost labs do not have information you will find helpful.