A Little About Field Mowing
Field mowing, also known as bush hogging, brush cutting and rotary mowing is a method of mowing thick, tall, unwanted vegetation to reclaim property lost to overgrowth. By cutting back weeds and grasses, the organic material can decompose and be used to enrich the soil, which in turn allows insects and animals to return to the land and interact with flora in favorable ways. Acreage is then able to be utilized for development, livestock pasturing, property sale, views and more after being cut down. Another big reason to mow is to reclaim property and cut-back unwanted weeds such as Star Thistle, Poison Oak, Fox Tails, Black Berries and other weeds in the area.
A common method of cutting overgrowth, brush hogging is when a power unit (i.e., tractor) utilizes a mowing implement attached to the three point hitch of the tractor to cut and mulch grasses and brush. Powered by the drive machine's PTO (power-take-off), the brush hog cuts excessive grass, saplings and roughage with a set of large, heavy, hinged blades. Material is cut, mulched and allowed to exit out the back as the tractor moves along. Unlike a normal lawn mower, a bush hog isn’t designed to hug the ground and provide a finished look, but rather to cut through large quantities of plant material. However, well maintained blades and a properly adjusted deck can provide a low, even cutting of a pasture. Once under control, a maintence mowing can be periodically performed to keep growth in check.
My brush hog mower set for a low cut.
The frequency in which land should be mowed depends greatly on how large of an area you have to maintain. Which grasses and or weeds are in place and what you plan to use it for all factor into how often a pasture should be cut. Generally, for areas such as open fields, lightly wooded ares, hunting grounds and that “fringe” beyond the yard, cutting every four to twelve months is considered standard. If you have dogs around or plants that grow quickly, every two to six months might be a better choice which will prevent black berries, weeds and saplings from getting too large and possibly overtaking wanted vegetation, such as wildflowers as well as preventing foreign objects from being lodged in ears, noses and eyes of our furry friends, saving on potential vet bills.
A determination based on the type and density of vegetation to be cut, in addition to factors like the condition of the soil, rocks and rodent holes all play a part in dictating what is an appropriate setting for a brush cutting mower. Mowing can be performed in circles or stripes, depending on aesthetic preference (or which approach makes the most sense to minimize sharp turns). For land that has never been cleared, you can expect your first mow to be more of a “primer” for the land, as you’ll most likely need to go back over it at a lower setting to catch what may have been missed the first visit and to just continue the mulching / spreading process from the first cutting. Trying to time a mow so that seeding plants get cut before the seed is mature may help mitigate further spread of unwanted weeds. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for everybody; at the end of the day, you know what you want the property to look like or I am able to consult with you in this matter in person.
