Hi everyone, I’m buying a house next to a cornfield. The seller used to have corn growing right up to the house. It looks like all the corn has been harvested, but there are still some small corn stalks left in the ground. What’s the best way to mow down the corn stalks? I’m worried about using my lawn mower. Thanks…
@Quinlan
That’s what I was thinking. Thank you so much for the info. How much did you pay for the tractor and how big is your land? Thanks again.
Dallas said:
@Quinlan
That’s what I was thinking. Thank you so much for the info. How much did you pay for the tractor and how big is your land? Thanks again.
That’s actually the farmer down the road. The land he’s prepping is owned by our closest neighbor. New, typically north of $600K. We’re on a little over 2 acres. Farmland both sides of us and across the road. A shit load of farmland.
@Quinlan
I am so stupid. I meant how much the farmer charged you to till your lawn? I got two acres too. I just don’t know if a farmer is going to till it for me.
Dallas said:
@Quinlan
I am so stupid. I meant how much the farmer charged you to till your lawn? I got two acres too. I just don’t know if a farmer is going to till it for me.
lol. Got it. My land was already done when the house was built. So, we’ve got a 25 year head start. You may be able to get a landscaping company to take care of this. 2 acres is a manageable amount of land for a smaller tractor they’re likely to have.
Go Field of Dreams and make a baseball field.
If you plan to just make a yard out of it you might look into having some power till the area with a tractor before you seed it.
OP I recommend posting this to r/homestead if you’re interested in some alternate ideas.
Where is your property line start there. Don’t start trying to take over your farmer neighbors field. Do not fuck with farmers.
Fallon said:
Where is your property line start there. Don’t start trying to take over your farmer neighbors field. Do not fuck with farmers.
Entire property is mine. I am just trying to get rid of the corn stalks.
@Dallas
Throw a couple tires on a chain drag it behind an ATV or truck.
Who just buys a corn field… Without being a person that deals with corn?
Farm land can be valuable if maintained and used (well). So, before you do anything that may diminish, or squander, the value… Figure out something to do with it. Hire someone to maintain it? Lease it? Sell it?
I don’t know where to start with those things… But you’ll be able to find helpful people who are willing to point you to answers about what your options are for that land.
In order, try:
- county extension office
- local milling/farming co-op (places that sell seeds too)
- your state department of agriculture
- knock on the door of your nearest neighbor with farmland.
@Val
I’m really confused by your reply. The majority of land in the Midwest that becomes available to build is farmland. Farmers sell lots all the time.
Tobin said:
@Val
I’m really confused by your reply. The majority of land in the Midwest that becomes available to build is farmland. Farmers sell lots all the time.
He’s saying that there are good things to be done with the corn field that aren’t growing grass. OP could make some nice beer money by leasing the field.
@Hari
I think the profit per acre would surprise you. For that small field it’s not worth it. Beer money is about all you would get.
Tobin said:
@Hari
I think the profit per acre would surprise you. For that small field it’s not worth it. Beer money is about all you would get.
The point being, farm land is more valuable than not being farm land. The simple fact that it’s currently weed free has value, plus whatever fertility characteristics it may have, plus any water management features.
Is it a field of gold? Probably not, but it’s certainly worth more as farmland.
Children of the corn came right in my mind.
Just tell a farmer in the area what you are doing and ask if they would be willing to do a little work for you. A lot of them are out doing tillage right now anyway and would have the equipment to get it grass ready or very close. If they have a drill (most likely) they can plant grass efficiently as hell too.
Lease the land to a neighbor farmer. Get some money. What else you gonna do with it? Or build a fence and get some livestock.