Cahaba Tractor Co.
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Issue 51                  
May 2015
 

 

There's a break in the clouds and the sun is shining--time to get outside and plant! 

To help you get the job done, check out Cahaba Tractor's Spring Savings on the Kubota L2501 4-Wheel Drive Diesel Tractor and get up to $2,000 in discounts and rebates! Details below.

Need other equipment? Then take advantage of Kubota's 0% financing for up to 60 months on select models with approved credit. Come see us for models and details.We've also got more great deals in our Specials and Used Products posted on our website.

Has all the rainy weather left your planting schedule in a rut? Then read this month's Chewin' the Cud article Planting Season Delayed? for some inspiration.

Before you grab your hoe and shovel, take a look at the May Gardening Guide for some planting guidelines.

There's a lot going on this month. Stay up to date with the May Activities and Events listing.


Cahaba Tractor Spring Savings




Buy the Kubota L2501 4-Wheel Drive Diesel Tractor
for $13,796
and get up to $2,000 in discounts and rebates! **


**(with purchase of a Loader and one implement plus cash discount or select 0% financing. See dealer for details.)

 

  Used Products and Specials  

Take a look at more great deals on cahabatractor.com.
Get 'em before they're gone!



Take a look at our great Used Products!
Kubota ZD-221 $8,995



Grab these Specials before it's too late!
 Kubota Z723-48 ZeroTurn Mower
Special Sale Price $7,399

Get one while they last!


Shop now for the best selection on
 Used and Special-priced equipment!



Chewin' the Cud: The Cahaba Tractor Corner
close up cow   
      
     Planting Season Delayed?    
                   


Has the rainy weather left your planting season stuck in the mud? If you were among the many Alabama farmers who had to delay planting this year's crops, all might not be lost after all.

 

Although Alabama growers generally plant crops, like corn, beginning in early March, the weather-induced delayed planting may end up being a mixed blessing. Before you pull out the pitchforks and run screaming, think about what could have been. If crops were planted before the monsoon season we recently experienced in Alabama, the chances for a good yield are slim.  

 

According to aganytime.com, planting too early under poor conditions can definitely impact yield. It is also important to plant when soil temperatures and conditions are good as opposed to following the planting calendar. The dates on the planting calendar are based on the average year under average conditions. However, soil that is too cold or too wet can and will wreak havoc on your crops.   

   

Corn planted in saturated soil. 


Just how do these conditions affect crops? 

1) To begin with, soil that is too cold (meaning below 55 degrees F-the optimum temperature for seed germination) can cause the seeds to remain dormant and ultimately become more vulnerable to diseases, insects and animal predators.  

 

2) Adequate soil moisture and a high soil oxygen concentration are ideal for seed germination and plant growth. On the other hand, a saturated soil can restrict plant growth and decrease oxygen availability to the plant-so basically the seed and plant can drown in water-soaked, oxygen-less soil.

 

3) Saturated soils also inhibit root growth, leaf area expansion and the entire photosynthesis process. The root dies due to lack of oxygen.

 

4) Soil compaction is another concern. When soil particles are compressed in muddy conditions, there is a significant decrease in pore space and soil density. Seeds cannot germinate, root and plant growth are in danger and nutrient uptake is difficult due to a lack of oxygen. Soil compaction occurs primarily when equipment passes over a field during over-saturated and muddy soil conditions. The best defense is a good offense. Stay out of the field until conditions improve. If mud is sticking to the tires and the ruts made in the soil are deeper than one inch, that's a good indication to hold off planting until the soil dries.

 

5) Soil crusting occurs when a hardened layer forms on the surface as the wet soil dries. This crust can prohibit seedlings from emerging. Use a rotary tiller or hoe to break up the crust and aid seedling emergence. The faster the soil is broken up, the better the survival rate of the seedlings.

 

To give your crop the best chance of emerging properly and getting off to a good start, it's important to follow good planting practices as opposed to the dates on a calendar or almanac. Those are both good tools to gauge the planting season, but the true predictor of a healthy crop yield is the condition of the soil. In addition, proper seed depth and planting density are important and can best be done when soil conditions are favorable.

  

Corn planted in favorable soil conditions.

 

Planting later in the season doesn't have to have a negative effect on your crops. With a little planning and some adjusting to the conditions, this could still be a bumper crop year. Happy harvesting!

     

 
Not sure what equipment is right for your job or project? We're here to help. Our trained and courteous staff will guide you in selecting just the right equipment and implements needed to get it done right.

Equipment need repairing? Our Service Department is available for you. Our Kubota and Gehl mechanics have over 80 years of combined experience on full service tune up and maintenance on all models. We also carry a large inventory on all models in our Parts Department.

Whatever you need to help make your job easier, you can count on us. Come by and see us or call today.   


Sincerely,
Cahaba Tractor Co.
2411 Hwy. 31 South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470



Cahaba Tractor location


 In Honor of Mothers Everywhere


 


Happy Mother's Day from Cahaba Tractor!

Why settle for less when you can have the best?

Cahaba Tractor logo
 
pig in mud Here's
Mud 
In
Your
Eye 
Listen to Your Mother!

 

Columbus' Mother:
I don't care what you've discovered, Christopher.  You could have written.

 

Michelangelo's Mother: Mike, can't you paint on walls like other children? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get that stuff off the ceiling?  

 

Napoleon's Mother:  All right, Napoleon. If you aren't hiding your report card inside your jacket, then take your hand out of there and prove it.  

 

Goldilock's Mother:
I've got a bill here for a broken chair from the Bear family. Do you know anything about this Goldie?   

 

Albert Einstein's Mother: But, Albert, it's your senior picture. Can't you do something about your hair? Styling gel, mousse, something...?  

 

Thomas Edison's Mother: Of course I'm proud that you invented the electric light bulb, Thomas. Now turn off that light and get to bed!   

 

Humpty Dumpty's Mother: Humpty, if I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times not to sit on that wall. But, would you listen to me? No!  

 

--Anonymous


Planting
May
Gardening Guide
 

Fruits and Nuts:

Continue spray program. Keep grass from around strawberries and trees. Peaches and apples can still be budded. 

 

Vegetable Seed:

Plant heat-loving and tender vegetables. Plant cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and celery in cold frames for the fall garden.  Follow the AL Vegetable Garden Planting Chart for planting dates.

Vegetable Plants:

Continue planting tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, sweet potatoes and parsley.

Annuals and Perennials:
Bedding plants may still be planted. Check day lilies for insects.

Bulbs: 
Container-started summer bulbs may still be planted. Do not remove any foliage from spring flowering bulbs. Do not let seedheads form on tulips and other spring flowering bulbs.

Roses:
Spray or dust for insects and diseases. Fertilize according to soil test.Continue planting container grown flowering plants. Prune climbing roses after first big flowering flush.
   
Shrubs:

Take extra care with newly planted shrubs.When temps reach 86 degrees F stop spraying with oil emulsions. 

   

Lawns:

May is the best time to start lawns from seed.  Water new lawns as needed. Fertilize, water and mow grass to keep established lawns actively growing. Spray weeds with correct herbicides.      

 

Miscellaneous: 

*Mulch new shrub plantings. 

 

*Continue to water new shrub and tree plantings, as needed.   

 

The gardening guide is based upon the USDA hardiness zones for Alabama.

The state zones are:
 

North Alabama - 7a
Birmingham area - 7b
South Alabama - 8a
Mobile area - 8b
 
For more gardening info, visit:
May
 Activities and Events
  
Bloomin' Festival
St.Bernard Prep School
Cullman
thru May 12

26th Annual "To Kill a Mockingbird" Theatrical Production
Old Courthouse
Monroeville
thru May 16

Mayfest
Guin
May 8 & 9

Buck Creek Festival
Helena
May 8 & 9

13th Annual Spring Hydrangea Sale
Aldridge Botanical Gardens
Hoover
May 8 & 9

Homestead Hollow Arts & Crafts Festival
Springville
May 8-10

Yatta Abba Day
Abbeville
May 9

AWF Wild Game Cook Off
Civitan Park
Guntersville
May 9

Birmingham Rose Show
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
May 9 & 10

Limestone County Sheriff's Rodeo
Athens
May 9-16


May 10

Regions Tradition Golf Tournament
Shoal Creek
Birmingham
May 13-17

Jackson County Small Farms 101 Workshop
Scottsboro
May 14, 6-8pm

27th Annual Multicultural Indian Event
Danville
May 14-16

Antique Alley Yard Sale
Attalla
May 14-17

SoulStock
Decatur
May 15 & 16

PCA Rodeo
Fayette
May 15 & 16

Cotton Pickin' BBQ Cook-Off
Hartselle
May 15 & 16

Rhododendron Festival
Mentone
May 15-17


May 16

Catfish Festival
Scottsboro
May 16

22nd Annual Cotton Patch Festival
Uriah
May 16

Cahaba Lily Festival
West Blocton
May 16

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Festival
Decatur
May 23 & 24


May 25

Memorial Day at American Village
Montevallo
May 25

Bluegrass Festival on the Plains
Auburn
May 25-31


For more Alabama events this month, visit birmingham365.org or

    

Contact Us:
Cahaba Tractor Co.

2411 Hwy 31 South
Pelham, AL 35124
(205) 663-1470
sales@cahabatractor.com
Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm M-F

          8:00am-12:00pm Sat.


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