Almost everyone I know who uses a roller rolls just AFTER planting, usually soys or edible beans.

Thinking about this, does anyone roll cornstalks in the FALL after harvest?

It seems like fall rolling would serve the same function as spring preplant rolling of getting the stalks down so no damage to fert tubes, etc. But FALL rolling would also get the stalks in contact with the soil so maybe they break down a bit more in late fall or early spring (the "Greywolf effect"!) yet are still tied to the ground and not blowing to the fenceline or piles.

The fall rolled stalks may also be less likely to catch and hold the excess snow which delays spring soil drying in some areas.

I guess I am a bit leary of rolling the often wet muddy ground AHEAD of planting in the spring. Sure the stalks may hold the roller up in some places and conditions. But they may not in some other places and conditions.

Has anyone tried fall rolling of cornstalks? Results?

Jim at Dawn