Biodiverse Polyculture (USDA 8a Zone Pasture) - sounds better than "My Acres of Weeds"

[NanaK]

I think you will have a lot of things come back from the root or seed left by the plants.

I'm zone 8a.
We have a couple acres that could be used as pasture for animals. It is open to full sun so this is where the veg garden is. We never seeded this area so what grows was planted by mother nature. Lots of wild grasses, purslane, dandelions, etc. In the fence line I've found wild black berries, scuppernong, passiflora (may pops) and other stuff I've yet to identify.

In winter most of the area turns brown and looks dead with only small amounts of green. Come spring it all greens up quickly.

This area does not get pressure from grazing animals but I still think you may be surprised at what does survive.

Lab lab? Such as Hyacinth Bean Vine?
This is a beautiful plant. I've grown it many times. Easy to save seed too. Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies love it. Do beware, ants love it too.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

I too am wondering if you’re looking at a lot of dormant plants. If the roots aren’t destroyed, things will probably come back.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

For reference, here’s some bananas, amaranth, bahia, and sugar cane. 8b north Florida.

It will all be fine.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am LOVING this reassurance. THANK YOU ALL

 

[U_Stormcrow]

And here is part of the section I tilled.

It used to look like this.

 

[NanaK]

I see patchy green bits in your photo. I would not tear up the ground too much but wait and see. I think you will see more greening as spring nears.
If you have bare spots show up, just seed these areas.

Is that hickory nuts I see? Bet the goats like them.

 

[Sally PB]

I see a BIG improvement in the soil!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Is that hickory nuts I see? Bet the goats like them.

Bitternut hickory or Pignut hickory. I can't tell the difference with complete confidence, but am 90% certain its Bitternut. Destroys the chains on a chainsaw, utterly inedible by humans, and not real popular with the goats, either.

The ducks, believe it or not, will sometimes eat one, we think. We suspect it is part of what turns their yolks a color of green similar to the contents of certain baby diapers, this time of year.

 

[CastielH]

No advice since I'm in zone 4a so our areas are very different but here's hoping more comes back then you expect in the spring.

 

[NanaK]

Could be pignut hickory. We've found a few in the woods here. Not tasty at all. Never tried to cut the wood. Surprised the ducks gave them a try.

About your pasture, have you thought about seeding with something like rye grass or fescue until stuff comes back? It will germinate quickly at 50-60 degrees. Throw the seed when you are expecting rain. It's pretty cheap and will green up fast.
Just make sure to look for untreated seed. Some is treated with fungicide.

Oh, and I have not thought of one of "those" green baby diapers in years.
Glad I aready had dinner!