Speader for grass seed?

[Bob_Trevithick]

We had a lot of digging done last year, and a lot of our front yard is now just mud. My wife thinks I should use the LandPride FS-500 spreader I got with the tractor to spread grass seed over the entire area, starting with the areas which are just mud, and then moving out over the rest of the yard so hopefully the grass seed will help to improve the lawn and crowd out the weeds a bit.

We have about 2.5 acres, or which some is taken up by the house, the garage, and the veggie gardens.. probably leaving me with about 1.5 acres of so of mowed lawn.

Would the spreader be overkill? Any idea how many pounds of grass seed this might entail?

I'm also thinking some fertilizer and grub killer would be a good thing. And that the spreader could be used to seed the unused parts of the gardens with "green manure" like barley which would be tilled under periodically and then used to put a layer of some kind of winter crop like red clover which would be tilled under in the Spring.

Is the spreader the right tool for what I need, or should I consider seeing about a trade-in (it's unused)?

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Knight9]

Bob,

<font color=blue>Would the spreader be overkill? </font color=blue>

I don't think so. I did about the same area as you have (2 acres or so) last fall with a push broadcast spreader. Sure wish I had a 3ph spreader like you do!!! As long as the ground isn't too soft, otherwise driving your tractor on it to use the spreader may result in ruts and a real mess.

I think a 3ph spreader would be very useful after the lawn is in to fertilize/weed kill.

Kevin

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...As long as the ground isn't too soft, otherwise driving your tractor on it to use the spreader may result in ruts and a real mess.</font color=blue>

LOL.. yeah, I found that out the hard way! Every time I tried to fix the muddy mess, I made it worse. Now I know.. wait until things dry up a bit before I try to level it up. Thanks..

 

[theboman]

Get the seed down with whatever means possible. I'd shy away from anykind of weed/bug killer on areas you are going for new growth it may end up killing any new grasses.

I was usind some Scotts weed & seed something or other and the Scotts rep approached me and told be not to use it for the bare spots I was covering.

I'd highly recommend if you throw down seed to keep it covered lightly with dirt/straw etc. and keep it watered daily.

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...I'd highly recommend if you throw down seed to keep it covered lightly with dirt/straw etc. and keep it watered daily.</font color=blue>

We need to bring in some topsoil anyway.. maybe I could spread the seed and then spread the topsoil over it? Or would the seed be likely to be too deep then?

Thanks for the advice...

 

[kofronj]

Bob,

Don't spread topsoil over the grass seed. Ideally, you should spread the seed, and then lightly roll (or compact the seedbed by other means), to get good germination. A light layer of straw will help hold the seed (but make sure that your straw mulch is "weed-free").

 

[ForceTen]

I've actually had good luck with spreading the topsoil, then agitating the soil with something to mix in the seed (but no to deeply). Something like a chain (flexible) harrow or a piece of chain link fence would be ideal.

Steve

 

[Egon]

Bob:

Grass seed shouldn't be to deep. Some germinates on the surface. Spread it and harrow but wait till the mud season is over.

Now if you don't want that new spreader just send it up to me cause all I got is a bucket, two small hands and about 7 acres to do.

Did you get the truck?

 

[Bob_Trevithick]

<font color=blue>...I've actually had good luck with spreading the topsoil, then agitating the soil with something to mix in the seed (but no to deeply).</font color=blue>

Would spreading the seed on the new topsoil, and then lightly tilling it.. say going down only an inch or so, possible work? My friend has a roller to be pulled behind the tractor.. maybe that would be better?

Thanks all!

 

[Egon]

Bob:

Roller would work perfectly. Wouldn't have to till it.

Egon