Fertiliser spreader & seeding

[cityfarma]

I am about to purchase a spreader and as a learner, I am asking for advice from the pro's. I want to use it to spread fertiliser and seed.

I want to put in some pasture for cutting for hay. I have harrowed the ground last spring and now want to prepare and plant. I do not have the equipment yet so would appreciate any advice on types and usage.

If there are any readers from Australia, please let me know what type of pasture is best.

Cityfarma

 

[mark.r]

I am about to purchase a spreader and as a learner, I am asking for advice from the pro's. I want to use it to spread fertiliser and seed.

I want to put in some pasture for cutting for hay. I have harrowed the ground last spring and now want to prepare and plant. I do not have the equipment yet so would appreciate any advice on types and usage.

If there are any readers from Australia, please let me know what type of pasture is best.

Cityfarma

I just did exactly what you are doing. I overseeded all of my pastures for our horses, one of which had to be totally renovated due to it being virtually destroyed over the winter. Long story short, I spread the fertilizer using a 950lbs broadcast spreader, I'm having my co-op spread the lime since it is more than I care to do on my own (8 tons). Finally, I spread a mix of paddock seed which consisted of the following:

27.59% Benchmark Orchardgrass
19.98% Polim Perennial Ryegrass
19.77% Kentucky Bluegrass
14.97% Select Tall Fescue
9.96% Clair Timothy
4.99% Will Landino Clover

Now as far as the acutally process, I had my soil test first then the fertilizer was put down and it rained within minutes, which was great. About 2 weeks later I spread the seed early morning using about 175lbs for about 3.75 acres. That is quite abit but I had a lot of really bare spots so I did more than necessary. I followed the seeding with a spiked tooth harrow to help cover the seed. Now it was up the mother nature. So far we have gotten some rain but need some more. That said, I must have done something right because the grass is coming up. I am still waiting for my lime.

Click on the following link and scroll down down to see the pasture renovation. The last picture was taken this past Sunday. I went down there today after two days of rain and you can see a lot more growth.

Pastures

 

[cityfarma]

Thanks Mark. I love the mud patch! Fortunately my ground does not get that muddy. I will wait until I get enough rain to get the ground wet and let the weeds grow. Then I will run over it with spring tyne harrows to kill the weeds. To break the clods I will drag a couple of wire bed bases around and also use them to cover the seed.

The seed merchant suggested a mixture of clover and ryegrass. This would then be fertilised with superphosphate.

Now all I have to do is drop a few more hints around so "the boss" gets used to the idea of me spending more money on more of my toys!

Cityfarma

 

[RalphVa]

Don't seed and fertilize at the same time. The fert will burn the new seed-sprouted roots and kill the new grass wanting to grow.

Ralph

 

[mark.r]

Don't seed and fertilize at the same time. The fert will burn the new seed-sprouted roots and kill the new grass wanting to grow.

Ralph

I have heard this before and have never done this in my pastures. However that said, it makes no sense to me. Why do they make starter fertilizer then? I have done it for new lawns and it works fine.