Fertilizing and lawn seeding??

[MrZukerman]

I have just over two acres of yard I am planning on adding fertilizer, lime and grass seed to in the next few weeks, I am planing on having the fertilizer company mix all the stuff together and put in the buggy so I can spread it all at one time. I was wondering if (I think it would be better) to some how lightly tear up or open up the soil a little, then after spreading everything use a roller or cultipacker if I can locate one to run back over the yard and press it all back down. Anyone have any suggestions on what to use to run over the yard before I spread everything, I was thinking of trying to set my disc as straight as it will go so it really don't cut very much, but not sure that would be best.

 

[bironacad]

Can't say but where I am in Canada it sounds great that you can be thinking about grass seed.:thumbsup:

 

[RalphVa]

Have you done a soil test to know how much lime you need?

Also, I'd be inclined to use something like 0-#-# (e.g. no nitrogen) to help and not to harm the seed. Sometimes seed contact with nitrogen fert kills the sprout when it emerges.

I'd be inclined to just use a straight disc, since you appear to have one. I'd use it before. Then spread the seed, lime, etc. If you have a roller, run it over the soil to press the seed in good contact with the soil. Otherwise, I'd be inclined to buy some compost and spread it over the seed, lime, etc. Just a thin layer.

Ralph

 

[Kays Supply]

I use an aerator before doing yard work. It kills two birds with one shot. Since I started using my aerator I have seen a great improvement in my yard.

 

[RalphVa]

A good idea. A local rental equipment place near here has at least 3 different kinds to rent: a pull behind one that you put weights on, a motor driven one that is fairly heavy, a 3 ph hitch one that is VERY heavy.

Ralph

 

[JFS2295]

From what I've heard, lime and fertilizer should not be applied at the same time. They need a few weeks apart.

 

[MMagis]

From what I've heard, lime and fertilizer should not be applied at the same time. They need a few weeks apart.

There's no reason to separate. Lime will take MUCH longer to do it's job than fertilizer. It will probably be fall before you notice the effects from the lime.

 

[Grandad4]

There's no reason to separate. Lime will take MUCH longer to do it's job than fertilizer. It will probably be fall before you notice the effects from the lime.

But you have to make sure the rate of application is correct for each when you mix up the blend. And if the weight and granularity of the materials being blended is very different, you can get an uneven spread. Fine fertilizer particles and coarse lime granules won't get thrown the same distance in a rotary spreader, for example. Likewise for mixing fert and grass seed.

 

[MrZukerman]

Never thought about a aerator, what about this pelitized lime, is it any good?

 

[jenkinsph]

But you have to make sure the rate of application is correct for each when you mix up the blend. And if the weight and granularity of the materials being blended is very different, you can get an uneven spread. Fine fertilizer particles and coarse lime granules won't get thrown the same distance in a rotary spreader, for example. Likewise for mixing fert and grass seed.

Pretty much my feelings, I would put the lime out with the buggy and use a smaller tow behind spin spreader for the fertilizer and seeds. The small spin spreaders that you can pull with a riding mower work well enough for this purpose. These small spreaders are about $250 and can be used a few times a year to put out seed, fertilizer, granular bug killers and Ironite.

I also use a smal tow behind drop seeder/spiker aerator that Deere has to fill in spots as needed. Major benefit is with a drop seeder you can be more surgical in seed and fertilizer placement. This spreader is about $450 approx.

 

[MMagis]

But you have to make sure the rate of application is correct for each when you mix up the blend. And if the weight and granularity of the materials being blended is very different, you can get an uneven spread. Fine fertilizer particles and coarse lime granules won't get thrown the same distance in a rotary spreader, for example. Likewise for mixing fert and grass seed.

You're right, I worded that wrong. What I meant was there wasn't a reason to separtate them by weeks. Personally, I think that seed, fertilizer, and lime should all be spread separately for that very reason. That's actually an important thing no one has mentioned yet. Grass seed is not going to spread the same as fertilizer or lime. It most definitely should be spread by itself.

 

[jenkinsph]

You're right, I worded that wrong. What I meant was there wasn't a reason to separtate them by weeks. Personally, I think that seed, fertilizer, and lime should all be spread separately for that very reason. That's actually an important thing no one has mentioned yet. Grass seed is not going to spread the same as fertilizer or lime. It most definitely should be spread by itself.

Yes, I should have made it clear to put these out individually, the heavy granules will spread a much wider swath than the seeds. My dad and I use to use large fertilizer trucks to spread lime and fertilizer. We used a 3pt spin spreader to broadcast the seeds. I have one of these now but haven't used it much, mostly to spread Ironite.

 

[Grandad4]

As someone who has mis-communicated a time or two myself (my wife would add, "daily" to that ), it's not a problem, guys. Quite honestly, it never occurred to me to blend two different items to spread them simultaneously. I didn't want to say it was wrong, but figured someone should mention what you'd need to sort out when doing it. It seems easier and less prone to error to disperse each product individually.

 

[Kays Supply]

I made a bracket for a 50 gal drum on top of my aerator. I can add water to get just the right depth. I then drain it , to make it easier to handle in the shop.

 

[Toddao]

All I do is cut the stuff, it grows fine by itself. Don't water or pick up the clippings .

 

[Carykong]

I used a disc at our rugby field prior to overseed last year. The disc was a little bit too aggressive but might work,like your discribe,if you alighn the disc in line with your tow direction. Worth a try. Post back.

I switched to a plug aerator this spring for our rugby field just last week. Much better results without harming the grass or disturbing the basic smooth grade of the playing surface.