growing grass

[kch]

To plant grass seed for new lawns, what is the best method of planting the seed using a tractor?
A. Just speading it with a 3 pt. spreader and covering it with straw?
B. Using a primary seeder?
C. Using a overseeder?
D. ?

Also if you use a seeder or overseeder that actually plant the seed do you still have to cover it with straw?

Hydroseeding..........In the new residential community all the backyards were hydroseeded and either none to only 20% of the grass grew. So other then hydro seeding what method is best?

Thanks!

 

[hazmat]

<font color=blue>Hydroseeding..........In the new residential community all the backyards were hydroseeded and either none to only 20% of the grass grew. So other then hydro seeding what method is best? </font color=blue>

DON'T use that company. Actually, Hydroseeding usually has a higher success rate than normal seeding. They mix the fert & the mulch in with the seed. The water pressure pushes the seed into the ground to insure contact w/ the soil. The couple of places near me that did it this fall have fantastic looking new grass.

If you seed with a spreader, you need to rake the seed in or roll it to insure soil-seed contact.

I just used this method (plus the straw) last weekend. No grass yet, but should see some next week.

 

[theboman]

Just add water and more water and more water.

 

[Rubintropfen]

I'm with Hazmat. Hydroseeding should work great unless it is sprayed on rock, or if it fails to get sufficient water. A local contractor in my area says new homeowners are the worst about watering their new grass because they think the builder or landscaper is responsible to fix it if it doesn't grow. He says the builders he works with put it in the contract as "planting grass", not "growing grass". He will re-seed if he did a poor job, but not if the homeowner fails to water it.

I have seeded several acres of turf by grading and raking a day or so before it is going to rain. Then spreading seed and rolling it in lightly. If it is going to be dry then watering is a must, and mulching helps a lot.

 

[hickmo]

I have a Woods\Gill str48 aerator/seeder. It aerates while seeding.But if it is too wet, the mud will stick to the rollers. Go to the Woodsonline site to see one. 3 pt hitch hook up. It weighs about 690 lbs empty. It stirs up the soil and drops seed in front of a rear roller with pins/spikes. That ensures good seed to ground contact. I have had very good luck with this unit, and the germination rate is better than broadcasting method. As a rule, cool season grasses must be in the ground but usually as long as it is on the dirt, it will thrive. With this implement I don't have to use straw, because it's like a seed drill. A lot of the seeds are covered by dirt.

 

[jimgerken]

My method: Prepare bare ground by leveling and then drag with harrow untill it has a perfect smooth surface with some loose soil on top to catch the seed. Now, blend your grass seed (use some with mostly perenial seed, don't waste your time and effort on "Fast and Fine" kind of stuff that's all annual and will die this winter), blend with ground corn. This helps spread the seed further and makes it easier to apply evenly without wasting in clumps. Dump it into your broadcast spreader and start out on a small setting. Go over it all once and then you'll know if you need to open it up more. Do it all again in a cross-hatch pattern. Now drag it again, or rake it by hand. Finally, roll it. This gives the seed very good ground contact. Now you must water it and keep it moist. The straw could help keep it moist but it is a mess and blocks sunlight. I prefer to set up a sprinkler(s), hose them all up, and put a sprinkler controller on it. I found a controller that lets me set the duration and frequency, such as every 2 hours for 15 minutes, repeating until the battery goes dead (half a season). If it drys out, no grass.

 

[frank_f15]

i just went thro this this summer, had to grade and seed an area that had my new septic system , jimgerken pretty much says it all, don't use fast grow. won't last! and once u seed it(along with starter fertilizer) keep it moist, not wet! keep it watered often and for short periods. usually takes about 5 to 7 days for the sprigs to show, although this late in the year might be a little longer. also in late fall give it another shot of fertilizer to help the roots during the winter. do not over fertilize.