How to broadcast seed evenly

[Bigmuddyriver]

I am in the process of seeding 7 acres of my property with wildflowers for polinators. I was planning on renting a broadcast seeder from a local seed store and am wondering how to make sure that I get the seed evenly spread. I have researched and found that the first pass over the field should only spread half of the seed. The second pass should run perpendicular to the first pass to spread the remainder of the seed. I'm not sure of the rate or width that I need to apply the seed but will be able to get that when I pick up the seed and spreader. This seed is very expensive and my greatest concern is that I will run out of seed before I get the field covered. I have heard that there are aps available for your phone that use the gps and guide you through the field. My neighbor has a gps on his tractor and used it to spray the field. I would rather not have to bother him to spread the seed and would like to do it myself. Sorry for the long post but any help from the forum would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I like this app and I think you should try it too:

‎Speedometer 55 Pro. GPS kit.

‎A high quality Speedometer, GPS tracker and trip cost monitor for iPhones and cellular iPads. ∙∙ When you go over a preset speed limit, the large digits change colour from green to red and the device emits a loud sound to alert you! ∙∙ The cost monitor shows you the current cost of the...

apps.apple.com

Speedometer - Speed Limit Alert and Trip Cost Monitor

This is an app that I use. I do lots of fertilizer and herbicide applications on athletic fields and it works well for me.
I suggest you start with your spreader at a very low setting. Put a little seed in it and see how far you get until you run out.
if you cover the whole area, open it up some and cover it again. I will often cover a football field 3 or 4 times when spreading fertilizer.

 

[rswyan]

I've seen wildflower seed suppliers suggest mixing the seeds - some of which are very small - with sand:

HOW TO PLANT WILDFLOWERS​

Clear the area and work the soil as best you can before planting your seeds. Don't panic when some weeds sprout along with the flowers, this will happen when the soil is worked.

We recommend mixing your seeds with sand - 5 parts sand to 1 part seeds. This allows for a more even distribution and also provides a convenient way to mark which portions of the site have been seeded and which have not. For a smaller area, you can hand-broadcast the seeds. For larger areas, we recommend a seed spreader to create a better cast of the seeds.

After the seeds have been sown, lightly compress the seeds into the soil about 1/2" to protect from birds and wind.

From:

ALL PERENNIAL WILDFLOWER SEED MIX

 

[dusty3030]

Is the field already prepared? How are you going to cover seed once spread?
Might check and see if you can rent a drill. That would be the most accurate to plant and would get the best germination rate.
Local soil conservation service should have drills to rent and you usually just pay by the acre you used it.

 

[Bigmuddyriver]

I've seen wildflower seed suppliers suggest mixing the seeds - some of which are very small - with sand:




ALL PERENNIAL WILDFLOWER SEED MIX

I've seen wildflower seed suppliers suggest mixing the seeds - some of which are very small - with sand:



From:

ALL PERENNIAL WILDFLOWER SEED MIX

Yes. my seed supplier is mixing in rice hulls to help give an even spread. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Bigmuddyriver]

Is the field already prepared? How are you going to cover seed once spread?
Might check and see if you can rent a drill. That would be the most accurate to plant and would get the best germination rate.
Local soil conservation service should have drills to rent and you usually just pay by the acre you used it.

Yes field is prepared. My conservation service says that a drill is OK but unnecessary. I plan to seed in December and they say that the freezing and thawing of the ground over winter is enough to get the seeds covered. I have a neighbor who has used this method and got great results. He also swears by planting by the signs which I intend to do.

 

[Bigmuddyriver]

I like this app and I think you should try it too:

‎Speedometer 55 Pro. GPS kit.

‎A high quality Speedometer, GPS tracker and trip cost monitor for iPhones and cellular iPads. ∙∙ When you go over a preset speed limit, the large digits change colour from green to red and the device emits a loud sound to alert you! ∙∙ The cost monitor shows you the current cost of the...

apps.apple.com

Speedometer - Speed Limit Alert and Trip Cost Monitor
View attachment 718815
This is an app that I use. I do lots of fertilizer and herbicide applications on athletic fields and it works well for me.
I suggest you start with your spreader at a very low setting. Put a little seed in it and see how far you get until you run out.
if you cover the whole area, open it up some and cover it again. I will often cover a football field 3 or 4 times when spreading fertilizer.

Wow that looks like a great ap. I'm going to get it and do a couple of test runs. OK if I contact you privately if i have questions?

 

[dodge man]

I have a 3 point spreader. There are so many ways to control it. How wide the gate is open, how high you have it, engine rpms(controls how far it’s thrown) and your ground speed. It just takes practice, which in your case might get expensive. I personally wouldn’t mess with an app. You should pay attention to what’s going not your phone.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Wow that looks like a great ap. I'm going to get it and do a couple of test runs. OK if I contact you privately if i have questions?

Yes

 

[dieselscout80]

I like this app and I think you should try it too:

‎Speedometer 55 Pro. GPS kit.

‎A high quality Speedometer, GPS tracker and trip cost monitor for iPhones and cellular iPads. ∙∙ When you go over a preset speed limit, the large digits change colour from green to red and the device emits a loud sound to alert you! ∙∙ The cost monitor shows you the current cost of the...

apps.apple.com

Speedometer - Speed Limit Alert and Trip Cost Monitor
View attachment 718815
This is an app that I use. I do lots of fertilizer and herbicide applications on athletic fields and it works well for me.
I suggest you start with your spreader at a very low setting. Put a little seed in it and see how far you get until you run out.
if you cover the whole area, open it up some and cover it again. I will often cover a football field 3 or 4 times when spreading fertilizer.

That looks interesting, but when look at the app in Appl’s store it says it tracks your location even when not using the app.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

That looks interesting, but when look at the app in Appl’s store it says it tracks your location even when not using the app.

I think that can be turned off.

 

[Fallon]

That looks interesting, but when look at the app in Appl’s store it says it tracks your location even when not using the app.

If you aren't paying for a product, you are the product. Can say the same thing for TBN itself though. How much privacy, tracking or just your eyebals & attention for ads are you willing to give up.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

dusty3030 has the right idea - a seed drill. From Applewood Seed the following "For seeding large areas, i.e., over one acre, drill seeding is recommended. A seed drill drops seed in neatly spaced rows at a metered rate and has some means of compacting the soil over the seed. A no-till drill seeder cuts a small “V” opening in the soil and drops the seed in it, and then the soil is pressed over the “V” rows. No-till seeders do not require a prepared seed bed, whereas standard seed drills do. Specially designed no-till drills that can handle the different types of wildflower seeds are most effective. These typically have 3 seed boxes designed for fluffy seed, large seed, and small seed. Drill depth should be no more than 1/4 inch."
You are right - wild flower seed is expensive. As you purchase, be sure to check germination rate.
I would not use the broadcast spreader, nor would I rely on the freeze/thaw cycle to get the seeds buried. Either way leaves too much to chance on an expensive product. Birds eating the seeds that lie on top of the grass ? Seed rotting because it didn't gut buried due to a temperate winter ?
To borrow from HD (I think) "Do it once, Do it Right." You'll love those fields of wildflowers. Don't screw it up.

Once final comment. A nearby implement dealer rents seed drills for $12 an acre, with no requirement to purchase seed from the dealer. That gives you a price comparison, though goodness, he can't be making any money at that rate.