how to cover seed?

[BrettW]

Hi, I am going to planting a lot of grass seed soon. I can get it down but need to drag dirt over it. I don't have any fence to pull behind and dont want to move the seed around very much. I do have a landscape rake that I can turn backwards. Would that work or just move everything too much. thanks, brett w

 

[brittsnbirds]

Yes, but be sure to pack the seed when your done.

I put down a lot of seed over the years. My 455 a small disc, then my old section of drag harrow. Put the seed down then went back over it like a mad man with the harrow, in all directions. After I was finished with the harrow, I used my tractor to pack the seed down. If I had a roller I would have used it.

When the seed came up it looked as though I drilled it, little rows all over.

Worked great!

 

[Soundguy]

Too bad you don't have a drag harrow.. they work great. I notice you mentioned no fence either.

I don't have a landscape rake.. though guess one would work.

Let us know what the grass looks like when it comes up.

Soundguy

 

[thcri]

I have used a drag on a few occasions and has worked great. Best to drag in going both directions so you would going over it twice. Then once you start seeing grass come up hit it with a shot of dry nitrogen and the grass will take off.

murph

 

[grandad]

I'll second that comment about using the tractor to pack the seed so it gets better contact with the soil. First time I planted an area that had been tilled, all the places where there was a tire rut grew out better than the rest. Packing it down like that also makes for more even finished lawn.

 

[thcri]

When I was younger I always noticed that the corn behind the wheel always came up first. My Ag teacher told me the reason for that was due to the fact the seed is not as deep there. Most seed companies or agriculturist will tell you they don't like compacting the soil. Now I am not a farmer so I won't bet my last nickel on it, I am only passing on what I remember from working on farms and in school.

murph

 

[ikline]

I picked up a short section of chain link fence at a Junk yard to use at a friends house. Call around you might get lucky like I did. I think I paid like $10.

 

[sweettractors]

These machines (Cultipackers) were designed to incorperate seed at the correct depth for maximum germination and in addition, firm the seedbed to help prevent soil erosion.--Ken Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *Used Cultipackers in Stock*

 

[Bowhunter]

Or you might stop by a construction site and ask them if you can raid their dumpster. Especially at a school project where they will be putting up fencing for ball fields, there will probably be some scraps left over.

 

[Rch]

I've planted about 4 acres of grass, large and small patches. What I've evolved to is to till in fertilizer until level and fluffy. I broadcast the seed with a hand broadcaster which leaves obvious foot prints then I roll-it with a 4' water filled roller behind a lawn mower ( narrow footprint) No straw and alot of gentle watering. If I had one I would use a drill with a cultipacker behind it but this simulates it by trapping the seed in the superficial layer of dirt so that the watering doesn't move it around and the birds don't see it. I like red creeping fescue but local conditions dictate seed choice.