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.

 

[ThistleKop]

When planting large acreages of pasture grass, I get the soil in shape for sowing and call my local fertilizer spreading folks. I have them blend in the proper amounts of seed with the fertilizer and spread it all at the same time. I've never had a significant problem with seed germination. After the fert/seed are spread I follow with a wheel disc and cultipacker. Set the wheel disc where it will just touch the soil. You will usually get a stand of most pasture grasses without covering or firming the soil but the procedure described above will get the grass up quicker with a better stand.

 

[grandad]

Doesn't follow what I was taught either, but it does seem to improve the germination rate if you are broadcast seeding like I do. Typically, row-crops are different, but most lawn/pasture types of seed seem to want a very shallow soil cover anyhow, so once the seed is in, any harrowing you do that churns more than an inch or so is probably not a good thing. Using a drill is better if you have one.

 

[bigpete]

Tine dethtchers will work also. Both to prep the seed bed and incorporate the seed.

I spent less than $3 on nuts and bolts and customized an older front dethatcher from my late, great 445 JD garden tractor so it would work with my front hydraulics. Pic atttached.

 

[jsouth85]

Hello Brett,
Glad to see your post! I was wondering how you were doing with your yard preparation. Sounds like you've tackled the weeds and are ready to grow some fescue. If you can't find a section of chain link fence you can try a piece of burlap cloth about 10-12 ft and fold it over in half. Nail it to a couple landscape timbers and pull it behind your tractor. It works fairly well and is very inexpensive. The guys at Farmers Exchange in Rock Hill usually let me have it for a couple dollars or sometimes free. You could try an old piece of carpet in the same way. I think you will be fine if you just sow the seed after the upcoming rain this weekend, its going to be alot of it by the way, keep the nitrogen on it this fall and just watch it grow. The problem with the red clay soil is it compacts very easy and may cause you more problems if you try to press the seed into it. Also remember to follow the directions on the bag of seed, over application is not wise because the seeds that do germinate will compete for nutrients in the soil. In short, more is not better. Good luck...jsouth85

 

[kensfarm]

Ken's right.. I used one the other week to pack down the seed bed I had planted w/ Purple Top Turnips & Kale.. on the section I had used it.. the seed came up in only 3 days.. a section I had missed was only sparsley coming up.. after a week the whole section was a new growth lime green color.. while on the section I missed.. you could still see the dirt.

I'm growing the turnips & kale for late forage for my steers.. but I saw 3 bucks the other evening.. eyeing it up.

 

[Soundguy]

Ken..

We use a larger version of that same machine. Great for seeding the roadside.

Soundguy

 

[sweettractors]

<font color="blue">We use a larger version of that same machine </font>
Yes, they are a good multipurpose tool to have. We get a few used 15 ft hydraulic In LIne (for transport) pull type occasionally. They are extremely heavy and expensive to ship.--Ken Sweet

Sweet Farm Equipment LLC *New and Used 2 and 3 Bottom Turning Plows*