how to cover seed?

[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*