How to seed grass in large area?

[Canada_CT230]

I have about an acre of grass to seed. I've levelled the area.


1) Should I till up the top 1" with the tiller?

2) Need to figure out some way to 'rake' in the seed using the tractor.


Ideas?

 

[wushaw]

Just seed it and then run the tiller over it will work so you don't have to do it twice.

 

[ndb1202]

i seeded my front yard, then rented a 3 pt harley rake mixed it in and reseeded .
worked great for me

 

[Duffster]

Skip the tiller.

The best thing to use for seeding is a Brillion seeder.

 

[Highbeam]

I've done 5 acres with excellent success. Used perennial ryegrass and K31 tall fescue. You're making it too hard. All you do its broadcast the seed and it will grow fine. I used a whirlybird fertilizer spreader and just walked. No tilling or raking is required. It might not hurt and you might get a higher efficiency with some sort of fancy device but you also risk dragging the seed into piles or burying it too deep.

 

[eepete]

I would till the area before seeding. I use a shoulder strap whirlybird spreader device. As for raking in the seed, I drag my chain harrow ("chains", Tine Harrow) with my garden tractor (turf tires). One pass is more than enough. Some people use a old section of chain link fence with the leading edge attached to a 2x4, that works too. All this just barely mixes the dirt and seed together. Then I drive over the area with the garden tractor (JD 318, weight is about 800#) to pack it in. Finally, I cover it with hay or straw. Unrolling those big round bales is not fun, dirty, messy, buggy, etc. Small square wheat straw bales are easier, cleaner, but cost more. This time of year (spring to early summer) I think it's advisable to cover the ground. In mid to late fall, I've know people that have not covered and water a bit each day. A lot of that is region/weather/soil dependent, ask around in your area.

I also put down some 10-10-10 fertilizer at the same time I put down the seed (i.e. put down one, then put down the other).

Agree with Highbeam, know lots of people who don't even worry about mixing it in. Another good reason to ask around and see what works in your area. Maybee someday I'll do a test and see what works best.

Pete

 

[sal64]

i has seedad about 1 acre i just thew some lime down then threw the grass seed by hand then racked it in, then waterd it

 

[om21braz]

First I'd pH test the soil to see if it requires any supplement (lime, etc.) before seeding to ensure getting things right from the start. Especially as seed & fertilizer are far more expensive than they were just a few years ago. Methods of seeding vary greatly and many work well as others here have already explained. Good Luck and water well once it's coming up.

 

[dieseldom]

I believe the advice from our friends from North Carolina said it best! :thumbsup: Soil Test, amend soil if needed, till or very least Harleyrake (soil cultivator), Seed, chain drag, straw the plot then pray. Only you know the soil types for your region in Manitoba, CA but if you were to just throw some seed on my hard red clay/shale here in SE PA you'd be better off using that money at a local casino :laughing: All grass seed should be subsoiled to increase germination chances. Best of Luck

 

[Canada_CT230]

I don't believe the soil is a problem. I have grown smaller patches to full thick lush grass in about 3-4 weeks. There is lush grass right beside the area where I am seeding.

I am going to lightly till (1") and then broadcast the seed. I think I am going to use a piece of chain link fencing to rake it in.

I built my watering system today. I have no running water out there. My system includes a 300 gallon tank, my pickup and my water distribution boom. Total cost to build the boom was $15. Holes are drilled every 1". They are 1/8" holes.

 

[Jimmy Joe]

I love your dark soil, you left the rocks out of the picture. A brillion seeder would work great, I didn't have one when I did mine I broadcast seeded at half the rate then lightly dragged with a chain link fence behind the four wheeler then seeded the other half and rolled. I got lucky and didn't have to mulch the rain came just right.

 

[iplumb]

How have you gotten to this point? York rake? Looks good:thumbsup:

 

[tyler101]

I'll be planting 3 acres next week. Debating to use a Vari-slice or not on applying the seed. I also plan on spreading straw as well.

 

[Canada_CT230]

My process to was to use the box blade to move material towards the existing grass and slight slope towards the trees. Then I use the box blade and rough level the material. Finally I used a 16' railway crossing timber with two eyebolts screwed in it. I dragged the timber on a slight angle to finish level. It was heavy enough to carry & fill low spots but not too heavy to dig in and catch too much material.

 

[Canada_CT230]

All done now except to water the heck out of it.

I tilled about 1" deep and then broadcast 100 lbs of seed. An 8' piece of chain link fencing with a 2x4 on the front dragged across to rake the seed in. I then used a small roller that covered the space between the wheels of my lawn tractor and I drove around packing it down. Looks good.

I need to water it in today. It's going to take a lot of water. Rain showers in the forecast this weekend. I hope we get some.

 

[om21braz]

As soon as it sprouts, an inch of water per day won't be too much as long as it's draining well - it appears as if drainage will not be a problem.