I have about 10 acres I plan to reclaim from cheatgrass, yellowstar thistle and a mess of other noxious broadleafs. My general plan is tillage, followed by herbicide and then a fall dormant seeding of some drought tolerant wheatgrass (streambank or intermediate wheatgrass) or bunch grass fescue (sheep or hard fescue). I'm in eastern Washington state, which is arid (unlike the rainy Seattle side) and get 12-14" of rain and I don't have irrigation. I think the success of this project hinges on making a good seedbed for the new grasses. I will probably do it in 2 acres increments to start and see how things go and which grasses work. I have a boxblade w/rippers and a drag (chain/blanket) harrow but have been considering getting a tiller to do this project. I don't need a golf course, but do need a good seedbed. I did a small area in which I ripped with the box blade, follwed by harrowing a couple of times and get a reasonable seed bed- still needs some firming before/after seeding and there are still some weeds sticking out of the ground. I plan to broadcast seed and then pull a length of chain link to bury it. My main questions are- #1 do you think it would be worth investing in a tiller (I've been shopping around- they ain't cheap!- but I could use it for a future garden site). I rented a tiller to put in my lawn and it turned out very well. #2- I'd love to use a Brillion seeder, but the only one I can rent is too heavy for my 33HP JD 3320- there is an overseeder in the area for rent- any advice on one of these versus broadcast and chainlink harrow? I've been reading a lot of previous threads, but any advice is appreciated- I have the time to work slow on the tiller if needed.
Implements for Pasture rehab
- Thread starter anojones
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Egon
Epic Contributor
I would suggest a roundup type spray and then overseed with the grass of you choice.
If the land requires cultivation figure on at least 1/2 year before seeding the grass of your choice. One year would be better.
Overseeding would require a harrow of some type and agreeable moisture content of the soil.
Check with the locals. They may be able to give better advice than us'uns from away.
If the land requires cultivation figure on at least 1/2 year before seeding the grass of your choice. One year would be better.
Overseeding would require a harrow of some type and agreeable moisture content of the soil.
Check with the locals. They may be able to give better advice than us'uns from away.
Kyle_in_Tex
Super Star Member
Tillers don't work that well on hard dry soil, especially hard clay. I'm with Egon, Use Round up, kill everything, mow it down as low as you can after it is dead, get a 5 or 6 foot offset disc and get after it. Don't disc until a few months later when your ready to seed.
