? on Preparing ground for sowing grass seed

[dannylink]

I cleaned out my pond about 3 yrs ago and the contractor hauled the sludge up into my field and dunped it in pile - about 25 to 30 dump truck loads. This past spring I hired a frount end loader and had these piles smoothed out. Now, this fall I want to plant grass seed on this area. My question is, this area has sat all summer and gotten somewhat hard on top. Would I be better off running a hare over the area or a disk to break up the top so seeds will not just sit on top and blow or run off when it rains? An old timer I know suggested the running the hare over it, seeding the ground, and running the hare over the ground again to bury the seed.

Any suggestions

Thanks

 

[john_bud]

I don't recognize the term "Hare". But, you should break the ground up. Before you do that, get a good sample of the dirt (a fist full from 15-20) different spots and have a soil sample analyzed. You probably have to add lime and other nutrients. Add them, then disc the ground to mix it all up, add the seed and if you can cultipack it down for good ground contact and fast germination.

jb

 

[deereguy]

If it is from the bottom of the pond, it is probably silt and VERY rich soil to grow grass in. You should still do a soil test and see if anything should be added to the soil (I don't think it will need much if anything). The "hare" I believe is really a harrow, to scratch the soil before planting the seed, then spread the seed and use a roller or something (cultipacker) to make good seed to soil contact.

 

[dannylink]

deereguy

thanks for the response. The dirt is from the bottom of the pond. I will use my "harrow" to scratch the surface. Plan on putting down straw after sowing seed

 

[MarkV]

I’d break it up with a harrow or tiller but you will not have to go to deep with sediment from a pond bottom. It will have enough organic matter to allow roots to penetrate just fine. This is a good time to mix fertilizer in the soil also. If it were me after seeding I would use a drag (log, chain link fence, box spring, farm gate) to lightly cover the seed with soil. I think using the harrow after seeding will cover the seed too deeply. A roller or cultipacker would be good to provide soil to seed contact though I’ve seen good results without rolling. If the area is not too big you can just drive you tractor back and forth and let the tires do the rolling. And of course as any farmer will tell you the final step is hope for rain.

MarkV