Soil preparation and equipment for seeding a new lawn

[MarkV]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I had the rough grading done by a pro due to a 50 year rain we had in June which flooded into the basement due to poor grading.



@markv - Great point about soil testing. Any thoughts of soil testing vs soil tester? From what I've read it's about the PH. These seem interesting: Soil Testing Kit - Growers Supply


Thanks all!

The advantage of having the soil test done through you extension agent would be that the report sent back will outline how much and what type of fertilizer you should use. It will also tell you how much lime you will need per acre if any. The test kit looks like a good thing to have though if you can't get to the extension office. By the way, if you do need lime you could start putting it down now. It takes time for it to work and it will not hurt if you till it in during your preparations.

MarkV

 

[Mark Page]

I have found the most important thing to do is get a soil test done. Our farm supply store does it for free through the University of MD. When the final grading was done around our house I was amazed at how deficient our soil was in nitrogen. I had 2 tons mixed up based on what the test called for and did the whole place. Every 4 years or so I repeat the process. That first year the Ph was pretty good but I've subsequently had to add lime. IMHO the second most important thing in establishing a new lawn is moisture, it really needs to be watered regularly to prosper.
Fescue has always worked well for me in lawns and orchard grass in the pastures.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree to get a soil test but not every area needs to add lime, in my area the ph runs about 7.3 to 7.9 I add pine needles to the top dressing for added acidity. In the deep south we added lime constantly to raise the ph. Most fertilizers will lower the ph a little over time which works for me.

 

[jomobco]

Thanks for the input. A soil test it is.

 

[flusher]

My roller was pretty small--like 30" wide--the kind you buy at the local hardware store. Fully loaded with water, my guess is it's about 200-250 lb tops. 900 lb for a small lawn tractor seems too much IMHO especially if your landscape area is sloped. But I'm not a pro so take that guesstimate for what it's worth.

Good luck

 

[jenkinsph]

A small roller such as flusher mentions is satisfactory for putting in your lawn as it is wide enough to span the space between the rear tires. I use a similar roller to compact seedbeds and heres a picture demonstrating the effect. You wan't the seeds to be in firm contact with the soil, that is what is needed for good germination.

 

[swick1]

I've seen rollers that were made of mesh screen before towed behind tillers. What is their purpose?

 

[bcjmmac]

Note about fescue grass. You mentioned horses so thought I'd add that some varities of fescue are infected with endophytes which are distasteful to bugs (chinch bugs, etc), which makes them resistent to the critters. This can cause problems with cattle & horses.
ID-144: Understanding Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue and Its Effect on Broodmares
"Most "old" fescue contains an internal plant fungus known as an endophyte (endo = inside + phyte = plant) that makes the plant more tolerant of environmental stresses but is detrimental to broodmares in the last third of gestation. Broodmares consuming endophyte-infected tall fescue during late gestation may experience prolonged gestation (as long as 13 to 14 months), dystocia or foaling difficulty, thickened placenta ("red bag" foal) or agalactia (a decrease or absence of milk production), and reduced breeding efficiency following parturition. Foals may be born weak or dead. Endophyte-infected tall fescue apparently causes few adverse effects in non-pregnant horses. "

 

[rswyan]

I've seen rollers that were made of mesh screen before towed behind tillers. What is their purpose?

Dunno about tillers .... but there's a small company (man and wife I think) that uses metal screen to build cylinders which can be opened and loaded with manure. The cylinder is installed and rides on a trailer, with trailer wheels rotating the cylinder/drum - a ground driven manure spreader. Pretty cool idea - from the video it's looks like it works pretty well (click on the image to see a larger one):

Home of the Stablers Rotary Manure Spreader​

 

[jomobco]

So I just finished tonight. Soil test revealed 7.9 ph so nothing too drastic. It had a bit less clay than I anticipated. I invested in a King Kutter 60" tiller and a 60" landscape rake plus a 36" landscape roller. I purchased some class 1 bio comp and spread about 1-2" across the area and tilled that in. I rolled the area then spread a horse pasture mix of brome, clover, timothy, and rye I got from Murdoch's. I finished with the landscape rake to cover and then rolled again to pack it in. I should know in a week or two. Thanks for everyones help and suggestions.