Grass seed

MFDAC

MFDAC

Tractorologist
Member
I remember a discussion about how bad grass seed is anymore but don't remember where it is or who was posting on it. I am going to need to seed some dirt in the front yard where the new water line was dug in last December.

Do any of you folks have advice on what to buy? Don't need any fancy grass. Hoping to maybe get something at Runnings later this week. The rest of the yard is still basically the hay grass from when this place was still a pasture 53 years ago.

Thanks in advance!

DAC
 
I redid half of my front yard last year. Had to seed it twice to get any action. Whatever I used came from farm and fleet. Dont remember what it was either time. Part of the problem was I wound up trying to start it coming into the hottest days of the year. The 2nd time I waited til around Labor day, plus I tilled about 3/4 of a Dakota bed sized load of horse manure into the area that I'd tilled and it came out beautiful. Its got me wanting to do the other half of the front yard. But before that happens I have to do my side yard especially next to the driveway, in front of the shed. got some kind of unidentiable weeds overtaking over there that I have to burn down with Roundup, till under and start over. Hopefully by the time the hottest days are over (they haven't started yet) I'll have my current camper sold (we have another one still stored at the POs storage spot til this one goes/ nother story) and the village will have gotten over fighting with me to be able to get my driveway paved. I want the driveway done first, in case theres "collateral damage" to that side yard that ill then have to fix.
 
Before I had success with mine I had a few people telling me to go to the elevator in the next town and get some bulk seed from them, supposed to be pretty good seed. Some of the best I have used over the years, was some I had gotten from FS probably 30 years ago.
When Id done my backyard about 15 years ago, when Id brought in a dump truck load of dirt to level things off/ I had the best luck with Farm and fleets "pasture mix".
 
Grass seed germination rate goes down 10 fold by the year . 2-3 year old seed will be hit and miss at that point. Buy the freshest you can find. Cover with straw and constantly keep it watered you can grow it pretty much anytime in the spring, summer, fall..
 
Lily'sDad said:
I knew a guy who wanted the cheapest grass he could find. And he wondered why it didn't come back the next year.
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I'm not after the cheapest, LD, but the existing grass is not really grass. More of a hay and clover type. Don't need the nicest, just something that will handle the climate here.

dodge trucker said:
I redid half of my front yard last year. Had to seed it twice to get any action. Whatever I used came from farm and fleet. Dont remember what it was either time. Part of the problem was I wound up trying to start it coming into the hottest days of the year. The 2nd time I waited til around Labor day, plus I tilled about 3/4 of a Dakota bed sized load of horse manure into the area that I'd tilled and it came out beautiful. Its got me wanting to do the other half of the front yard. But before that happens I have to do my side yard especially next to the driveway, in front of the shed. got some kind of unidentiable weeds overtaking over there that I have to burn down with Roundup, till under and start over. Hopefully by the time the hottest days are over (they haven't started yet) I'll have my current camper sold (we have another one still stored at the POs storage spot til this one goes/ nother story) and the village will have gotten over fighting with me to be able to get my driveway paved. I want the driveway done first, in case theres "collateral damage" to that side yard that ill then have to fix.
Click to expand...
dodge trucker said:
Before I had success with mine I had a few people telling me to go to the elevator in the next town and get some bulk seed from them, supposed to be pretty good seed. Some of the best I have used over the years, was some I had gotten from FS probably 30 years ago.
When Id done my backyard about 15 years ago, when Id brought in a dump truck load of dirt to level things off/ I had the best luck with Farm and fleets "pasture mix".
Click to expand...
I remember reading about your grass seeding trials DT! Glad what you have done so far is working. I have 3 tillers around here and none work---LOL! My back probably can't take a walk behind anymore, but I do have one that is a tractor mount for the JD110. Have been thinking about converting it to a cat 0- 3point to put on the MF1450. Would have to mount a gas engine on it too. Don't have the JD mule drive so it is worthess for that tractor and not going to pay 3-500 bucks for one. Anyway that's a whole nuther story.

We have FleetFarm up in this part of the country. Checked the local website but didn't see anything called pasture mix. That sounds perfect for here since this acre was a pasture before it was developed 53 years ago. Not trying to do as big of an area as you have to do, it will probably be less than 800 sq ft, including a few small patches that have been needing help.

Just so happens that my brother-in-laws car club is having a show at Fleet Farm Saturday so maybe we will take the '55 and park it there too. Not sure is they have a quarantine area for the ugly though---LOL! I should probably get 2 tractor batteries check the grass seed and get a tube patch kit while up there. Loree will probably want to get a bunch of stuff too.

4getgto said:
Grass seed germination rate goes down 10 fold by the year . 2-3 year old seed will be hit and miss at that point. Buy the freshest you can find. Cover with straw and constantly keep it watered you can grow it pretty much anytime in the spring, summer, fall..
Click to expand...
Thank you for that advice Bill! Hope bags have dates on them! I had pretty much given up on planting until fall since I haven't been able to get it done so far. Should be able to get some square bales from a couple ranchers we know. Might not be straight straw though. Probably have alfalfa clover hay mix. Would any cover material of that type work? Wind here is awful as you know but keeping it wet should stick it down.

That leads me to one more issue! I better get the well back in service after pulling the pump for the winter! Hate to pay a water bill if I don't have to.

DAC
 
With your winds up there Doug it will be tough to hold straw in place. I personally wouldn't use anything other than straw for cover as there's to much weed seed in other hays.
Couple things...
You probably can get away without a cover as long as your seed has a very thin layer of dirt on top. Secret is to constantly keep it wet / damp...which is where is problem is when its 100° out and winds blowing 40 mph. That's where the straw cover comes in, helps hold the moisture in.
If you do decide to use a cover of sorts wet it down real good and then run a roller over it to pack it down a little and make it less wind resistant. May help. The wetter you keep it the better. Water adds weight.

I've never used it they do have a 'spray down" hydro seed. Almost like glue when sprayed on . A bit on the experience side but if you don't have a lot to do might be worth checking out. They have smaller cans you get at Ace or any home and garden place. You still have to constantly keep it wet or damp but think it would probably stay put for you...
 
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4getgto said:
With your winds up there Doug it will be tough to hold straw in place. I personally wouldn't use anything other than straw for cover as there's to much weed seed in other hays.
Couple things...
You probably can get away without a cover as long as your seed has a very thin layer of dirt on top. Secret is to constantly keep it wet / damp...which is where is problem is when its 100° out and winds blowing 40 mph. That's where the straw cover comes in, helps hold the moisture in.
If you do decide to use a cover of sorts wet it down real good and then run a roller over it to pack it down a little and make it less wind resistant. May help. The wetter you keep it the better. Water adds weight.

I've never used it they do have a 'spray down" hydro seed. Almost like glue when sprayed on . A bit on the experience side but if you don't have a lot to do might be worth checking out. They have smaller cans you get at Ace or any home and garden place. You still have to constantly keep it wet or damp but think it would probably stay put for you...
Click to expand...
Thanks again for more advice, Bill! Seems like I remember seeing straw "rolls" held together be some kind of a degradable mesh. Think contractors used some of that stuff at work. That may be an awful expensive deal to. May not even be available to the average Joe Shmoe.

Cvans said:
Seems like every time I plant grass we get a gully washer and it makes a mess of everything.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you have a sure fire way to end a drought Chris---LOL!

DAC
 
Years ago I bought a power seeder at a Brinly research shop surplus auction in Indiana just across the river from Louisville KY. Was missing the blades shaft but adapted one from another make. Never used it in the over 15+ years I've had it, but intend to soon, as a big patch in my yard is grassless due to weed takeover. The blades help send the seed slightly into the soil to prevent washout. Only gave $40 for it and the tag said only had 20 hours use. Self propelled hydro too. All works beautifully, but know it'll need carb cleaned again.
 
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