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Tuesday, May 12, 2015

GRASS SEEDING SUGGESTIONS


Anyone have suggestions for grass seeding the newly cleared area?


It's big and freshly turned, and we're getting regular rain.  Since we've never seeded a lawn from scratch, just wondering the process.  


It doesn't have to match, heck, I wouldn't even know what to match it too, farm grass is just a random assortment of green things growing close to each other, ha.  We just need more green stuff and less brown stuff!


2nd Family's "R" leveled it for us with the grader tractor attachment and so I think it's ready.  I've seen that spray on grass seed but pretty sure that doesn't work 'as seen on tv', LOL.  Scott's also makes one that is coated with nutrients and a method to keep it moist by holding water until it germinates.  Not sure if just throwing some out by hand would work or if I need a spreader or what would work best.  For now, we'd just like some green.

UPDATE:  We had a random thought tonight while reading your comments and looking at the pictures...what about anything edible?  Perhaps some sort of wheat type crop (not wheat of course but some other edible/usable grass?).  We could put regular green grass in the foreground portion of that middle picture but what about that big open space, anything we could plant that we could eat?

Thoughts?


26 comments:

  1. Better listen to someone in your area. Seems like Johnson grass prevalent in your area, but a fescue usually works for all scenarios. The area probably will grow in by itself, but I know you don't want to wait. I am intrigued by that spray on stuff, because it stays put, feeds and you wouldn't have to put hay over it which will have weed seeds in it. I like the wildflower/meadow idea.

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    1. Great idea, I will ask around too. That spray stuff is neat but I just wonder about how well it works. Wildflowers is a good idea, though I guess that's the same process, seeds, straw, etc.

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  2. you could be like me and just have solid dandelions. those little buggers are resistant to everything. they never turn brown, they don't need to be fertilized and they come back in even bigger numbers each year. one of these days if i disappear, look for my body under the goddamn dandelions.

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    1. HA, that made me laugh out loud. They do look pretty 'en masse' huh? LOL!

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    2. jaz@octoberfarm -- Love your philosophy. I, too, am laughing out loud.

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  3. You probably ought to go for sod or plugs of it, it will fill in fast. The seeds you see on TV will not grow where you are. St Augustine is the most popular for your area.

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    1. St Augustine is what most everyone has in these parts and I don't think you can get that in seeds, or at least to grow easily from seeds. Plugs is a good idea, I didn't think about. Thanks!

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  4. If you really want a good coverage of grass; go with Buffalo grass seed.
    http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/turf/publications/buffalo.html

    http://www.seedsource.com/catalog/detail.asp?product_id=2001

    http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/grass-seed/buffalo-grass-seed.html

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    1. One thing I did forget to mention is when putting down grass seed; cover with straw. It helps keep the soil warm and moist for the seeds to germinate plus will also keep the birds from eating the seed.
      Found this link for you on laying the straw.
      http://homeguides.sfgate.com/put-straw-grass-seed-69669.html

      Step by step on planting grass seed. It's pretty detailed but some of the steps you can skip like going over it with a roller, etc. We always just used a garden rake and raked the soil and the seed and then covered with straw
      http://www.garden-counselor-lawn-care.com/planting-grass-seed.html

      Another link on the basics of sowing seed
      http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-a-Lawn-Easily

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    2. We need to put you on the 'research' staff, ha. Thanks!! Great links and I had never heard of buffalo grass, will check that out. Those Aggies know their stuff (contrary to what UT grads might say, lol, inside Texas joke for those elsewhere).

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  5. We've overseeded our lawn a few times....determine if you need sun, partial sun or shade grass....scratch up the earth a bit with a rake...hand broadcast the seed....sprinkle with water every day that it doesn't rain...cross you fingers (hey, it helps).

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    1. Will do, I was thinking that when we have another week of steady rainy days (which we do get) that would be a good time to put down some seeds. Thanks!!

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  6. what about white or red clover? i must admit that i love white and red clover! it will fill in the space beautifully and eventually take over all of your grass. which is a good thing because bees love clover! just a thought.

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Clover? I never thought about that. I like that idea, though this is far from the bees, but of course they do travel a long way anyway. Thanks, I will check into that. Stay tuned!

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  7. If you are after coverage in a hurry, perhaps you could consider the 'turf' route. Otherwise I would talk to a local supplier and find out what grass type best suits your area. And spread it, cover it with straw, and hope. It always seems to be patchy when grown from seed.

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    1. I hadn't heard of the straw but it makes sense...thanks. We don't 'have' to be in a hurry, but I don't want it to be muddy for too long. ;-)

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  8. Why not seed with wildflowers, or a clover mix? Then it will fill in quickly, and help provide for your bees... an excellent twofer!

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    1. Another clover suggestion (the wildflowers I love too) I like the idea of a twofer!! Thanks!

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  9. When we had a new house with nothing but dirt surrounding it, a company came out and scattered grass seed and put a bit of straw over it. They did it early in the spring. It rained a lot, and we ended up with a beautiful yard. I can't grow much grass here in Florida. My back yard doesn't get sun, and when it rains, the "yard" turns into Lake Junebug, which kills the little bit of grass that tries to grow occasionally. I like the suggestion from Jacquelineand to seed with wildflowers or clover.

    Love,
    Janie.

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    1. I had a comment, it disappeared. I have better luck with "plugging" or "sprigging", transplanting a small clump of grass taken randomly from your lawn and plant it. It will fill in, the speed depends, of course, on the conditions and how closely you transplant. A combination of plugging and seeds would work even faster.

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  10. Here are 2 excellent articles on turf grass by Texas A&M's research:
    https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/answers4you/publications/Turf%20Selection%20SCS-2009-05lr.pdf
    and
    https://aggieturf.tamu.edu/answers4you/selection.html

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  11. You wanted flowers----forget the grass you will just have to water, then mow. What about a wild flower garden? You could scatter wildflower seeds and let nature take its course. It could be beautiful.

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  12. Strawberry patch?

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  13. I vote for wildflowers or strawberries, great ideas.

    Angie

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  14. Okay, you have all those "Inspiration Thursday" pictures that you shared with us - time to use them? Since this spot is in an out of the way area from the house, I might plant some raspberry bushes along the fence line as long as Mooie the cow won't be on the other side. Maybe, put in a raised round strawberry bed. I would consider some plants that will keep your bees happy and add a special flavor to the honey they produce. Like the flavor of thyme in your honey? Try creeping thyme if it grows in your area - it smells gorgeous and is usually a low maintenance plant. M

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  15. Bare ground just begs to be planted! Experience has taught me that if we don't, nature will. Lots of good suggestions here and I'd definitely vote for something your bees will like too. :)

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