planting Bermuda
Marklin – posted 06 May 2001 15:53
Was wondering if someone could tell me if you can use a spreader to plant bermuda seed and just let it overtake existing grass. Someone told me once, I think, that it could be done this way instead of tilling.
seed – posted 07 May 2001 08:13
Marklin, to get seed to grow, some kind of ground preparation is needed before planting. Sometimes called “seedbed” preparation, this does several things.
The most important thing is to loosen up the soil and give it surface roughness, so the seed can fall into small crevices or can be covered when it is lightly raked. This covering to a depth of about three seed diameters, or maybe 1/4 inch for many grass seeds, keeps the seed moist and also ensures that when the seed germinates it will be anchored. Seed planted on hard ground will not grow very well. One kind of tool for loosening up the soil for grass seed, that may work for the homeowners, is the “power rake” which is actually meant for removing thatch. If it can be set low enough to scarify the ground, that may be sufficient. In contrast, rototilling usually goes too deep and requires levelling. But, if the ground is very hard, the bigger equipment is needed. Commercial grass planters usually have big equipment that can scarify the surface without causing ruts.
The second reason for seedbed preparation is to demolish weeds on the surface, so the grass seed has free reign for a few weeks.
The third reason for seedbed preparation is to provide good air movement to the roots. That will help the turf later once its roots deepen. Normally the aeration is a big factor in heavy, clayey or loamy soil, but not a big factor in sand soil.
The fourth reason for seedbed preparation is to incorporate slowly mobile things like lime or phosphorus. That may not apply to all soils.
Seedbed preparation can cause a huge mess; rocks and other debris are brought to the surface that may not be a problem in the root zone, but have to be raked out once they are brought up. So, usually a light preparation to loosen the soil so seeds have a place to fall, and to destroy weeds (points #1 and #2 above) cover most of the requirements.
Once the seedbed is prepared, almost any tool to distribute seed can work. For fine seed such as bermudagrass, spreading by hand may be easier and more effective in small areas than machines.
Phil
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