4Blade Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 How do you guys cover your seeds,,,,,Iam going to plant some clover this year and I have heard that it shouldnt be covered to deep,,,After I put the seed out is it ok to run over it with a 4 wheeler to push it in the ground?Or should I just scatter it and leave it?Iam afraid that if I just scatter and leave it that the birds will eat the seed.......What do you guys do?........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s I use a homemade drag made of chain link fence with a couple of piece of pipe attached that I pull behind the tractor or 4 wheeler. If uncovered birds will eat some of your seed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s Drags work but sometimes they scatter seed and you get uneven coverage. If you don't have access to a cultipacker and the area isn't too large, running over it with an atv to slightly pack the soil is an excellant way to get seed to soil contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s Clover seed is awfully small. Spread your seed right before you see a storm roll in. The rain pellting the ground is all you need. I took my lawn roller and rolled it over my clover and it came up fine. Bury it too deep and you won't be too successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s A lawn roller behind an ATV works very well. If you look closely at a cultipacker you'll see the rollers are tapered which will actually push seeds too far into the ground. 1/4 in. is max for most clovers and alfalfa seeds to be covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s Have used a drag with clovers here and had great results. If you can time it right just before a rain though like Chris mentioned, a good soaking rain will pack your seed just right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FSU_Seminole Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s [ QUOTE ] How do you guys cover your seeds,,,,,Iam going to plant some clover this year and I have heard that it shouldnt be covered to deep,,,After I put the seed out is it ok to run over it with a 4 wheeler to push it in the ground?Or should I just scatter it and leave it?Iam afraid that if I just scatter and leave it that the birds will eat the seed.......What do you guys do?........... [/ QUOTE ] I found this ATV drag by Norther Tool. Its only 48 pounds & great for covering up clover & brassica seeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s I pretty much do the same technique as wtnhunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4Blade Posted March 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s I will give the homemade chain link drag a try.......Thanks for the tips.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s [ QUOTE ] I found this ATV drag by Norther Tool. Its only 48 pounds & great for covering up clover & brassica seeds. [/ QUOTE ] Looks just about like what I use. Mine has a pipe at both ends though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s Just some advice on using drags like those above. Drag your plot before you spread the seed and pick up the loose clumps. These clumps will gather under the drag and gather the seed. The advantage to a roller is it pushes straight down and tends to flatten the surface. Roll the plot first to prepare a firm seed bed, then spread the seed for best results. After you spread the seed roll it again to get good seed to soil contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s I never drag in my seed for my plots..HOWEVER; I do plant right before a good rain/ I usually see it coming!! thats is all you need. If you do drag your seed, do not over do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s [ QUOTE ] Just some advice on using drags like those above. Drag your plot before you spread the seed and pick up the loose clumps. These clumps will gather under the drag and gather the seed. [/ QUOTE ] If you use a disc for prep like I do you would have to run your drag first to smooth out your soil. Otherwise the seed will fall too deep between. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s Exactly. The furrows left from discing will be deep enough the seed will fall into them and get covered too deeply to grow. Preparing the seed bed is very important IMO so you get as much of your seed as possible contacting the soil and covered no more than 1/4" max. Grant you it is extra work but it will pay off in a good yield. I have seen videos where someone claims to leave stones in his food plots claiming this keeps the soil warm and helps the seed germinate. I think it is laziness. Seeds won't grow out of rocks. They also hold up a roller or drag so they can't do their jobs. I pick my plots quite clean of rocks before I roll the soil prior to planting. [ Filled in a lot of holes in my road last year] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born2Hunt Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s [ QUOTE ] Exactly. The furrows left from discing will be deep enough the seed will fall into them and get covered too deeply to grow. Preparing the seed bed is very important IMO so you get as much of your seed as possible contacting the soil and covered no more than 1/4" max. Grant you it is extra work but it will pay off in a good yield. I have seen videos where someone claims to leave stones in his food plots claiming this keeps the soil warm and helps the seed germinate. I think it is laziness. Seeds won't grow out of rocks. They also hold up a roller or drag so they can't do their jobs. I pick my plots quite clean of rocks before I roll the soil prior to planting. [ Filled in a lot of holes in my road last year] [/ QUOTE ]My hands are still sore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted March 4, 2006 Report Share Posted March 4, 2006 Re: Covering seed\'s Poor Baby! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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