I direct seed into the grass and then cut the grass. The cut grass acts as a layer of soil to protect the seed and hold moister. I do not disturb the soil at all. Sorry you can't find the other video. Have a great week.
@@StewartFarmApiary you might think this crazy, but I’ve dump tons of wood mulch from tree service over my extra nutrient poor, swampy-clay pasture soils. Just need to rake it it in with an implement so the grass underneath is not totally smothered. Look forward to breaking down quickly with constant moisture access start growing Above the Clay!
Thank you. Moving back to farm in Northwest Alabama from Tuscaloosa. I’ve got to get out of the burbs and back into the country with my children. What do you recommend starting for pastures that have not been used in over a decade?
If nothing has been grazed then I would get a soil sample off to Auburn. See what they say it requires. Personally, I would put a ton of lime down per acre at anytime. Let that get settled in and then at a minimal put 10 pounds per acre of white dutch clover or Hancock Seeds out of Florida has a great "killer clover mix" that I have used to get some variety in the pasture. When you spread your clover, spread a minimal of 50 pounds per acre of rye grass. You don't have to do huge scale projects - pick the smallest pasture and get going there. Let me know how it turns out.
Thank you for this video. I’m wanting to do this for my pastures. Can you give me an idea of how many acres you planted? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Hello - I have four pastures of different sizes. My main goal is to start getting some cool season grasses (fescue) permanently in the ground for diversity and winter grazing. I also want to keep an active root in the pastures all year long for the soil. What you saw was basically over 10 acres ( all four pastures combined). Remember that I went thick on my seed. You can get away with less but I really wanted a strong stand in the spring that will allow me to have biomass and fresh greenery for my sheep.. thank you for the feedback
Where do I buy crimson clover in that large bag? I've been trying to figure out what store sells 50# bags of winter wheat, winter rye, and other cover crops.
Great video. I'm in Fayette, is it to late to seed my field for sheep. I'm worried that the grass won't be rooted long enough and the sheep will destroy it.
I will be seeding Bahia in about three weeks. You need to have the grass grow without disturbance it you really want it to get established. If you are low on grass and want to get some established and still let the sheep be in the field, then I would recommend getting some quality warm season perennial grass hay and rolling it out. I have a video showing how I did this last summer. Rolls are about $30.00 in Fayette now and some farmers may have soiled rolls they would give at a discount. This method works great and can actually be cheaper in the long run. Check out the video I do on rolling out the bales. I hope this helps.
Time it close to a rain when you spread your seeds. If your pasture is established the seed will fall down into the established grass and start sprouting in time. If new soils you will need to break ground just enough for Ed to soil contact. Planning just before a good rain is essential of both though. Hope this helps. Have a great day.
Crimson clover vs white clover. I hear a lot of sheep farmers rave about white clover. Your thoughts? Great tutorial btw! We are going to try this next weekend in Western NC!
Thanks for the kind words. Here is what I have found - if you want quick nitrogen in the spring then crimson clover is great. Also smothers out new weed sprouts in the spring. Problem is it isn’t a perennial and unless you let it go to full maturity then it will not come back the second year as full. White clover ( landino) is a perennial but takes a few years to get established. That’s why I plant both. I am also trying more yarrowleaf this year. Check out Killer Clover at Hancock Seeds. I’m not getting a kickback on telling you about it - I just think it is one of the best clover mixtures out there. Another thing I really like is hairy vetch. If I can say anything about clover, please remember they need lime in the pastures to thrive. All legumes do. Hope all this helps. Thanks for the kind words.
@@StewartFarmApiary so a good idea to add lime with the seed as well? I used to do this with my grass seed when I was still living the suburban life. 😉
@@pretzeltwisttwist7740 There is this crazy myth that you can't put it down at the same time but I have never had a problem. Fact is it will take a few months to really get in and make the difference in the soil. I have been told by experts that main reason for putting lime down in the fall is because it is historically dry rather than when spring showers are happening. Also, put it down in the fall and then it will be ready to help the spring plants. Also, check with your local agriculture shop that sells lime in bulk. It is a lot cheaper and easier to just have them come in and put the lime down with a spreader truck. A lot cheaper than using the bags. Hope this helps.
Trying to re seed an old unused 3 acre pasture and ran across your channel. Really enjoyed what your doing! So, you are sowing your spring seed in the fall ?
Good morning - I appreciate your kind words. I guess the answer to your question is "kinda". So the rye and the fescue will come up in fall with adequate rain. It will stay low to the ground and "green up". The spring is when everything really comes on in full stride. I have a video called PASTURE SEEDING SUCCESS on my channel that shows you the result of this video you are asking about. It is filmed in the spring after this video and shows all that came up and what I do with it at that point. As mentioned in the other video, this seeding in the autumn will put you way ahead in the spring for success. I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask any questions along your planting. Best of luck.
Check out the other videos in this Overseeding series: - Pasture Overseeding Update ua-cam.com/video/lrwCQ5owTjs/v-deo.html - Results from our fall planting without synthetic fertilizer ua-cam.com/video/Cp7pqwsQe2g/v-deo.html
That would be nice but they are expensive. A cement mixer also has to be maintained and stored until needed and I can do with a grain scoop in the wheelbarrow in no time. Thanks for the feedback. Have a great week.
Planting wheat is cheaper $12 for 50 lbs. It is winter wheat when you go to feed store ask for feed wheat. Plant ,just throw it out ,let it get rained on ,and it sprouts. Throwing out white clover seed works good too and that stuff does spread. I do not buy rye grass anymore .
@@josephbarker91 Yes, I wondered the same thing. You can get wheat cheaper but it is a "feed" type. It is not the best for planting. Ive still never seen it for $12.00. Co-Op had it years ago for $22.00 and it went fast. Over ordered at the shop and they had to get rid of it.
If you invest in this for one year and not cut and let it go to seed each fall then the costs long term are very cost effective. Thanks for the comment. Have a great week.
Great question - I have planted some Gama Grass. My main concern is the fact that it is so invasive. I would love to go more native but I can guy a new tractor for less than a 50 lb bag of Bluestem. I will be doing a video later this year with how I gather Gama grass off the side of our county roads and utilize the seed for the pastures on the cheap. Be looking for it. Thanks again for the feedback. Have a great week.
You can if you plant endophyte free tall fescue - we have 30 acres of tall fescue, rye and bermuda with natural clover mixed in. We also plant crabgrass in areas that get a lot of traffic - the horses love it!
I truly appreciate what you are doing thank you
You are very kind to say that. I just hope some of my stumbles will help others on a smoother road. Have a great week. Thanks again.
@@StewartFarmApiary I've been doing farm work clearing out old fields and loving it as my peaceful place
@@jamesdarrow4675 Yes, building a place you can enjoy is the key. Glad you are enjoying your results of hard work. Have a great week.
Thank You for this content!...Very helpful.
Thank you for the positive feedback. I appreciate the comments. Have a great week.
Im having trouble finding the 3 part series fo this. Where is part 2? Did you scratch up the pasture before seeding or direct sow into existing grass?
I direct seed into the grass and then cut the grass. The cut grass acts as a layer of soil to protect the seed and hold moister. I do not disturb the soil at all. Sorry you can't find the other video. Have a great week.
Exciting Stuff!
Subscribed!
Many thanks!
Excellent. Thank you!!
@@StewartFarmApiary you might think this crazy, but I’ve dump tons of wood mulch from tree service over my extra nutrient poor, swampy-clay pasture soils. Just need to rake it it in with an implement so the grass underneath is not totally smothered.
Look forward to breaking down quickly with constant moisture access start growing Above the Clay!
Thank you. Moving back to farm in Northwest Alabama from Tuscaloosa. I’ve got to get out of the burbs and back into the country with my children. What do you recommend starting for pastures that have not been used in over a decade?
If nothing has been grazed then I would get a soil sample off to Auburn. See what they say it requires. Personally, I would put a ton of lime down per acre at anytime. Let that get settled in and then at a minimal put 10 pounds per acre of white dutch clover or Hancock Seeds out of Florida has a great "killer clover mix" that I have used to get some variety in the pasture. When you spread your clover, spread a minimal of 50 pounds per acre of rye grass. You don't have to do huge scale projects - pick the smallest pasture and get going there. Let me know how it turns out.
Thank you!
I hope the video helps you!
Thank you for this video. I’m wanting to do this for my pastures. Can you give me an idea of how many acres you planted? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Hello - I have four pastures of different sizes. My main goal is to start getting some cool season grasses (fescue) permanently in the ground for diversity and winter grazing. I also want to keep an active root in the pastures all year long for the soil. What you saw was basically over 10 acres ( all four pastures combined). Remember that I went thick on my seed. You can get away with less but I really wanted a strong stand in the spring that will allow me to have biomass and fresh greenery for my sheep..
thank you for the feedback
I liked it
thank you.
@Stewart Farm Thanks so much for your reply.
Where do I buy crimson clover in that large bag? I've been trying to figure out what store sells 50# bags of winter wheat, winter rye, and other cover crops.
Your local co-op store. That is where I purchased it here.
Great video. I'm in Fayette, is it to late to seed my field for sheep. I'm worried that the grass won't be rooted long enough and the sheep will destroy it.
I will be seeding Bahia in about three weeks. You need to have the grass grow without disturbance it you really want it to get established. If you are low on grass and want to get some established and still let the sheep be in the field, then I would recommend getting some quality warm season perennial grass hay and rolling it out. I have a video showing how I did this last summer. Rolls are about $30.00 in Fayette now and some farmers may have soiled rolls they would give at a discount. This method works great and can actually be cheaper in the long run. Check out the video I do on rolling out the bales. I hope this helps.
A bit of lime to coat the seed also helps if your ph is down
Yes - I actually had 3 tons per acre put down in the fall. Thank you for the feedback. Have a great week.
You just throw all that seed on top ground no light disking or anything and it grows?
Time it close to a rain when you spread your seeds. If your pasture is established the seed will fall down into the established grass and start sprouting in time. If new soils you will need to break ground just enough for Ed to soil contact. Planning just before a good rain is essential of both though. Hope this helps. Have a great day.
Crimson clover vs white clover. I hear a lot of sheep farmers rave about white clover. Your thoughts? Great tutorial btw! We are going to try this next weekend in Western NC!
Thanks for the kind words. Here is what I have found - if you want quick nitrogen in the spring then crimson clover is great. Also smothers out new weed sprouts in the spring. Problem is it isn’t a perennial and unless you let it go to full maturity then it will not come back the second year as full. White clover ( landino) is a perennial but takes a few years to get established. That’s why I plant both. I am also trying more yarrowleaf this year. Check out Killer Clover at Hancock Seeds. I’m not getting a kickback on telling you about it - I just think it is one of the best clover mixtures out there. Another thing I really like is hairy vetch. If I can say anything about clover, please remember they need lime in the pastures to thrive. All legumes do. Hope all this helps. Thanks for the kind words.
@@StewartFarmApiary so a good idea to add lime with the seed as well? I used to do this with my grass seed when I was still living the suburban life. 😉
@@pretzeltwisttwist7740 There is this crazy myth that you can't put it down at the same time but I have never had a problem. Fact is it will take a few months to really get in and make the difference in the soil. I have been told by experts that main reason for putting lime down in the fall is because it is historically dry rather than when spring showers are happening. Also, put it down in the fall and then it will be ready to help the spring plants. Also, check with your local agriculture shop that sells lime in bulk. It is a lot cheaper and easier to just have them come in and put the lime down with a spreader truck. A lot cheaper than using the bags. Hope this helps.
Trying to re seed an old unused 3 acre pasture and ran across your channel. Really enjoyed what your doing! So, you are sowing your spring seed in the fall ?
Good morning - I appreciate your kind words. I guess the answer to your question is "kinda". So the rye and the fescue will come up in fall with adequate rain. It will stay low to the ground and "green up". The spring is when everything really comes on in full stride. I have a video called PASTURE SEEDING SUCCESS on my channel that shows you the result of this video you are asking about. It is filmed in the spring after this video and shows all that came up and what I do with it at that point. As mentioned in the other video, this seeding in the autumn will put you way ahead in the spring for success. I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask any questions along your planting. Best of luck.
@@StewartFarmApiary thank you so much! I’m gonna do just that, get ahead of the game !
Check out the other videos in this Overseeding series:
- Pasture Overseeding Update ua-cam.com/video/lrwCQ5owTjs/v-deo.html
- Results from our fall planting without synthetic fertilizer ua-cam.com/video/Cp7pqwsQe2g/v-deo.html
Best way to mix seed is to use a cement mixer
That would be nice but they are expensive. A cement mixer also has to be maintained and stored until needed and I can do with a grain scoop in the wheelbarrow in no time. Thanks for the feedback. Have a great week.
👍
thanks for the support
Planting wheat is cheaper $12 for 50 lbs. It is winter wheat when you go to feed store ask for feed wheat. Plant ,just throw it out ,let it get rained on ,and it sprouts. Throwing out white clover seed works good too and that stuff does spread. I do not buy rye grass anymore .
Thanks for the tip. I’m not only looking for fodder, but biomass as well. Hope you have a great week.
Where do you get 50 lbs. of wheat for $12? The cheapest I can find is $40 for that much.
@@josephbarker91 Yes, I wondered the same thing. You can get wheat cheaper but it is a "feed" type. It is not the best for planting. Ive still never seen it for $12.00. Co-Op had it years ago for $22.00 and it went fast. Over ordered at the shop and they had to get rid of it.
Nice, if you can afford it.
If you invest in this for one year and not cut and let it go to seed each fall then the costs long term are very cost effective. Thanks for the comment. Have a great week.
Have you never tried out native prairie grasses? Bluestem, Indian, Gama grass. Go native!
Great question - I have planted some Gama Grass. My main concern is the fact that it is so invasive. I would love to go more native but I can guy a new tractor for less than a 50 lb bag of Bluestem. I will be doing a video later this year with how I gather Gama grass off the side of our county roads and utilize the seed for the pastures on the cheap. Be looking for it. Thanks again for the feedback. Have a great week.
Fescue should never be used if you jave horses and plan on breeding! It often causes death of the foal!
Thanks. I only have sheep.
You can if you plant endophyte free tall fescue - we have 30 acres of tall fescue, rye and bermuda with natural clover mixed in. We also plant crabgrass in areas that get a lot of traffic - the horses love it!
@@PentonUSA1 cool, thanks