Planters Guide

GUIDE TO PLANTING NATIVE SEEDS

The key to great stands of native seeds is to buy high quality natives and to plant them correctly.  Whether you are planting for roadside vegetation, prairie restoration, conservation, erosion control, wildlife habitat or wildlife food plots, the methods you use to plant your native seed will determine the success rate of your native grass stand.

PLANTING WITH A DRILL IS ALWAYS BEST

Disk or rototill soil 4 inches deep to loosen soil and kill all existing weeds. Allow time for weeds to die and then pack soil with a harrow or cultipacker. Native seeds come in all shapes and sizes and depending on which ones you use determines what type of planter is necessary. The seed should be placed 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep because it is very important to place the seed under the surface to maintain good moisture during germination.

BROADCASTING SEED

• Disk or rototill soil 4 inches deep to loosen soil and kill all existing weeds.
• Apply seed with a fertilizer spreader, commercial air fertilizer truck or by hand.
• Disk, harrow, or aerate 1 to 2 inches deep at a speed to cover the seed with soil 1/4 to 1/2 inches deep.
• Then pack the soil with a cultipacker or roller to get seed in good contact with the soil.
• IF THE SEED IS TO BE PLANTED ON A SLOPE, WE RECOMMEND AN APPLICATION OF HYDROMULCH TO CONTROL EROSION.

IRRIGATION

Begin irrigation by filling the soil profile to field capacity and depending on weather conditions, water once or twice a day to keep the seed in good moisture for three weeks. After the plants are up to an acceptable stand then water once or twice a week until turf is established.

WEED CONTROL

Buffalograss Turf - To reduce the weed competition, you should prepare your site 1 to 2 weeks before planting and irrigate to get as many weeds up as possible. Then apply Roundup prior to seeding. Currently, mowing is the best method of controlling weeds during the first year of establishment. After the lawn is established, a pre-emerge herbicide such as Balan or Dacthal can be used.

Prairie and Pastures - Planting after the soil temperature gets above 65°F will allow several weeds to germinate before you plant.  Then apply Roundup prior planting.  After the grass is up 2 inches tall or higher, Ally can be applied for broadleaf weed control.  Otherwise, shredding is the best alternative.

FERTILIZER

We do not recommend fertilizer at seeding because it promotes weed growth. If a soil test has been conducted, apply fertilizer at the recommended rate. If tests have not been conducted apply 2 pounds of nitrogen and 1 pound phosphate per 1000 square feet or 50 - 25 - 0 per acre at six to eight weeks of age.

If we can be of any assistance please let us know.

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