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 | bobkro
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 28 Mill Spring, NC 
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2008-03-10 152061
I want to establish a new lawn over soil with a high clay content, and could use some advice.
Last fall, on about 1/2 acre, I tilled down 6 inches, and added dolomite limestone per spec, and twelve yards of topsoil. (The Ph is now 6.8) I then put down annual rye grass as a cover crop over the winter.
This spring, I want to put down new Tall Fescue seed. Should I till the rye under, and if so, to what depth?
The nurseryman where I got the seed says to "just get the seed in contact with the ground" when I sow it, which implies that I don't need to rake the seed in/cover it over at all.
Advice on how to sow the seed and work it in would be appreciated. Would a harrow rake be useful to work it in? I hand-raked the annual rye last fall, and that took a while.
b
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| hardwood
Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3583 iowa 
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2008-03-11 152068
Bob; We need Murf to jump in on this one. To me it sounds like you have did everything right so far, and the nursreyman is correct meaning that tiny grass seeds only need a bit of cover. If you have access to a cultipacker they do wonders to help new seedings. Frank. ....
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 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-03-11 152078
Spreading and working topsoil isn't really adding much to the soil unless it has a really high content of organic material. I know of many a con-man "topsoil dealer" who run pure clay through a screener and call it "screened top soil" and people buy it at $10-25 a yard thinking because it's fluffy and pretty it's good to use. When it gets wet and dries they have concrete. Pure compost is the best thing--if you HAVE to ammend it at all.
Frankly, when I seed lawns, all I do it slightly loosen the top 1/2" or so, spread the grass seed thickly--double the amount recommended, fertilize with Milorganite (dried human poop--which when dry doesn't really smell--get it moist and--it smells really FRESH). Keep it watered and you'll have a lush lawn in a few weeks.
If erosion or intense sunlight is an issue, spread a 4-6" layer of loose straw over it. The seedling will grow right through it, and when you mow the straw will mulch and eventually decompose. And it helps keep the weeds down until the grass fills in.
Think how mother nature makes a lawn--the seeds drop and never get buried or fertilized. ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-03-12 152093
Somebody rang? LOL
Bob, as Frank mentioned, the nurseryman is right, the seed only needs to make contact with damp soil. Even EW was right on this one, Mother Nature just plunks them down.
Kenneth did you hear that? EW was right! ;)
Seriously, just sow the seeds and follow the directions as to water, etc., and let them do their thing, the rye grass residue will help the most left just where it is on top.
If you can get a cultipacker or even just a plain roller, have a gentle run over the whole area after it's seeded to make sure you have good contact.
Best of luck. ....
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 | kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2008-03-12 152097
Murf, did. Believe that is now 3 times EW was correct. :)
Before long he will deal with the circles. kt ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-03-12 152100
He's a technical kinda' guy.....
Maybe they were 'orbits'....... LOL ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2008-03-12 152101
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Your insight comes through again. Yep orbits.
Now people or objects out in space are in "orbits" correct? kt ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-03-12 152106
Kenny, don't they teach science down thar? Orbits occur around celestial bodies (that means "outer space"). Electrons have orbits, and so do your eyeballs. ....
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| kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2008-03-13 152132
EW, so does that mean it is not orbits? For a while I was impressed. kt ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-03-13 152135
Kenny, no you can still be impressed. (Geeeze it don't take much duz it?).
For my NEXT act I will... ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-03-14 152143
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Make spring appear?
Please................... LOL ....
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 | DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2008-03-14 152149
.......Spring was never waiting for us (Murf), it ran one step ahead as we followed in the dance........
Paraphrased from the longest song I ever heard on the radio...........
Speaking of that...... I think I left my tractor out in the rain last night......
....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-03-14 152152
Murf, give me 5 days, 'k? Then S-H-A-Z-A-M-! You're wish will be granted!
Since I'm in the mood...anything else? ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2008-03-14 152156
Well, if you're offering Jeff........
You know the turf biz pretty good, wanna come over here and cover for me for a few weeks while I make a run to Florida & the Bahamas with the little lady?
Just don't put your muddy boots up on my desk is all. ;) ....
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| earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan
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2008-03-14 152159
Well I was going to ask you if you need work assistance state-side (Michigan in particular), buuuut...if the "little lady" has a younger, single, sister---blonde to dishwasher blonde hair, 5'-3" to 5'6", 100-120 lb., blue or brown eyes---but I'm not picky---hahahaha---we'll go together! ....
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