Chewing The Cud:

  The Cahaba Tractor Corner 
 
 

     Overseeding Your Fields for Spring 
  

Step 1 - Buy the best possible grass seed:
 When overseeding for Spring, the first step is to purchase a good quality grass seed. Most prefer to use a perennial Rye grass seed with a minimum blend of 80% perennial rye to 20% annual rye seed or a triple blend of perennial rye. Inter-seeded blends tend to allow for greater flexibility and perform best in most areas. To find a top quality grass seed, look for an NTEP rated variety. The National Turf Evaluation Program (NTEP) independently evaluates and rates grass seed brands that have been specifically bred for superior green grass color, disease and insect resistance and drought tolerance. The better the grass seed, the healthier and better looking the lawn.

Step 3 - Plant grass seed
 Spread the seed evenly by hand in small areas. Use a hand or lawn spreader or a mechanical seeder in large areas, such as the Land Pride All Purpose Seeder sold at Cahaba Tractor (see below). Apply approximately 16 seeds per square inch. Too many seeds too close together causes seedlings to fight for room and nutrients, resulting in weak or thin grass in these areas.

Step 4 - Cover seeds
 Lightly drag the grass seed bed so no more than one quarter inch of soil covers the grass seed. Cover the grass seed bed with a good starter fertilizer and seeding mulch to hold seeds in place and retain moisture.

Step 5 - Water often
 Keep grass seed bed moist to enhance germination. Water lightly, and at least once daily, until the new grass is two inches high. Water new grass regularly to keep roots moist.

Step 6 - Do not apply weed control products too early
 Do not apply weed control products to the grass. Delay the weed control application until the grass seed has germinated and you have mowed the grass at least 3 times.

Cahaba Tractor carries the Land Pride All Purpose Seeder, which can do most of the work for you. It is the perfect tool for seeding over established lawns and will not disturb dormant grasses. The All-Purpose Seeder is fitted with crab action spiked rollers that can be easily angled for more or less aggressive de-thatching or soil cultivation and seedbed preparation. Spring mounted rear rollers offer maximum down pressure, better spike penetration, and seed to soil contact. The precision grass seed cups and various seeder widths provide for highly accurate seed delivery around landscape obstacles and over uneven, hilly terrain. The large seedbox capacity allows for greater productivity in less time.

With the Land Pride All Purpose Seeder from Cahaba Tractor, you only need to purchase the grass and mow the lawn. All the other steps are taken care of for you, and in half the time.

This month, Cahaba Tractor is offering the Hollow Spreader, FREE ($450 value), with the purchase of the Land Pride All Purpose Seeder.