Spreading switchgrass seed???

[j-bird]

I am sure it's here somewhere but I am too lazy to look.... I am spreading some switchgrass seed into a disced area to add some diversity. I don't have a drill, don't need a drill, don't want a drill. Does anyone have a decent means to spread switcgrass? My kids made fun of me as I was taking handfuls of the seed and simply keeping a fairly tight grip and shaking it. My kids say I looked like I had parkinsons or some sort of nervous "tick".....it's also not real easy on the old body either. I have a small hand spreader but the metering gate won't open small enough and I have a conical spreader but I fear anything I use as a carrier is only going to allow the seed to "rat-hole". I also do not have a blower/seeder or even a gas powered blower either. I have roughly 10 pounds to spread and have spread 1/2 of it so far. Just looking for a better option for next time.

 

[willy]

I use a hard body solo spreader for my switch plots the past few years including the new ones this year. It has worked great. I spread any seed I have with it. The opening can be closed to what ever spacing you need. I like to set it too small to start and then either go over it however many times it takes to spread the seed evenly or trial and error until I get the right opening for whatever the seed size is to cover area evenly.

Good luck

What I use is below.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...MIsoOJlvbJ6AIVov_jBx25WgTgEAQYASABEgIpCvD_BwE

 

[BenAllgood]

I've spread plenty of seed by hand. You carry the bag or bucket, grab a handful of seed, and fling it in a line out in front of you from left to right (or right to left) depending on what hand. It's like a sprayed arc pattern almost. I don't know if I can explain it right, but there are probably some videos out there on it.

 

[j-bird]

I use a hard body solo spreader for my switch plots the past few years including the new ones this year. It has worked great. I spread any seed I have with it. The opening can be closed to what ever spacing you need. I like to set it too small to start and then either go over it however many times it takes to spread the seed evenly or trial and error until I get the right opening for whatever the seed size is to cover area evenly.

Good luck

What I use is below.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200460126_200460126?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Lawn + Garden > Lawn Spreaders&utm_campaign=Solo&utm_content=14055&&lid=92700050368583403&ds_s_kwgid=58700000737318873&ds_e_product_group_id=659507946181&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_e_ad_type=pla&ds_s_inventory_feed_id=97700000001662305&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsoOJlvbJ6AIVov_jBx25WgTgEAQYASABEgIpCvD_BwE

So this will meter and adequately spread switch seed??? I am finding that the switch seed is very light (not fluffy like other native grasses) but not a hard seed like say clover or turnips......and as such getting it to go any real distance seems difficult and if there is any wind....you better work with it or your screwed.... You don't add any sort of "carrier"?

 

[j-bird]

I've spread plenty of seed by hand. You carry the bag or bucket, grab a handful of seed, and fling it in a line out in front of you from left to right (or right to left) depending on what hand. It's like a sprayed arc pattern almost. I don't know if I can explain it right, but there are probably some videos out there on it.

I found that I go thru seed too fast that way. Thus the "fist" method I have been using. I'm trying to get it added and not a strong or dense stand of switch.....I'm applying literally a pound or two an acre at best. And to be honest.....my frick'n arm just gets tired!

 

[scott44]

I use and small old green Scott's hand spreader for my clover and switch, I haven't tried the Solo on these smaller seeds yet because the Scott's works for me.

Scott's in the tote

 

[Tree Spud]

So this will meter and adequately spread switch seed??? I am finding that the switch seed is very light (not fluffy like other native grasses) but not a hard seed like say clover or turnips......and as such getting it to go any real distance seems difficult and if there is any wind....you better work with it or your screwed.... You don't add any sort of "carrier"?

I use a Earthway hard body hand spreader or bag spreader. Have done ~20 acres this way. On the seed opening scale, I am usually at about 60% open. Your walking pace is important also and I walk at a good steady clip.

Always better if you could have done when there is snow as you can see your spread rate.

 

[Hoytvectrix]

If you're going to use the hand-seeding method, I would try and go in two perpendicular directions to ensure adequate coverage. I have seeded literally acres of turf seed using the "chicken feeding" method, and that turf seed is about the same size and weight as the switchgrass. With that said though, if the ground is smooth enough, see if you can find an old scotts turf seed/fertilizer drop-spreader. You can find them for 10-15 bucks on craigslist, or in a walmart or homedepot for 20-35 bucks. With the drop spreader, you will be able to see your wheel tracks. If you have a lot of existing residue on the surface, you may want to consider putting larger wheels on the spreader. I have been toying with the idea of doing just that for our farm, as we overseed quite a bit into existing dead or dormant plant residue.

 

[don]

Could you tape off part of the opening, making it narrower or shorter ? I've never tried it so it may not be feasible.

 

[j-bird]

I use and small old green Scott's hand spreader for my clover and switch, I haven't tried the Solo on these smaller seeds yet because the Scott's works for me.

Scott's in the tote

I have one similar to that (mine has a support for your forearm and the crank and spinner are orange in color) and it seems to just be too open for me even at the smallest opening.....it works fine for turnip and clover seed, but the switch just doesn't seem to want to cooperate.

 

[j-bird]

If you're going to use the hand-seeding method, I would try and go in two perpendicular directions to ensure adequate coverage. I have seeded literally acres of turf seed using the "chicken feeding" method, and that turf seed is about the same size and weight as the switchgrass. With that said though, if the ground is smooth enough, see if you can find an old scotts turf seed/fertilizer drop-spreader. You can find them for 10-15 bucks on craigslist, or in a walmart or homedepot for 20-35 bucks. With the drop spreader, you will be able to see your wheel tracks. If you have a lot of existing residue on the surface, you may want to consider putting larger wheels on the spreader. I have been toying with the idea of doing just that for our farm, as we overseed quite a bit into existing dead or dormant plant residue.

I prefer walking in a line as it helps create layers of switch when it comes in in contrast to the other native weeds that grow as well. This helps create almost mini screens in the cover which I think helps. I'm not worried about a strictly uniform coverage of the area like I would a yard of clover plot (in which case I would make multiple passes in different directions).

 

[j-bird]

Could you tape off part of the opening, making it narrower or shorter ? I've never tried it so it may not be feasible.

I like your thinking.....I could use some card board off of a beer.....ummmm, I mean beverage.... box and just tape it in place to serve as the metering gate..... Simple, crude and may just work.....sort of like me!

 

[willy]

So this will meter and adequately spread switch seed??? I am finding that the switch seed is very light (not fluffy like other native grasses) but not a hard seed like say clover or turnips......and as such getting it to go any real distance seems difficult and if there is any wind....you better work with it or your screwed.... You don't add any sort of "carrier"?

Jbird, I use CIR switch but have used blackwell also. It is small hard seed like clover but shaped a bit different. It flies out of that seeder approx. 8 to 10' ft to my left and right. Its not a 3 point broadcast seeder that will go 45 ' but for small areas it will do fine. The largest I've seeded with it is 9.5 acres. A fairly brisk walking pace. Good exercise too.:)

The suggestion by Don to modify your opening on your seeder you have is a good one and that should work fine.

 

[TreeDaddy]

I found that I go thru seed too fast that way. Thus the "fist" method I have been using. I'm trying to get it added and not a strong or dense stand of switch.....I'm applying literally a pound or two an acre at best. And to be honest.....my frick'n arm just gets tired!

^^^^^^^^ what i do

Then again, I use the "glug-glug" method of adding gly to the backpack sprayer......

bill

 

[j-bird]

So I tried my scott spreader and used some tape to better monitor the opening....the "1" setting was too small, while the "2" setting was too much. I simply used the trigger gate as a meter and used some tape like was mentioned at about the 1/2 way point between the two settings. Not ideal....but that worked much better.....AND I put my 15 y/o to work with it. I was monitoring at a distance while doing some tractor work! Now I simply have to get a rain shower and control the weeds to let it get established and we can see how we did. I will have a little more work to do next year I think....but don't we always.

 

[j-bird]

^^^^^^^^ what i do

Then again, I use the "glug-glug" method of adding gly to the backpack sprayer......

bill

I don't use the "glug-glug" method with gly - I just use a 2% mixed ratio and spray as fast as I safely can. This means I add a gallon of gly to my 50 (technically 55 gallon) sprayer. Life can be complicated enough as it is....I try to keep things simple.

 

[j-bird]

Could you tape off part of the opening, making it narrower or shorter ? I've never tried it so it may not be feasible.

Worked like a charm once I found the right placement....

 

[TreeDaddy]

I don't use the "glug-glug" method with gly - I just use a 2% mixed ratio and spray as fast as I safely can. This means I add a gallon of gly to my 50 (technically 55 gallon) sprayer. Life can be complicated enough as it is....I try to keep things simple.

I learned about "glug-glug" from a lecture I attended for my pesticide applicator license in Texas

How NOT to mix gly as this can lead to gly resistance in certain species

glug-glug more appropriately applied to drinking beer...........

bill