What is "Lightly Disking" and is it better than a drag

[DRG3]

I will be planting Iron Clay Cow please, Lablab, sunflowers and Milo this weekend. I have both a disk and a drag harrow. I have never planted this mix before so not sure which method is better for covering this specific seed- which I know needs to be deeper than the smaller seed I normally plant.

I don't have a drill, so I will be broadcasting

Up until now, I have always used my drag, but I don't know that it covers very deeply. Would I be better off using my disc to go back over the seed after sowing it?

If so- what is the proper method- Im assuming I don't drop it fully in the ground or go to fast- but if lightly disking is the best option here- what is the right way to do it?

Thanks in advance

 

[KY wild]

What I would do........if they are already in a mix....... I would split the difference since too many variables to predict, especially future rain
1. Prepare seed bed
2. Spread half the seed and lightly disk ( only let the disk cut about an inch or less)
3. spread the other half of the seed on top of the disked ground
4. run a drag over
5. then if you have roller great use it, if not then drive around letting the tires pack at least some of the field to once again split the difference

Don't put all your eggs in one basket type of philosophy

 

[bigboreblr]

Lightly disk. No xtra weight ontop of disk, make angle of blades less sharp. Many discs only require one pass. IF you have a depth limiting wheels, set them maybe 2 inches

Little rows make funnels for the seed to go into.

I bought a set of heavier discs for my ATV.


I dont play much with foodplot varieties the past 2 or 3 years. I Do small grains, clover, and maybe some brassicas. I lightly disc, then spread large seed, then drag or roll, then spread small seed and roll again. 1/2 n 1/2 as mentioned above works good too. I have too much deer pressure for beans to work. They'll just hammer them at home. Most of my food lot surface at camp doesn't get a ton of light, so they'd be hammered there from slow growth. Also, need somewhat durable plants to deal with light ATV traffic.

I made some of the best stands of small grain in years with no fertilizer this past year. The corners that get disced heavier, I would put a bit more seed, maybe after rolling in.

Not sure if the corners got dried out from being looser soil than the main section of the plot, or the seed got too deep.

No till is considered disturbing the soil 30% or less. So, light discing it technically still no till. IT also make the plants go into row pattern too.

You need to view methods with a grain of salt. Soil type, relative mositure, agressiveness of equipment are a few fctors where this might work for someone and not so great for others. Too deep can be an issue for smaller seeds.

Going to try grains with faster growing annual clovers in a plot or two this upcoming year. medium red maybe balsana or berseem.

 

[BenA]

Either of the above methods should work. What I've done with those seeds before is to disk with the blades set at a good cutting angle. Then, spread the seed. Readjust the blades so they're straight. Run over it good with the blades just high enough to break up the clods. That should cover them enough. I'd wait until you have a really good chance of rain in the forecast.