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Seeding Methods
A press drill with grass seed attachment equipped with a seed agitator is satisfactory for
seeding grasses and legumes provided a firm seedbed is prepared. If the seedbed is not
firm enough to regulate seeding depth, the grass or legume seed should not go down the
double-disc opener. Never seed a grass or legume in the same double-disc opener as the
companion crop since seeding depth is much greater. If seed spouts are placed to drop seed
behind disc openers and in front of press wheels, be sure to follow the seeding with one
or two light harrowings to incorporate seed and firm the seedbed, but be careful that the
seed is not buried too deep.
Special grass drills with depth control bands are available from a number of Natural
Resources Conservation Service districts throughout the state. Use of such equipment is
highly recommended to ensure proper seeding depth.
Drills without grass seed attachments may have difficult seeding light or chaffy grass
seeds. Grasses such as smooth bromegrass and creeping foxtail tend to bridge in drill
boxes even with seed agitators, resulting in uneven seeding or skips. Mixing the required
grass and legume seed with 80 lb/acre of medium-ground barley or corn grain has been shown
to provide the most uniform seed distribution. However, 20 pounds of coarse-ground barley
or corn grain and 100 pounds of grass seed will adequately prevent drill box bridging.
Horticultural-grade vermiculite mixed with seed also has been used successfully to prevent
bridging.
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