overseeding fescue

[ugabulldog]

I have tall fescue pastures but want to overseed w/ more 31 to fill in thin/bare areas. I plan on having chicken litter spread in Sept. then broadcasting seed in late Sept/Oct. I have access to a disc, landscape rake, flail mower I could lower to ground and run over it with the roller (not cutting) and could make a chain link gate type harrow if needed. My questions are: What should I use to prepare soil for seed, and what to use after it's sown. Try to time seeding before a good rain also, correct. Second, how many lbs/acre for seed. And, can I put cattle back onto pasture until seeds start to sprout in spring, then take them off so they don't pull roots up, and leave off for how long? or leave them off all together? Also, could I spray 2,4-d next spring without hurting new fescue? thanks

 

[skyhightree1]

I either have mine cut low by using it for hay or letting cattle graze it close to the ground and then overseed. I broadcast then disc over the area . I do not keep any cows on the reseeded area but will put them on there the next spring. 24d will not hurt the fescue as long as you don't sit there and soak the crap out of it in one spot.

 

[aaroninga]

We're in the same area and doing the same thing except I'm planting my first fescue along with clover.
I'll drill it around October 1st at about 40# an acre where johnson grass and Bermuda are when there is moisture in the ground, after grazing it short. And hopefully right before a good rain. I'll not drag the drill chains to cover the seed because I'll come back right away and spread clover, then drag with chain link.

I'm putting lime this Friday and litter in late September or October.
I could be wrong but I'm hoping to graze it mid to late November after the roots are established.
If I remember right Dun had posted in the past to give it 5-6 weeks then grab a handful and pull it like a cow grazing. If the grass breaks off and don't pull up the roots it's established enough to graze.

I was going to prep with a harrow with straight or slightly turned disks but got the drill.

 

[dun]

Any type of discing is going to stir up a whole new catalog of weed seed. Better to no-till the seed, very shallow. Depending on your soild it helps if the ground has a bit of moisture in it so the colters can get the seed below the surface

 

[Ebenezer]

We're in the same area and doing the same thing except I'm planting my first fescue along with clover.
I'll drill it around October 1st at about 40# an acre where johnson grass and Bermuda are when there is moisture in the ground, after grazing it short. And hopefully right before a good rain. I'll not drag the drill chains to cover the seed because I'll come back right away and spread clover, then drag with chain link.

I'm putting lime this Friday and litter in late September or October.
I could be wrong but I'm hoping to graze it mid to late November after the roots are established.
If I remember right Dun had posted in the past to give it 5-6 weeks then grab a handful and pull it like a cow grazing. If the grass breaks off and don't pull up the roots it's established enough to graze.

I was going to prep with a harrow with straight or slightly turned disks but got the drill.

Lime will bind up part of the nutrients in the litter when spread too close together. Lime will not help you for 6 months very much. Plant clover seeds next February if you do graze the pasture down any prior to that. I would put out liter about 6 months after I put out lime.

Like Dun,I would only go no-till. Funny thing, I never saw a reseeded fescue pasture get the cover like a new planted field. Seems the old fescue hurts the new plants.

 

[skyhightree1]

[ I never saw a reseeded fescue pasture get the cover like a new planted field. Seems the old fescue hurts the new plants.

Not true of my place

 

[Anonymous]

problem i always had was volunteer fescue comes in any thing you plant .so never have to worry your going have fescue in time no matter what you sow .no till is the way to go today i suppose .my best luck was aug, plow down lime wait for few weeks disc 1 time apply small amout fert disc agian,oct sow cover of wheat ,wait for spring apply major amount N P K wait agian for rain to wash fer in ,disc 2 time plant . stays fairly clean for 2 yrs before you get volunteer fescue.

 

[SJB]

If you're just overseeding, why can't you just broadcast it like Mother Nature does?

Most grasses and grains will grow in the bed of a pickup truck, the ones I've worked with really don't need much more than a little rain.

 

[Ebenezer]

If you're just overseeding, why can't you just broadcast it like Mother Nature does?

Most grasses and grains will grow in the bed of a pickup truck, the ones I've worked with really don't need much more than a little rain.

Only advantage to drill with a no-till (or any kind) is even distribution and slightly better germination and survival potential. Could trade out cost of the drill, bump up the seeding rate to broadcast and probably never know the difference.

 

[aaroninga]

We're in the same area and doing the same thing except I'm planting my first fescue along with clover.
I'll drill it around October 1st at about 40# an acre where johnson grass and Bermuda are when there is moisture in the ground, after grazing it short. And hopefully right before a good rain. I'll not drag the drill chains to cover the seed because I'll come back right away and spread clover, then drag with chain link.

I'm putting lime this Friday and litter in late September or October.
I could be wrong but I'm hoping to graze it mid to late November after the roots are established.
If I remember right Dun had posted in the past to give it 5-6 weeks then grab a handful and pull it like a cow grazing. If the grass breaks off and don't pull up the roots it's established enough to graze.

I was going to prep with a harrow with straight or slightly turned disks but got the drill.

Lime will bind up part of the nutrients in the litter when spread too close together. Lime will not help you for 6 months very much. Plant clover seeds next February if you do graze the pasture down any prior to that. I would put out liter about 6 months after I put out lime.

Like Dun,I would only go no-till. Funny thing, I never saw a reseeded fescue pasture get the cover like a new planted field. Seems the old fescue hurts the new plants.

Thanks Ebenezer
You made me do more thorough research on the UGA extension website.
You are absolutely right.
Their studies show to let fescue get established before adding clover. If not clover will suppress fescue seedlings. I guess clover gets going quicker when planted at the same time. Graze fescue down low or cut without causing damage to remove most leaf so it don't shade the clover seedlings.
Frost seed the clover early next year. Right again!
You guys are very helpful.