novice seed planting question

[goosifer]

I was thinking about using Arrow Seed Green Screen Food Plot Screen Mix to make a border around my food plots. Would this Earthway 1001-B Precision Garden Seeder be a reasonable way to plant the seeds? It costs around a $100. Thanks.

[sailinghudson25]

Good little seeder.  I own one.  I do green beans with it.  I have done a bit of corn, for eating. 

 

I could see sorghum being planted via boradcasting.  Mix it in with lime.  And then do 3 passes to evenly spead it where you want it.  Doesnt need to be perfect.

[goosifer]

thanks sailinghudson25. I am just trying to do a privacy fence, maybe 3 rows covering 5' wide, so I think the seeder will do a better job.

[TACC]

Good info

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[sailinghudson25]

The planter has various discs.  You need the right disc that not only has the right spacing, but accepts the right size of seed. 

 

I think your privacy row should be wider like 12-15 feet.  OR find a not so tall variety.  Preferably both.  Sorghum is grown as a feed crop, so you're not wasting valuable food plot space.

 

Big plants need big roots,  what do you have to till with?  How good is the soil?

 

Deer are happy with 4 feet tall cover, so don't feed obligated to get a monster variety.

 

As said before, if sorghum doesn't need a deep seeding, just mix it up with enough pelletized lime to do the area in 3 passes.  The occasional seed in the mixed up lime will spread it pretty evenly.

 

Think of a nursery crop to grow with this.  Especially if you think weeds will have a field day there.

It's always good to till and lime, then till a few days later.  If I;m doing this in the summer,  I deep till 1st, then or sratch lightly once a week for 2 weeks.  This brings up seeds, getting them started, then the till kills them.  Seed can be dormant for many many years in deeper soils.  I've gooten easily 95% weed free in a weedy mess with this method.   Even more important in the spring because thats when the weed seeds awake and have plenty of moitsure to germinate well.

[growalot]

I have that seeded,great for the garden but in my Rocky plots not so much.. I broad cast all my plot sorghum and corn.

[growalot]

I have that seeder..

[goosifer]

The reason I was interested in the seeder is that the instructions for the Green Screen mix emphasize to plant in 30" rows and not overcrowd the plants.

For "tilling" I was going to rent a soil conditioner/harley rake/power box rake to attach to my skidsteer. I am hopeful that will be sufficient to loosen up the soil. If not, the Bobcat dealer also has a rototiller attachment for the skidsteer, (I might need the rototiller for lime to get into the soil; don't think I'll need to disturb that deep for the seeds per se.)

Deer might be OK with 4' of cover, but I would need at least 6' of cover so the deer don't see me  Also, Iwant a privacy screen from the street angle.

I can go wider on the rows. What would be an example of a "nursery crop"?

Edited March 11, 2017 by goosifer
typo

[growalot]

Red clover or a climbing bean.