Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations New seeding around pond

Well I'm about ready to sow some grass seed around my pound and was curious as what methods you have found the best. I have a tiller and a roller to use. I've heard you should till, then roll it, seed it, then roll it again. I also wonder about just tilling it, seed it and then roll it.

Suggestions?

Ground contact should be all you need....rolling only or draging would be best.

Then just pray enough rain falls to get it established or irrigate if possible.

Edit: Tilling would only be to kill any plants already growing, but also has the potential of causing massive erosion of soil that will re-fill your pond....you don't want to till the grass seed into the ground.

The grass seed should be covered with 1/8" - 1/4" of dirt, and good soil to seed contact should be made. Rolling will give you good seed to soil contact. Keep the seed moist. Every time it dries out, a good rule of thumb is that you will lose 50% of the viable seed. Many short watering sessions per day will help keep it moist, vs. a few long watering sessions, which will tend to wash away seed and erode the soil.

You need to roll after tilling to firm the seed bed. Skiping this step can push the seed to deep and it will not germinate. A week ago I planted the repaired area around my pond (about an acre). I had massive erison from the 8" rain event we had in july so I had to drag also before rolling the first time to level the area. I would also plant oats as a cover crop, this will germinate very quickly and hold the soil for you. The great thing about planting grass this time of year is that once it germinates the dew in the mornings keep it going between rains.