New 2305 Owner...Have Landscape Question....

[thepawnshop]

couple of questions before we comment further:

* What model, size Landscape rake do you have?

I have the JD Frontier 1048

* Can you selectively irrigate/water the areas you want to seed?

Yes, I do have irrigation installed

 

[Houndsman]

Doug,
sounds like VA Blue's got some regional experience/expertise. I can't comment on your soil or best seed. TBNers have proposed some good decision-making options for consideration. My land has about 1 acre's worth of compacted clay bare zones, where the thin top soil did not lay down. For using a Landpride model Lscape rake (Mine's a 1072):
* I removed every other tine on the rake for better penetration/scratching.
* I used repetitive passes at opposite angles and was able to scratch up 3" worth of loose clay/soil.
* For seed prep: Because I do have slope and some swailing, I scratched
downslope for final furrows. Then I seeded. Then I scratched slow, w/ a lot of 3pt control, across any sloping, to enhance water capture as it moves downslope (regardless of pitch of slope angle). My theory was that Scratching across also enhances my seed-soil contact.
* Subject to your seed and weather--- I watered every day for 4 days at dusk.

My grass/prarie mix seed is coming in. I do know though, that I'll have to plug and ammend in the fall. I thought it more important to get the grass established.
v/r mark

 

[Loogie]

What condition is the lot in now? I'm going through the same thing and after considerable research I decided that my beloved 2305 just wasn't up to the job. It probably COULD do it but wold have required several implements all of which I would have had to purchase. I decided to rent a skidsteer and Harley Rake. The Harley Rake will devour anything in your soil, turn it over, smooth it out, windrow any debris off to the side and leave a perfect seedbed...all in one operation. The time and cost savings are both considerable. I'm getting the whole shooting match for $450/day and it will only take 1 day to do my 3 acres. Something to consider. If you decide to go that route then you should kill eveything first too.

 

[Rara Avis]

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This is a product that really works!!!

 

[Mayor]

As said rent a tiller and start around 3in then go a little deeper. The next thing I would run a box blade to level everything out. Pick up the larger rocks then reseed the area. Now with that size lot your going to have to put some hey down to keep the grass moist. Water, Water, water. Good luck!!!!

 

[Loogie]

I have a lot of experience now with my boxblade on the 2305. Because there is no position control on our 3PH's you are somewhat limited. If the ground is firm then you can get things pretty level with the box blade, but if you till it and then try to use the box blade the tractor will be climbing and rolling all over the place and that motion will be directly reflected in the path you leave behind with the box blade. Ifyou do decide to till then I'd recommend rolling it a bit before you box blade. That will help.

 

[Mayor]

As Loogie said it does take some time to get the skills to run the BB right. I first back blade with the FEL to level things out then run the BB to finish it off. That works best for me anyway. This is a small project I did this summer. Had to bring in a lot of dirt to make the are level.