what attachment do I need?

[ykpowers]

My wife would me to plant several wildflower beds along the edges of our property. I dont belive I need to fully plow the soil up for this but would a cultuvator break up the ground well enough for this? The areas will be about 10x40 each

 

[Jd5203]

I would say either a small offset disc or a tiller is what you want. If you can afford it, definitely go with the tiller.

 

[RalphVa]

All I've done for beds like this is to get some compost (or use your own). Just spread 3 or 4 inches of it over the area where you want flowers and seed into it. Seeds will sprout directly in mushroom compost, not in some other composts.

Ralph

 

[PILOON]

I have been seeding wild LUPINS all over the place and simply toss them by the roadside and they take like weeds.
I also have seeded those wildflower mixes the same way. Nature seems to do the job.

 

[jenkinsph]

I have been seeding wild LUPINS all over the place and simply toss them by the roadside and they take like weeds.
I also have seeded those wildflower mixes the same way. Nature seems to do the job.

I agree ^^^

 

[TomSeller]

In my opinion wild flowers are weeds. If they self propagate and if you care for your property, you may regret planting them. Your neighbors surely will. I don't understand why people think they need to change the local plant species. I would like to (can't say) anyone spreading invasive seeds along roads next to my fields. Maybe I should release rats onto their property. Stop spreading invasive plants!!

 

[NewfieDan]

I have been seeding wild LUPINS all over the place and simply toss them by the roadside and they take like weeds.
I also have seeded those wildflower mixes the same way. Nature seems to do the job.

Where I live the provincial government has deemed to Lupins to be an invasive species and are not allowed to be propagated. Anyone found doing this can be fined.

 

[Egon]

Many of the wild species grow well on not so good land. Over time they help build up soil nutrients.

 

[schmism]

in a pinch a box blade with the rippers set down will do well to break up the ground. Doesnt "till" persay but will rip it up to get seeds in.

I mention the BB because its perhaps the most common attachment a tractor owner would have other than a brush hog.

 

[BukitCase]

Just a caution - as nice as a tiller would be, the older tractors weren't slow enough in low gear to do a good job - even if your 8n has the "sherman" option, lowest speed at pto rpm is 2.8 mph, good tilth is much easier below 1mph.

TractorData.com Ford 8N tractor transmission information

scroll down to see the sherman auxiliary option's specs...

I have a Long 460, bottom gear is 1.7 mph, and 4-5 passes with a 6 foot tiller was common - so I found an Allis-Chalmers 160 with the slo-lo option, bottom gear is 0.6 mph. Tilling same areas in one of the two lowest gears nets same results with ONE pass. Now I keep the flail on the "speed demon", and do most other stuff with the AC.

Just sayin' - woulda LOVED having someone tell ME that BEFORE ... Steve