How to seed 2 acres of grass

[PROFarms]

Have a smallholding down in Devon and taken on a 2ac field that was ploughed at the back end of last year but then never got drilled. Weeds and grass have started coming through so planning to spray off with roundup over next few days but then debating the next thing to do. have access to a compact tractor with small rotavator on the back or can disc harrow it just to break up and level out a bit.
When it comes to putting seed in the ground my options are either using old Vicon MK II wagtail spreader or try to get a contractor in to do it? What are peoples thoughts? if i go down either route what do i need to do after seed gone in the ground? Will i struggle to get a contractor for such small acreage?
All advice and opinions welcome please as hoping to get sorted over the next couple of weeks.

 

[JumboUk]

slug pelleter mounted on a quad bike?

 

[PROFarms]

slug pelleter mounted on a quad bike?

Don’t own or know of anyone with a slug Pelletier unfortunately

 

[Flat 10]

Wagtail would be fine surely, millions of acres done with one. Roll until dizzy after.

 

[Dry Rot]

Two acres? How do you think they used to do it?

Round up the weeds and break the surface up somehow to create a tilth. Either mix your grass seed in with your fertiliser (use a spade) and put it on with a wagtail or put the grass seed on by hand. 2 acres is not that much. Then scratch the surface with something to bury the seed. Doesn't need to be deep. I've used a piece of chain link. They often used to use a couple of hawthorn bushes! Then roll, roll, roll. If you haven't got a roller, use the tractor wheel.

 

[fenhayman]

Get hold of an Aero seed fiddle. Can cover 2 acres in half a day. Still some around.

 

[Dry Rot]

Get hold of an Aero seed fiddle. Can cover 2 acres in half a day. Still some around.

Luxury! Never had one of those but seen them. Half an old sack with a cord to hang it from your neck, then using left and right hands, alternately, broadcast the seed by flinging it to left and right as you march forward at a steady pace. It's been sown like that for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Lightly harrowing a few times, at right angles to the last, completes the spread.

 

[cotswoldcs]

Use what you've got. If you're worrided spend a bit more on seed rather than paying a contractor who may or may not do a better job than you. And more importantly roll, roll and roll again.

 

[ewald]

Use the Vicon - drive at about 8-10 foot bouts, it will do a good enough job

 

[chaffcutter]

Split your seed in two and sow it both ways. I’ve seeded hundreds of acres with a wagtail with a Cambridge roll on the back, worked a treat. Use your discs first several times over to get a nice fine tilth and as level as you can.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372983278321 Perfect for this job. I have two and they still do their thing.
SS

 

[heritagefarmer]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372983278321 Perfect for this job. I have two and they still do their thing.
SS

Used one to put a similar amount in on my apprenticeship. Sown both ways in the morning, harrowed and rolled with the horse in the afternoon. Was very surprised how even it came.

 

[wr.]

Use the Vicon - drive at about 8-10 foot bouts, it will do a good enough job

I sowed plenty with the Vicon and it did a good job. As @ewald says, about 7-8 feet between your tyre marks, 540pto speed, 7-8 mph set at 12 and go over it twice. Second time across your first wheel marks. After your first pass you will know if you need to adjust your Vicon for the second pass + or - a bit.
Wait for a calm day

 

[suffolksmallholder]

For horse repla

Used one to put a similar amount in on my apprenticeship. Sown both ways in the morning, harrowed and rolled with the horse in the afternoon. Was very surprised how even it came.

For horse replace with Honda quad, its little chain harrow followed by one of the pups of a full Cambridge set. Good job!

SS

 

[Kidds]

Wagtail will do it. I usually sow twice, half the seed in one direction and half at 90 degrees. It evens out the patchiness.
It works better if you block one of the holes so the others are open a bit more, grass seed bridges quite easy. I use a 35 so can reach the hopper and shake it from time to time.

 

[Dry Rot]

I'm surprised none in favour of just sowing grass seed by hand on a small area which is something I learnt to do in my youth. It is quite relaxing developing a rhythm, flinging it to left and right, using alternate hands, while maintaining an even pace. If there is moisture and warmth, grass will grow which is why I suspect most here will be rounduping their yards in a couple of weeks!

I looked on Youtube and Google images but couldn't find anything other than doing a small area like a lawn using one hand or an expensive hand broadcaster. But here are two images, one of a Russian peasant and the other of a medieval farmer. They would have used both hands. I can't see the sense of buying an expensive gadget or borrowing a wag tail for a job that would take a morning at most.

 

[Kidds]

The pics are sowing grain. Grass is more seed and doesn't throw as far.
Wouldn't bother me to do 2 acres by hand but I do have a wagtail. I have top dressed probably thousands of acres by hand over the years with a bucket and cup. 15cwt/acre on rhubarb = a lot of buckets.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Unfortunately the Aero seed fiddle has become a 'collectors item' hence the current prices asked. Mine cost less than £20 a decade and a half ago. I'd borrowed a friends and I was so impressed with it I bought one for myself. I later discovered someone had 'borrowed' my friends Aero on a permanent basis so I bought him a replacement to say thanks and this cost around £15 at that time. Then I bought a wreck as there was a fellow making spares in Ireland and then fitted the spares hence I have two. Mine original is a GT version as it has a hollow fibreglass 'bow' and a beautiful very tall linen seed bag made by Mrs SS

I've never used it for anything other than for seeding grass and yes wind is its enemy

And yes I have tried the hand-sowing malarky @Dry Rot using a dustbin lid, on numerous occasions, but I much prefer the Aero and thank my friend for his timely advice all those years back.

Perhaps I should hire the second unit out for occasions such as this???

SS

 

[PROFarms]

Thanks for the responses. I’m going to give it a go with the wagtail tomorrow or Tuesday, then the message I seem to have picked up is to roll roll roll afterwards?

 

[Flat 10]

Thanks for the responses. I’m going to give it a go with the wagtail tomorrow or Tuesday, then the message I seem to have picked up is to roll roll roll afterwards?

And before if it’s very soft. You should be able to ride a bicycle on it......