The back 35

[Meadowlark]

Started the next big project on the property this afternoon...getting an established stand of pasture/protective grass in place.

The seed is terribly expensive, but my choice based on performance on the rest of the ranch is Argentine Bahia.

Just like in a garden, it is wise to prepare a seed bed before planting especially with expensive seed that you want to give every chance to germinate and grow without undo competition.

Equipment is must on this much land and my equipment is old but so am I, but it works efficiently and so do I hopefully.

A 40 year old tractor, a disc about the same age, and a section of log pulled behind to help level things out much like a harrow but free.

I spent a couple of hours working it this afternoon and probably prepared about 10 acres worth for planting.

 

[Tundra20]

very nice !!!

 

[Sheal]

Lacking rain how does the grass seed cope with germination and early growth?

 

[Meadowlark]

Lacking rain how does the grass seed cope with germination and early growth?

Not very well. It will germinate...about 85% rate...but it can take weeks to get it all germinated. Rain would speed that up most beneficially. Rain would also really speed up the establishment process.

In case you aren't familiar with the Argentine Bahia and in any northern climates that would be expected, it is remarkably resilient, very tough, drought‑tolerant, and low‑maintenance...but slow to establish especially lacking rainfall.

It really helps, especially lacking rain, to reduce/eliminate the competition.

 

[Sheal]

I believe the Argentine Bahia is a much courser grass than we use here, so I can understand it being more resilient. Do you class it as a meadow grass or would you use it for home lawns too?

 

[Meadowlark]

Personally, I would not use it as a home lawn grass mainly because of its "coarseness"...but if that didn't matter much to the owner, it would make a fine lawn.

 

[Meadowlark]

Seeding the Argentine Bahia on the back 35 was completed yesterday and luckily followed by an inch of rain last night

Looks like I will have some big round bales of hay left-over from the mild winter and that will be repurposed into seed by just rolling out the hay on the grounds.

Seed is incredibly expensive this year going at about $10 per pound and each bale I figure will offer several pounds of seed from chemical free hay.

 

[Sheal]

Is the grass up yet @Meadowlark ?

 

[Meadowlark]

No rain...zero since the initial planting.

I did a little test plot with the seed in a container that was watered and great germination and lots of grass sprigs.

My weather says rain this weekend...sure hope so. I'm afraid some of the seed in the pasture may have germinated and died for lack of water....we will see.

 

[Sheal]

Well at least you know it's germinating and not dodgy seed. Frustrating though waiting for it to rain.

 

[Meadowlark]

My fear is that it may have germinated with the moisture it received right after seeding then died for lack of rain since then.

Will be able to find out soon cause thankfully getting some light rain here now.

 

[Sheal]

That's a lot of seed to lose especially if you have to start again. Fingers crossed that the coming rain helps. I realise you live in a mostly dry area but would it be possible to start it at another time of year perhaps, when rain is more likely?

 

[Meadowlark]

That's a lot of seed to lose especially if you have to start again. Fingers crossed that the coming rain helps. I realise you live in a mostly dry area but would it be possible to start it at another time of year perhaps, when rain is more likely?

The thing is...this is the right time for here. It is just that we have been in no/low rainfall pattern since last September. Usually, we get significant rains now from stalling weather fronts.

That seed is so expensive...real farmers must experience significant duress from seeding.

 

[Meadowlark]

Update....mission accomplished.

Property "before":

Property today:

The seeded Argentine Bahia Grass is coming on strong now with good rains. It is up at least a foot high to the delight of the cattle herd that received the first grazing rights.

Its finished...all except for building the pond and stocking it with fish. For now, it is so enjoyable to see project come to completion and just watch the cattle enjoy it.

 

[Tundra20]

that is awesome love seeing land taken care of like this very nice job