Will spreading lime and seed together harm the seed? Incourage fungus?

[schiker]

I had planned on core aerating spreading seed, fertilizer, and lime then dragging with chain harrow for fescue in red/orange clay that is poor and compacted.
Back yard was an old cow pasture but grading took away the top soil. I am not looking for a golf course or prestine lawn yet.

Garden center told me NOT to spread seed and lime at same time that was a NO-NO. They said it would cause a fungus on the seed coat and harm the seed.

I know lime takes a long to work and have read it will break down some nitrogen if urea based but never heard it will cause a fungus problem or was bad for the seed/sprouts. Can't find it substatiated anywhere else either. My soil is acidic and needs lime per analysis (60 lbs per 1000 sq ft is recommended). I would think soil that acidic how could lime hurt?

What say ya'll. Will fast acting lime or any other lime harm seed or seedlings?


I am not concerned about timing etc. But I don't want to absolutely waste seed. Iam happy with a soil building for now. If I get some germination 30-50% and help build some root penetration organic building for better seeding in the fall I will be happy.

 

[NVW]

I would do a small test in the house and see what happens to the germ.

I would have thought it would prevent fungus. We used to use it int the dairy barn and chicken coup to kill bacterias and bugs.

 

[NVW]

Here's a couple things I found http://www.ehow.com/how_5061332_apply-lime-seeding-lawns.html

 

[tanman_2006]

I am a crop consultant and never have heard of that but who knows yalls soil might be prone to fungus.

I recommended a guy add pelleted lime with his wheat seed during planting and so far havent seen a problem. We applied ~1/4 the recommended rate per 6in soil sample.

 

[btfarm]

I've limed before planting before but I always incorporated it and waited for at least 1 rain before drilling the grass or alfalfa in.

 

[schiker]

Thanks a bunch Leo that makes good sense to me. I just couldn't understand it as NO-NO to spread lime with seed but over liming (because of application technique) I can see now as a problem. And that is the best explanation of how you can over lime by technique I have heard. Many people, if any, aren't going to till under our lawns every year or two to incorporate lime or fertilizer for that matter. So over liming the top could be an issue if analysis recommends a bunch. I have read recommendations of doing 2 applications of lime over a season instead of one but never explained.

Lime is non burning and around here you almost can't put too much out. Our red clay is naturally acidic. I think it is somewhat prone to fungus as any soil that doesn't drain well and has poor aeration is going to be prone to fungus in warm weather if you have a good thatch and get an infestation. But that is not due to Lime. Over time lime will help soil loosen up. Maybe not directly but helps plants attain nuturients by breaking some of the chemical bonds of the acidic clay. Then allows better growth and roots break up the soil best.

Many seed bags recommend tilling Fertilizer AND Lime into soil then leveling, seeding, and lightly cover. Most lime bags say you can lime anytime but it takes a while to work. Never ever heard this warning not to do it with seed. And or ever seen any warnings about lime in general. It seems to be one of the idiot proof things I can do. Now see its not totally idiot proof.

I looked over the internet too but couldn't find anything to substantiate what they were talking about. I called my local Ag school (Clemson) extension agent and he said it wouldn't hurt seed to spread at the same time. I emailed Pennington seed (they seem big around here) and they said lime wouldn't hurt seed. But this is a respected garden/lawn/landscape center and its been bothering me what they are saying. I think they may be mis communicating something.

I guess about the least intrusive way to incorporate fertilizer and lime is aerate. Since my soil is so compacted I don't like to just spread stuff on top and want to preserve the exsisting plants too.

 

[schiker]

Yeah, I agree its best to do it ahead of time and lime takes a while to work. But I don't want to aerate too much and limited how to incorporate it is why I want to do do it all together.

Maybe this fall if I get timing better I will try to aerate fert and lime then wait and seed with an actual overseeder machine or no till if I can find something good to rent.

 

[schiker]

Our red clay is naturally acidic. I think it is somewhat prone to fungus as any soil that doesn't drain well and has poor aeration is going to be prone to fungus in warm weather if you have a good thatch and get an infestation. But that is not due to Lime.

By the way I thought most of our fungus issues here were due to poor aeration and high nitrogen due to thatch break down (and slower growth/nitrogen demand) in hot weather. I thought lime helped stuff break down (in a good way) so again a bit befuddled about them saying lime will encourage or promote a fungus???

Maybe I can see a bit acidic soil will retard fungus growth? But maybe a miscommunication to say lime will cause a fungus. ?????

 

[btfarm]

Maybe aerate, spread, drag, water (or rain), broadcast/drag (or drill) is the better sequence. At least then you are getting some of the lime down into the root zone and leaving some seedbed pockets (drill holes) for the new seed to sprout.

 

[schiker]

I went back to the landscape center today and talked to thier expert. Its the best local store for the good products. He said some of the help doesn't know "the rest of the story". He said they have to try and keep customers safe so they don't damage thier lawns (so they have some basic rules they suggest).

After I paraphrased Leo's attachment, discussed what I had posted earlier, plus our current local weather he said it would be ok. Using Leo's info and Tanners advice I explained I now wanted to core areating and will reduce application by 1/3 or a little more the recommended amount for the 6" soil sample, and fertilize. He said sure that would be ok to aerate spread lime, fert., and seed back to back then drag. He said the danger is heavy overlimed surface application (ie no incorporation) can harm seed in warmer weather.

Thanks for discussing it with me. Learn something new / have a little better understanding everyday thanks to the forum.

 

[NVW]

Glad you got it figured out, I couldn't see lime causing a fungus myself.

 

[tanman_2006]

Our grass fields dont have a problem with too much "thatch" down here and there isnt enough moisture for us to grow much fungus. Lawns could have that problem.

I am no lawn expert, I spray mine out with round up once every summer so I dont have to mow as much lol. I get free seed cleanings from the local seed dealer/breeder and spread them in the spring so it is nice and green when I am not swamped by work, when I get busy I just kill it and start watering again when things slow down.