Broadcasting in narrow spaces

Hi I have some narrowish rows between swales and I want to establish cover crops between them but not on the mounds themselves ( they are mulched and planted and I dont want grass competition or have a way to terminate on the mound).

My broadcast seeder is a large chest wearable version and its throw is not easily controlled.  What is a good method/mechanism for more precise broadcasting?

Mine has a hinged flap on the left side (see picture). I wish it had one on both sides.  This limits the overall width of the broadcast. I think something as simple as cardboard and tape could be used to mimic it.

Sometimes I go real old school and broadcast seed by hand.

I've been able to seed really thin and irregular shaped areas this way, plus it's fun!

I have tried by hand a few times, and just do a horrible job of it.  Thick spots and thin. Horrible technique Im sure.

had the chinese version little brother to that lasted about 20 seconds, a dixie cup works much better getting seed where you want it

Try using a bucket lid. Some angle iron. A threaded rod and nuts, and then a cordless drill.

I did this with a bigger drill and a generator to spread a ten acre field, but with a cordless drill, you could get varied width coverage.

Was thinking about drilling some holes in 5 gallon bucket and just walking around with it and jiggling it...like a big salt shaker.

Steve Thorn wrote:Sometimes I go real old school and broadcast seed by hand.

I've been able to seed really thin and irregular shaped areas this way, plus it's fun!

Yes! With some practice and mindfulness it can be done quite evenly.  I carry a two gallon bucket of seed in my left hand and with my right barely cupped hand scoop up some seed...then move my arm in an arc in front of me while allowing the seeds to 'fly' off of my open hand (hand is facing up, of course)...it's easy to do a really wide area as well as a more narrow space and can control the plant density by the amount of seed picked up in each scoop.

Michael Jameson wrote:Was thinking about drilling some holes in 5 gallon bucket and just walking around with it and jiggling it...like a big salt shaker.

Hey, have you done it yet? Let us know how it goes.

If you are going to be doing this often buy a drop spreader.

Tossing a handful of seed in front of the nozzle of a leaf blower would work as well.

Just keep in mind, the seeding rate is typically around 15 pounds to the acre for grasses...that is not a lot, but it does not have to be. The grass will fill in over the next few years so 100% coverage is NOT required. Nature really hates bare feet so a farmer does not have to spend tons of money to shod her feet the first year out.