NRCS – Texas 1 

Technical Note No: TX-PM-10-7

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Technical Note No: TX-PM-10-7

August 2010

Seedbed Preparation

Plant Materials Technical Note

 Photo by Shelly Maher, E. “Kika” de la Garza PMC

Successful establishment of grasses, forbs and legumes requires quality seedbed preparation and 

seeding. Seeding failures can be attributed to many factors including: 

• Poor or inadequate seedbed preparation - including looseness, dryness near the 

surface, and excessive weed competition. 

• Seeding too deep - usually because of a poorly prepared seedbed or no depth 

control. 

• Time of seeding - seedbed preparation began too late, moisture was not kept near 

the surface, and the expected rains either did not occur or were of insufficient 

duration. 

• Poor luck – weed competition, drought, poor seed, and grasshoppers. If seedings 

are left to chance, “poor luck” happens often. 

“Good seed to soil contact required” 

Seeds require water and favorable temperatures for germination. Maintaining seed moisture is 

critical for optimal germination. 
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Technical Note No: TX-PM-10-7

I. Reasons for preparing a seedbed: 

a. To save moisture by eliminating competing vegetation. 

b. To firm the ground so small seeds can come in contact with moisture

c. To help ensure a shallow depth of seed placement. 

d. To eliminate competition by killing undesirable plants before desirable plants are

planted. 

II. How to prepare a spring seedbed (conventional). Mechanical site preparation should be 

considered when your plans involve using a conventional grassland drill (i.e. without no-till 

capacity), or using a broadcast seeder. It should not be considered if any potential erosion 

problems exist. Mechanical site preparation should be considered if the producer needs to 

prepare a site heavily infested with undesirable vegetation. Mechanically prepared sites should 

be a clean, weed free, firm, moist, and smooth prior to planting. 

a. Deep-cultivate in the fall for spring seedings. (following range or pasture, consider allowing one 

or two intervening crops before seeding) 

b. Leave the field rough over the winter. 

c. Harrow or shallow-cultivate early in the spring to break down large clods. 

d. Herbicide with an application of glyphosate a few days prior to planting to kill weeds. 

e. Cultipack the field just before seeding if the soil is loose. If the soil is dry, do not attempt to 

pack. 

III. How to prepare a spring seedbed (no till). Chemical site preparation should be considered 

when your plans involve using a no-till grassland drill to install your seeds or when it’s 

important to maintain some type of cover on the field for erosion control. This type of site 

preparation should not be used if you are planning on broadcasting your seeds. Chemically 

prepared seedbed should also be considered if the producer has no or inadequate tillage 

equipment available.

a. Control weeds in the fall by mowing followed with an application of glyphosate.

b. Control weeds in the spring with repeated applications of glyphosate. Do not disturb the 

residue. Warning- mowing, light tillage or a light harrowing will dislodge residue that will 

rake-up in the drill. Loose plant material will get caught in the drill unit scraping the 

ground and preventing good seed to soil planting. 

IV. How to prepare a fall seedbed (conventional): 

a. Deep-cultivate the preceding fall if weeds or residues are extremely high and dense.

b. Delay deep-cultivation until spring if residues are light and weed densities are low. 

c. Fallow the soil for one growing season. Expect loose dry soil the following fall. 

d. If early fall rains occur, harrow the soil to firm it and control emerging weeds. If rains do 

not occur, let the field set. 

e. Herbicide with an application of glyphosate a few days prior to planting to kill weeds.

f. Delay seeding until after the soil temperatures cool and adequate soil moisture has 

been attained.

g. Cultipack the field just before seeding if the soil is loose. If the soil is dry, do not attempt 

to pack. 
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Technical Note No: TX-PM-10-7

V. How to prepare a fall seedbed (no till): 

a. Control weeds the preceding fall by mowing followed with an application of glyphosate 

or short-lived soil active herbicide. 

b. Control weeds in the spring and summer with repeated applications of glyphosate. Do 

not disturb the residue. Warning- mowing, light tillage or a light harrowing will dislodge 

residue that will rake-up in the drill. 

c. Delay seeding until after the soil temperatures cool and adequate soil moisture has been 

attained. 

VI. A good seedbed is: 

a. Uniformly firm, well packed underneath with small clods and/or light mulch on the 

surface to prevent erosion. 

b. Has moisture near the surface so that shallow planted seeds can begin and continue to 

take up soil moisture. 

c. Is free from weeds and competing vegetation. 

VII. Summary: 

a. Dry seedbeds do not pack. 

b. Beware of drilling on hard surfaced ground. Good soil coverage over the seed can be 

difficult to obtain. Monitor how the drill is performing throughout the planting and 

make adjustments as needed. 

c. Correct firmness is when an adult footprint is only slightly visible on the prepared bed 

prior to the seeding operation.

d. At seeding time, there should be no actively growing weeds.

e. Increasing pounds of seed/acre does not compensate for poor seedbed preparation.

f. Small seeds that germinate will not have enough nutrient reserve to reach the surface if 

planted too deep.

g. Most native species should be planted at a shallow depth of 1⁄4 inch. (seedlings are too 

deep if you cannot see a few seeds on the soil surface)

For additional information please contact:

E. “Kika” de la Garza Plant Materials Center

3409 N FM 1355

Kingsville, TX 78363-2704

361-595-1313

www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/pmc/kingsville.html

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