Hi, inexperienced small land owner here with a few acres of pasture. Normally I would have my pasture mown for hay once a year and grazed by sheep later in the year, which keeps the grass under control but the soil organic matter is 4% and I want to get it higher. I have quite quite a bit of dock and a large and growing patch of creeping thistle.
Recently I have planted several rows of trees across the pasture to help provide shade, fix nitrogen and increase biodiversity. The trees are currently about 1m tall and are in tree shelters supported by stakes.
Currently the grass is flowering, with stalks of around 50cm and a thick understory of green grass.
Due to the small trees it's not practical to bring in livestock this year (sheep break the stakes by rubbing on them and the shape of the rows means it's not practical to put in temporary fencing). And as well as that I haven't been offered a good price for the hay, so I'm considering this year simply mowing the grass and leaving the "hay" in place to rot.
I'm thinking this might prevent the pasture turning to thicket and also boost soil organic matter.
On the other hand the mowing could smother the grass and preference the stronger weeds.
The dock has already seeded but the thistle hasn't yet.
Any thoughts or advice? How should I manage a pasture for a few years without livestock until the trees are bigger, to promote long term grass productivity as well as soil health?
Thanks for any help!
Recently I have planted several rows of trees across the pasture to help provide shade, fix nitrogen and increase biodiversity. The trees are currently about 1m tall and are in tree shelters supported by stakes.
Currently the grass is flowering, with stalks of around 50cm and a thick understory of green grass.
Due to the small trees it's not practical to bring in livestock this year (sheep break the stakes by rubbing on them and the shape of the rows means it's not practical to put in temporary fencing). And as well as that I haven't been offered a good price for the hay, so I'm considering this year simply mowing the grass and leaving the "hay" in place to rot.
I'm thinking this might prevent the pasture turning to thicket and also boost soil organic matter.
On the other hand the mowing could smother the grass and preference the stronger weeds.
The dock has already seeded but the thistle hasn't yet.
Any thoughts or advice? How should I manage a pasture for a few years without livestock until the trees are bigger, to promote long term grass productivity as well as soil health?
Thanks for any help!