Direct drilling into grass

[Jonny_2]

Got a field of permanent pasture to reseed and aiming to drill straight into it. Sprayed off two weeks ago then had some p,k and lime.

I want to drill straight into it however slightly concerned there is to much old grass still there. Hogs and empty ewes are on it but don’t really touch the thicker patches. Would you see much benefit if you harrowed it? Tia

 

[Recoil]

You could go over it with a flail mower really low. That would clean it off.

 

[milkloss]

If it’s had lime then I can’t see the old thatch being a problem. Might even help by keeping the sun off the dead ground a little but then it will be drawing moisture out at the same time.......... head scratcher.

 

[hally]

Got a field of permanent pasture to reseed and aiming to drill straight into it. Sprayed off two weeks ago then had some p,k and lime.

I want to drill straight into it however slightly concerned there is to much old grass still there. Hogs and empty ewes are on it but don’t really touch the thicker patches. Would you see much benefit if you harrowed it? Tia

Most drills will handle that, should be no problem get it done

 

[Devil's advocate]

Could you utilise a brassica pioneer crop?

 

[Dkb]

What size is the field and how many sheep are on it?

I’d drill it but if possible graze it tighter

 

[Clever Dic]

Given the choice do your direct drilling of grass in the autumn .
Much better and consistent results.

 

[tr250]

Given the choice do your direct drilling of grass in the autumn .
Much better and consistent results.

+1 for autumn

 

[vinnie123]

Drill it two ways with a vaderstad or similar , that will look fairly tame on the first pass but when you hit it the second time it creates a lovely tilth

 

[Yale]

+1 for autumn

I can confirm that spring is too risky as I did some as a trial last year and with it flipping from cold to dry within 2 weeks it meant it failed.

I did however stitch the seed in without spraying off though to be fair.

 

[Jonny_2]

Gone for spring as we are on heavy land and need as many acres as I can for wintering. Won’t take a proper hard grazing over winter but will be grazed in November. Did a field last spring which was cultivated and did do really well tbf.

Booked the drill on Tuesday so just waiting now! Going to drill it twice then wait for some rain!!

 

[DB67]

Have people found direct drilling grass good? Not many folk do it up here but on ground not as suitable for ploughing it looks a great idea.

 

[tr250]

If it’s not suitable for ploughing I’d think it may not be suitable for Dd either

 

[Suckndiesel]

Gone for spring as we are on heavy land and need as many acres as I can for wintering. Won’t take a proper hard grazing over winter but will be grazed in November. Did a field last spring which was cultivated and did do really well tbf.

Booked the drill on Tuesday so just waiting now! Going to drill it twice then wait for some rain!!

What kind of drill is it?

 

[Suckndiesel]

Have people found direct drilling grass good? Not many folk do it up here but on ground not as suitable for ploughing it looks a great idea.

Do any reseeding here with an aitchison, we try to avoid ploughing if we can. I like the fact it’s less weather dependant, we have reseeded in some pretty wet conditions.

 

[Dave6170]

Have people found direct drilling grass good? Not many folk do it up here but on ground not as suitable for ploughing it looks a great idea.

I ve done it here with a vredo and a vaderstad, both worked fine.

 

[milkloss]

At what point do you fertilise the new seeds? We’ve done a bit into Yorkshire fog sort of stuff and it’s up but I don’t want to encourage the old rank stuff too much yet. It’s had some 0:20:30 to help it get started and some lime.

Thanks.

 

[Suckndiesel]

At what point do you fertilise the new seeds? We’ve done a bit into Yorkshire fog sort of stuff and it’s up but I don’t want to encourage the old rank stuff too much yet. It’s had some 0:20:30 to help it get started and some lime.

Thanks.

We fertilise it as soon as it’s up, with something like 20-10-10. We always lime it as well as rotting matter is meant to be acidic.
Biggest problem we have with direct drilling is slugs.

 

[Jonny_2]

What kind of drill is it?

Vaderstad rapide. Been in 3 weeks tomorrow but not looking promising. Tyfon and Italian ryegrass is through but long term ley looks like a write off. It’s gone in too deep I think (about 2 inch) and left a big slot. Rolled it straight way once then got rained off but not made much impression on it!

 

[milkloss]

Vaderstad rapide. Been in 3 weeks tomorrow but not looking promising. Tyfon and Italian ryegrass is through but long term ley looks like a write off. It’s gone in too deep I think (about 2 inch) and left a big slot. Rolled it straight way once then got rained off but not made much impression on it!

Had the same here with a vader. If it dries up the slots just open up and nothing grows.