Grass seed bed fertiliser - when?

[Tomjoad]

Intending to sow some grass seed around mid September.
Going to put some 16.16.16 in the seedbed, when is the best time to apply? How far in advance of sowing could / should it go on?

Thanks

 

[deleted user 837354]

Do a soil test first or you are guessing. Apply P and K ahead of the drill.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Put it in the seedbed or just after. Not to much N though . Clover don't like it , if you have done a soil test all the better

 

[Derrick Hughes]

How are you sowing , if its overseeding hold back on the N

 

[Beef farmer]

Put it in the seedbed or just after. Not to much N though . Clover don't like it , if you have done a soil test all the better

Does clover like a mid September sowing date?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Does clover like a mid September sowing date?

Should be fine where you are
Don't think its good to go much later though, but depends on weather, it likes a bit of heat

 

[Great In Grass]

Does clover like a mid September sowing date?

Not really.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Does clover like a mid September sowing date?

If your sowing grass seed any way then white clover will add £4/acre approx to the mix so its not going to break the bank , so its worth a gamble , i never leave it out myself ,
And that's with my farmer hat on

 

[Dog Bowl]

I'd personally get the grass seed in minus the clover seed. Easier for weed control. Then in the spring overseed the clover in.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Clover is quite a clever chap ,if its to cold it will just sit dormant and germinate in the spring,

 

[Sharpy]

Would personally use a lower nitrogen fert, on the day of sowing, high nitrogen tends to help the old sward and weeds bounce back, also depending on weather could you get seed burn from the fert?

 

[HarryB97]

Does clover like a mid September sowing date?

We’ve established most of our grass at the end of the September and the clover always comes well. At first cut it can look thin but as soon as that’s off it appears from everywhere!

 

[M-J-G]

Put it in the seedbed or just after. Not to much N though . Clover don't like it , if you have done a soil test all the better

N won't have any real negative effect on clover at such an early stage.
I'd be more concerned about N helping weeds grow and the fact that it's a waste putting N in with seed because if there is heavy rain it will probably be gone by the time the grass is established enough to make a use of it.

 

[Bury the Trash]

N helps a legume establish until it can make its own , what clover doesn't like is competition, particularly when its establishing itself.
Surely it would be very poor ground that didnt have enough n in soil to be appropriate for autumn sown ?

 

[deleted user 837354]

Does clover like a mid September sowing date?

Depends on your location. I would say the sooner the better, as in, now whilst the soils are warm. Clover needs to be established and have a root mass before the winter comes or it can die. It is slow to establish.

I would not bother with seedbed N, your fertility should be good enough if there is muck involved. If 16:16:16 is all you have and you need to correct P and K get on and use it.

 

[upnortheast]

We like to sow grass seed 1st half Aug, especially if clover involved.
If you can sow about now, leave the clover out as suggested above, then you can give the weeds a good blast of spray end sept. Harrow the clover seed in in spring.
IMO no need for N in Autumn. P & K according to soil analysis
-- but we are 300 miles further north than the OP.