Herbal Ley sowing date?

[steveR]

I had hoped to be putting in several fields of Herbal Leys this Autumn under the STEPS scheme from Severn Trent, however, the Spring Barley is still standing* there, and listening to the forecast this morning, it doesn't look like coming off in the coming days either...

When do the "herbal" constituents realistically need to be in by, to get them germinated and set safe and ready for Winter? Intention had been to lightly disc and then broadcast and roll. Now looking at a double pass DD into the stubbles as PLENTY of moisture about!

The Bumblebird mix needed to have been in by now, according to one local guy with a lot of experience I spoke with, so that can wait until next year now... But it would have been nice to get the Ley's in, but not to lose some elements of the mix at the price it costs, even from the ever competitive "Kev from Cornwall"!





* At least it is standing!!

 

[Great In Grass]

Before 8 pm Sunday 6th September bearing in mind your soil type.

 

[steveR]

Before 8 pm Sunday 6th September bearing in mind your soil type.

Typical seedsman, vague and wish washy.....

Be nice to see the barley off and the straw cleared by then I have to say!

 

[Great In Grass]

Typical seedsman, vague and wish washy.....

Be nice to see the barley off and the straw cleared by then I have to say!

The herbs and legumes need good soil temps to not only germinate but also for growth the longer the growth period the better they will establish, fingers crossed for some dry settled weather.

Sorry, I couldn't be more precise but being wishy-washy has its benefits.

 

[steveR]

A nice Indian Summer would suit the whole farming community I reckon.....

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Yes, until late November!

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Depends how much more rain we get , water logging no good for any seed
You can't win this year . Spring sowing was far to dry, now seed is getting drown, the book says no later that 1st week of September

 

[DRC]

I had hoped to be putting in several fields of Herbal Leys this Autumn under the STEPS scheme from Severn Trent, however, the Spring Barley is still standing* there, and listening to the forecast this morning, it doesn't look like coming off in the coming days either...

When do the "herbal" constituents realistically need to be in by, to get them germinated and set safe and ready for Winter? Intention had been to lightly disc and then broadcast and roll. Now looking at a double pass DD into the stubbles as PLENTY of moisture about!

The Bumblebird mix needed to have been in by now, according to one local guy with a lot of experience I spoke with, so that can wait until next year now... But it would have been nice to get the Ley's in, but not to lose some elements of the mix at the price it costs, even from the ever competitive "Kev from Cornwall"!





* At least it is standing!!

you have now got me worried, as i have bumblebird mix to put in. prepared the ground, but it's now sodden.
The Steps guide says establish by 15th sept.

 

[steveR]

you have now got me worried, as i have bumblebird mix to put in. prepared the ground, but it's now sodden.
The Steps guide says establish by 15th sept.

I know... if a fail on dates, then plant as soon as the weather warms next Spring was the advice I had.

Depends how much more rain we get , water logging no good for any seed
You can't win this year . Spring sowing was far to dry, now seed is getting drown, the book says no later that 1st week of September

Prezackerly, damned if we do, damned if we don't.

Weather is poor for the coming week..

 

[steveR]

you have now got me worried, as i have bumblebird mix to put in. prepared the ground, but it's now sodden.
The Steps guide says establish by 15th sept.

That's partially why i thought DD or barest min-till, so avoid the risk... I walked one area worked down a fortnight ago after OSR, I could not believe how it had slumped.

Hopefully, my Neighbour's happy with the DD turnips I did, land was walking nicely early in the week Up in 5 days, just needs some N now.

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

In 2016 I got a really good take on the 6th Sept with a direct drill. Last year, 1st week of August and nowhere near as good even with good rain in the first few weeks. Legumes especially poor. I think undersowing in the spring is better but then you have the drought risk. As you say, the seed is too expensive to risk wasting it. You can't win sometimes. Might be better to bide your time all things considered.

 

[DRC]

I know... if a fail on dates, then plant as soon as the weather warms next Spring was the advice I had.


Prezackerly, damned if we do, damned if we don't.

Weather is poor for the coming week..

How’s that work with needing to claim the money by March 1st. The sort of land I’m putting it on won’t drill that early in the spring. I had to plough it to level it, after last autumns disaster . It actually ploughed up really nicely, so maybe try in the next two weeks.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

In 2016 I got a really good take on the 6th Sept with a direct drill. Last year, 1st week of August and nowhere near as good even with good rain in the first few weeks. Legumes especially poor. I think undersowing in the spring is better but then you have the drought risk. As you say, the seed is too expensive to risk wasting it. You can't win sometimes. Might be better to bide your time all things considered.

Its a risk nowadays whenever you sow . Look at the dreadful time arable farmers are having