Italian rye grass

[Rwroberts]

I got my fingers burnt last year dd'ing a 20acre field. It was drilled in late May but along came the drought and not one seed germanated. I plan on trying again this year with a simtech. My question is do I go earlier this year ( this week) or hold off until no frost is more certain but risk dry weather again. North wales about 650' above see level.

 

[tr250]

Personally I'd wait till autumn. Unless it's under sown

 

[deleted user 837354]

I don't see why it wouldn't work this spring unless we get a dry time. Some autumns are pretty dry.

Are you 100% certain there is some tilth/loose soil to surround the seed in the path the drill creates? If there is no soil:seed contact emergence will be pretty uneven.

 

[Rwroberts]

I don't see why it wouldn't work this spring unless we get a dry time. Some autumns are pretty dry.

Are you 100% certain there is some tilth/loose soil to surround the seed in the path the drill creates? If there is no soil:seed contact emergence will be pretty uneven.

I'm pleased with the condition of the soil.

 

[ploughman1963]

I don't see why it wouldn't work this spring unless we get a dry time. Some autumns are pretty dry.

Are you 100% certain there is some tilth/loose soil to surround the seed in the path the drill creates? If there is no soil:seed contact emergence will be pretty uneven.

If he is using a sim tech (baker boot drill) it doesn’t rely on the soil covering the seed - the seed lies in the bottom of the slot where it gets moisture from below. The relative warm and humid conditions in the slot result in a very fast and high percentage germination.

 

[hendrebc]

What would frost do to Italian seedlings anyway?
There's no guarantee this summer will be as dry anyway so it might not matter when you drill it.

 

[Ritchie]

Soil needs to be at about 8 °C in sowing zone to get it to grow .old-fashioned wester wold can grow away at about 5°C.
( flaiming auto correct )


Ritchie