Lime after reseed

[AyeCoff]

Hi all, complete newbie here (both forum and to farming). We just purchased some land, some of which was sowed to turnips, we reseeded it to grass two weeks ago tomorrow. We ordered lime well before the reseed but either due to COVID complications or otherwise the lime only arrived today. Grass shoots just coming through now which makes me think it’s probably not the best idea to run a spreader over it? First chance I can get a spreader is the weekend and have been advised that if it stays dry it would be fine. Is this the case? If not when could it be done, lime is sitting outside currently, is that an issue if we have to leave it a few weeks? Sorry if these are stupid newbie questions - Thanks in advance!

 

[Macsky]

Just get it spread, sooner the better I’d say.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Need a picture . But if it's just coming though no way travel on it, leave it until after first grazing

 

[Kevtherev]

Leave it until the grass is better established

 

[AyeCoff]

Need a picture . But if it's just coming though no way travel on it, leave it until after first grazing

sorry about poor light but tried to also get a close up

 

[deleted user 837354]

I'd leave it until the grass was covering over.

 

[AyeCoff]

If I leave it, how well does lime store outdoors? Would the rain affect it?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

sorry about poor light but tried to also get a close up

Did you roll it . But 100 % dont go on that , no point us being wise after. It is what it is

 

[AyeCoff]

Did you roll it . But 100 % dont go on that , no point us being wise after. It is what it is

Yep it was rolled

 

[Cab-over Pete]

It looks a bit tender, plus the temperature is set to plummet at the weekend. Tiny plants with a headache won’t like a few cold nights.

As much as I like to push on, if it was my job I think I might sheet the lime and leave it for a while.

Your contractor might not thank me for saying that though!!

All that said, if the pH was really low, make sure you don’t miss the chance to improve it for good establishment. If it stays dry and the lime just sits on the top it won’t do any good there.

 

[AyeCoff]

It looks a bit tender, plus the temperature is set to plummet at the weekend. Tiny plants with a headache won’t like a few cold nights.

As much as I like to push on, if it was my job I think I might sheet the lime and leave it for a while.

Your contractor might not thank me for saying that though!!

All that said, if the pH was really low, make sure you don’t miss the chance to improve it for good establishment. If it stays dry and the lime just sits on the top it won’t do any good there.

pH was 6.0 so I’m also thinking that the gain from the lime might be less than the potential damage done running over the grass this weekend while it’s so new

 

[Derrick Hughes]

pH was 6.0 so I’m also thinking that the gain from the lime might be less than the potential damage done running over the grass this weekend while it’s so new

Do u have any other fields that need lime more . At 6 it's taking no harm at all

 

[AyeCoff]

Do u have any other fields that need lime more . At 6 it's taking no harm at all

yes I was thinking of doing the ground immediately next to it it with the leftover from the reseed anyway, have enough ground to spread the lime I’ve got

 

[Derrick Hughes]

yes I was thinking of doing the ground immediately next to it it with the leftover from the reseed anyway, have enough ground to spread the lime I’ve got

That's your answer then . Personally at 6 I would leave it a year and perhaps test it again

 

[milkloss]

Personally I'd wait a while and get it on the reseed. It'll help make the most of nutrients you put on the ley and help the new grasses persist for longer.

 

[deleted user 837354]

If I leave it, how well does lime store outdoors? Would the rain affect it?

Stores fine. A bit of rain is ok, a winters worth is not ideal.

 

[NI farmer]

I have a field pH 5.7
Going to reseed next year because need to sort out a few drainage
Would it be wise to put some lime on now to bring up pH or would that be wasted when ploughing next year
Thanks for any replys

 

[AyeCoff]

Thanks for all the advice everyone, looking at it again today in the morning it is coming through quite well in parts so don’t want to run over it when it’s going good. Will spread on the other fields just now and look to lime the reseed when it’s more established ?

 

[milkloss]

I have a field pH 5.7
Going to reseed next year because need to sort out a few drainage
Would it be wise to put some lime on now to bring up pH or would that be wasted when ploughing next year
Thanks for any replys

I would get it on after ploughing. It helps to neutralise the acids from spraying the old ley off and gets the seeds in a nice ph near the surface.

never bought into this 'plough it through the profile' thing...... its only becasue they don't want to spread over rough ground!

 

[deleted user 837354]

I have a field pH 5.7
Going to reseed next year because need to sort out a few drainage
Would it be wise to put some lime on now to bring up pH or would that be wasted when ploughing next year
Thanks for any replys

Don't apply lime only to plough it under. Lime is best put on after ploughing. pH 5.7 wants 2 tonne/acre put on.