Moss control in grass fields

[Loftyrules]

I have a client who has a moss problem in her horse paddocks.

I have suggested liming as it is an acidic soil but at £70/acre (granulated lime) this is over her budget. I have previously sprayed Iron solution on to mossy paddocks but this wasn't as successful as I had hoped.
What other options are there? I have recommended harrowing but know this is not the total solution.
She has approx 7 acres to sort out.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the answer has to be a lorry load of lime and grassland harrow, I would not use pelleted lime but limestone, only problem finding someone to come and spread 15 tons, I would not put on more than 2t/acre

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the answer has to be a lorry load of lime and grassland harrow, I would not use pelleted lime but limestone, only problem finding someone to come and spread 15 tons, I would not put on more than 2t/acre

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the answer has to be a lorry load of lime and grassland harrow, I would not use pelleted lime but limestone, only problem finding someone to come and spread 15 tons, I would not put on more than 2t/acre

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the answer has to be a lorry load of lime and grassland harrow, I would not use pelleted lime but limestone, only problem finding someone to come and spread 15 tons, I would not put on more than 2t/acre

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the answer has to be a lorry load of lime and grassland harrow, I would not use pelleted lime but limestone, only problem finding someone to come and spread 15 tons, I would not put on more than 2t/acre

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the answer has to be a lorry load of lime and grassland harrow, I would not use pelleted lime but limestone, only problem finding someone to come and spread 15 tons, I would not put on more than 2t/acre

 

[davidroberts30]

Hahaha we get it

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I think the answer has to be a lorry load of lime and grassland harrow, I would not use pelleted lime but limestone, only problem finding someone to come and spread 15 tons, I would not put on more than 2t/acre

 

[Loftyrules]

That's the issue, is getting someone to spread on such a small acreage and is why my business exists.

 

[milkloss]

Whilst lime might help and is probably the most important but it won't sort a moss problem out on its own Imo. slitting the ground to remove compaction near the surface and nitrogen worked here on some grazing ground, it was limed but didn't improve. I gather horses feet fall off or something when nitrogen is used though.

 

[Deutzdx3]

Spray it with iron sulphate. Then Harrow or verticut it out. The iron will also help toughen the sword up. Make the moss go black then it becomes brittle.

 

[Loftyrules]

Spray it with iron sulphate. Then Harrow or verticut it out. The iron will also help toughen the sword up. Make the moss go black then it becomes brittle.

That's the plan, problem comes out at the same cost as liming so client isn't too keen to spend that much. I have told them that it is an investment so we will see.

Will also suggest aerating too but again can't see them paying for me to do that.

 

[Deutzdx3]

That's the plan, problem comes out at the same cost as liming so client isn't too keen to spend that much. I have told them that it is an investment so we will see.

Will also suggest aerating too but again can't see them paying for me to do that.

Iron is cheap. Enough to do 10 acres is about £50. Some people are unreal. Horse people. All talk and no walk. They’ll have the cash when it comes to a replacement horse of lorry I bet. [emoji849]

 

[SilliamWhale]

Firstly whats the ph?

Horse paddocks are so often grazed to sh!t and overstocked so the grass has no rest and so moss pops up in bare soil.

 

[Loftyrules]

Iron is cheap. Enough to do 10 acres is about £50. Some people are unreal. Horse people. All talk and no walk. They’ll have the cash when it comes to a replacement horse of lorry I bet. [emoji849]

Where are you sourcing that? I have been quoted £60/acre for the chemical/product.
It's all about valuing grass which not many do.

p.h is 6.2

 

[hendrebc]

Could be pH or sulphur helps as well. Muck is always good as well.
Horses are likely the problem though they graze too low and kill the grass and then the moss that they won't eat gets hold and smothers any grass that tries growing. Happens in overgrazed sheep fields as well.
This horsey person will get the grass growing and then complains that the grass is too good for their horse and it gets laminitis or colic or something. Moss is probably better for them tbh.

 

[Deutzdx3]

Where are you sourcing that? I have been quoted £60/acre for the chemical/product.
It's all about valuing grass which not many do.

p.h is 6.2

I buy mine either from pitchcare, off eBay or nip to your local golf course green keepers and they will sell some more than likely as they buy it by the tonne.

 

[C.J]

What about a couple ton/acre of sea sand ? - bring the pH up a bit and improve the drainage.

 

[Bald Rick]

Scarify it hard with an Einbock or similar
3 passes in different directions should get a lot of moss out
Can set tines to be quite aggressive