Reseeding grassland

[Nick14]

Hi,

I have 7.5 acres in Leicester (midlands) and want to completely renew the grassland as it hasn’t been cared for in 25 years plus. Mostly compacted grassland, grows buttercups and thistles and doesn’t drain well. Had pigs on most recently but moved them off as the grass is taller than them. I’m getting a plough and power Harrow to turn it all over and set a seed bed. My question is how am I best to spread the seed?I have a small (200kg) disc spreader or can get hold of a larger (1500kg) Khune disc spreader. Is it worth liming and spreading a seed/fert mix? Was thinking perennial ryegrass to graze and cut for hay?

thanks all

 

[teslacoils]

If it needs lime, then lime it. Is it underdrained?

 

[Nick14]

As far as I know (inherited land from my parents who never did anything with it) nothing under the ground to drain so I did think about getting a mole plough but if I’m going to turn it all over that should help drain the top layer? Ditches need sorting too but if I plough from high to low towards the ditches?

 

[teslacoils]

Moling without drains a bit of a waste of time I think. Ditches and hedges first. Check pH.

 

[DaveGrohl]

For God's sake don't plough it whatever you do!!!






Soz, couldn't resist.

 

[Nick14]

So plough or don’t? Ditches flow when very wet.

 

[Triangle]

You never know it might of been drained by prisonor of wars ect yonks ago worth carefully doing ditches and see of you find any clay drainage pipes dont know what part of country side you are tho only know what in my locality

 

[teslacoils]

First check if it needs lime. If it needs a lot of lime, you may want to put half on, mix it in, then the other half. Then if your ditches need clearing I'd get them all dig out and the spoil levelled. I don't plough for grass as my land turns to pudding.

 

[teslacoils]

Nothing stamps your mark on a field like clearing ditches. Or coppacing hedges.

 

[Nick14]

Hedges I’m sorting, ditches I can dig with a borrow machine. The lowest ditch has a concrete pipe from the neighbours into ours and from ours to another neighbours so I will clear that.
Soil check, lime mix in and then we shall see. Thanks all

 

[teslacoils]

There's no real rush to get the grass planted.

As mentioned, it may be worth getting another helper when your ditching to keep an eye out for drains.

I'm presuming you are aware of any restrictions re hedge cutting? It's recommended not to cut between march and August, and if you receive the bps payment then you are not allowed to cut during this time. You can cut from 1st August with a derrogation if planting grass. Last date for coppicing was April 1st iirc.

 

[Nick14]

Yes I cut hedges as a contractor so nothing will happen before 1st September
Il get a spotter
Grass is best sown in September?

 

[teslacoils]

Grass is best sown when it is warm and wet. I like mine planted before 3rd week of September. But that's the latest.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Soil test first.

Top the lot down and let it grow back, spray with Kyleo (glypshosate) to kill everything. Pay someone to rotovate it or plough and cultivate it. Then get someone to seed the grass in properly, don't try to broadcast it with a spinner.

I personally would not try to sow grass now until August as the summer months are often too dry and hot for it to take well.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Not Pretty but coming , sown on 15th November, Ryegrass

 

[Nick14]

Lovely!
I’m going to overseed where my pigs have rotorvated and grazon the thistles in may