Subsoiling grassland... timing?

[steveR]

I am starting to see real compaction problems on a number of my permanent grassland fields, headlands and the odd area. Not a huge area and so not much appeal to the local Contractor and I cannot find a machine to hire. I use an aerator most years on as much of the land as I can, but this is not doing the trick in these areas.

I am looking at getting hold of a simple single furrow subsoiler/flatlift machine c/w cutting disc and a roller at the back, cart it behind my grassland compact on turfs.

I've not done grassland subsoiling before and wondering how well it would work in the next week or so if it remains dry, or leave it until next Spring? Or even both?? Obviously, dry subsoil is optimum for cracking, but difficult to get at with grazing and conservation going on...

Soils are clay to heavy clay.

 

[M-J-G]

When grass in not growing a lot, otherwise you get more root tearing, and not in very dry times, in order to avoid moisture loss

But most definitely not in wet conditions, as you will get a smear effect, and you are only creating sealed slits through the ground, without any cracking, as you have already said.

A dry autumn is best IMO.

 

[Kevtherev]

Best done in a dry autumn when the clay is dry for maximum shattering effect.
If it’s damp there is too much smearing and surface damage.
Mole drainage is a good option on clay soils.

 

[steveR]

IKWYM about mole drainage as I use it on arable areas where we have drains with plenty of pea gravel on them! The pasture is not as well endowed but I intend trying a mole on a couple of the locations as well.

 

[steveR]

When grass in not growing a lot, otherwise you get more root tearing, and not in very dry times, in order to avoid moisture loss

A dry autumn is best IMO.

Interesting. Your thoughts bear out mine on damage to the grass root structure. That was my fear with spring/summer work, unless you can guarantee a wet week aftrewards !

 

[Kevtherev]

Try moling some of your grassland as long as conditions are right and you have a disc on the mole.

 

[steveR]

Try moling some of your grassland as long as conditions are right and you have a disc on the mole.

I'll see if I can do a deal on a machine tomorrow or Tuesday

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

We have used a Swardlifter and it has been very successful, however conditions have to be perfect.

It is ideal at the moment with dry subsoil (clay) and moist on top to get maximum traction. You also need plenty of weight on the machine and tractor with plenty of horsepower to prevent wheelslip.
It is normally an Autumn job for conditions to be right, although have done in May which works well when the ground really dries out afterwards.

 

[steveR]

Cheers Frank. Fingers cross that Ophelia misses us over the next 48hrs
then....

 

[onthehoof]

I wouldn’t risk doing it in spring. If we get drought conditions afterwards half the grass will die.

 

[steveR]

I wouldn’t risk doing it in spring. If we get drought conditions afterwards half the grass will die.

Noted!!