Seed Bed Preparation
To get the best from your new grass seed it is well worth spending time taking soil samples to verify the pH and nutrient levels; this is a service Dugdale Nutrition ruminant sales specialists offer to customers. Any problems that are highlighted should be addressed as early as possible to create the optimum growing conditions for the newly sown grass. Ideally, a pH of 6.5 for mineral soils and around 5.6 for organic soils should allow optimum nutrient availability.
Traditionally, grass seedbeds have been fine, firm, level and well considered. If they are too soft, the seed can go in too deep; too hard and seeds such as Ryegrass (which likes to be buried) will struggle. The optimum depth is 0.5 to 1cm, with Clovers and Timothy preferring to be surface sown.
Over Seeding
Over seeding is a way of improving damaged, tired pasture, or patching recent sowings that haven’t taken properly. It is relatively cheap, quick and lower risk than ploughing, whilst retaining the existing grass. The best results come from sowing Tetraploid Ryegrasses that are vigorous enough to get a good footing, but White Clovers also give good results if the soil is warm, ideally 7 degrees Celsius, and moist at sowing.
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Over seeding is best avoided during May/June due to the competition from the existing sward. A light tilth, created by chain harrows or a comb harrow, is necessary for the seed to either be broadcast or shallow drilled by a grass drill.
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Rolling follows with either type of roller, or alternatively sheep can be used to ‘tread’ the seed in. Once the seedlings start to grow the sheep should be removed to avoid damaging them and the pasture rested. If the pasture is dry, cattle can be substituted as they don’t graze as short. Fertiliser applications should be avoided until the new crop is well established.