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  Discussion on Do I need to re seed?
Author Message
New Member:
Lindasue

Posted on Thursday, Oct 10, 2002 - 3:34 pm:

I am in the process of spreading seasoned manure on part of my pasture. My pastures got overused this year and I am hoping to bring them back (at least a little) by spreading the manure and was wondering if I need to reseed as well. My soil is very rich in ROCKS and little else. Also I have spread manure before and it seems that the weeds seem to take before anything else.
Member:
Lala

Posted on Friday, Oct 11, 2002 - 5:41 am:

Talk to your local extension/farm services agency, under US govt in phone book under USDA, to get soil test bags/forms -- also available from private labs. Take soil tests before you spread manure. You may also want to test your manure to find out what its nutritional value is. Depending on where you are you might want to frost seed, ie seed when ground is still hard in spring before thaw, or sow a crop now. Mowing helps with weed suppression. Some, not I, would use herbicide and now is good time when root systems taking things in for winter. With soil test you can determine what is best way to fertilize including organic) and lime and also get advice on what seed mixes will give you optimal results. Watch out tho', most research geared to cows and you need to watch out/double check/ask about forage that is not compatible with horses such as certain clovers or too high a percentage of clover or certain fescues for pregnant mares. Lots on info on pasture renovation and planting on web, use search words such as forage, grazing.

And by the way, know what you mean about rocks, always seem to have been one of my main crops, if only they were a cash one we could really keep our horses in luxury!

Good luck and welcome to HA, it's a wonderful site and web community.

Fiona
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Oct 11, 2002 - 6:10 am:

As Fiona indicates, specific recommendations are best given by local experts who can take your specific location's soil and environment into account. Overseeding can help a pasture but better is to drill the seed into the ground rather than just spreading it on the service.
DrO
Member:
Lindasue

Posted on Friday, Oct 11, 2002 - 8:13 pm:

Thank you both for your posts. I have contacted our local conservation district about moss before and was told that I should completely renovate the pasture. I was hoping for something less time consuming and expensive I guess. OH well.
I will do some searches using those suggested words and see what comes up.
I am thoroughly enjoying the site. I have already learned a lot! Thank you DrO!

Linda
Member:
Mwebster

Posted on Friday, Oct 11, 2002 - 10:23 pm:

If you've got moss, you should check the Ph of your soil (a major contributor to moss is acid soil). If so, lime will make a huge difference. See https://www.cce.cornell.edu/suffolk/grownet/lawnpest/lawnmoss.html for more info on about conditions that favor moss over grass.

If Ph is your biggest problem (you have otherwise got good soil, good drainage, sunlight, etc.), then correcting the Ph and slit seeding (as DrO recommended) may give you a big enough improvement that you can avoid a full renovation.

Melissa
Member:
Lindasue

Posted on Saturday, Oct 12, 2002 - 8:45 am:

Thank you Melissa,
I will get my soil tested before I go any further.
I really appreciate all the input. Thanks abunch guys!
Linda
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