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JadeWisc

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I ask mainly you Tia as I know you make hay and we have climates that are pretty much the same.


anyhow....

When is the best time to spread pasture seed?

Is it like gardens when you wait until after the danger of the first frost? So...for example...after mothers day here is the rule of thumb for garden seeds/plants
also...after you have spread the seed how long before the horses can be turned out?

My aunt just planted a 10 acre pasture last summer that had to be completely plowed up first as it was all weed. She has to wait until this year to put the horses out in it and was even told to wait until next year for best results.

now my pasture is already established grass I am only going to spread some seed. How long before I can put them out this spring to be on the safe side and allow some growth?


whew! thanks to all who have followed my rambling so far!
 
Doh! Just read this that you posted below

"Re-seeding works well, however I never do this on an established field until Autumn once the horses are moved out."


So does this mean I am all shot for seeding this spring? would it do any good at all?



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Do you still have snow on the ground? If so this is THE best time to seed! It's called Frost Seeding and this is when we seed all of our hay fields. This is obviously if you are seed-spreading. If you are going have the seed drilled then you need to wait until the ground has defrosted....so around May/June time.

For yours, again if you are spreading the seed then providing you still have snow then you should be doing it now. It should have a root system by July (depending on when your ground melts of course - reckon on 6-8 weeks for growth) and although if you were seeding a non-established field then you would be looking at not grazing for about a year, however you already have the root-network in place from the established pasture so you wouldn't have to keep them out of there for too long as the new grass will be protected to some degree by the older grasses.

Just out of interest what grasses are you planning on growing? Or are you using a mix?

We have no snow left - it has all gone - everything is browny/green. LOTS of new grass coming through here.
 
No no no, LOL!! That's when we seeded in England - not out here!
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OH glad you said I could do it now! I was worried for a moment (see post above)

The ground is about still half snow over there. We woke up to frozen ground today, but by next Wed it will be quite warm again.

I am not sure of the seed I am using, but I imagine I will be using a Pasture mix ideal for horses from the local feed store.

If you have anything to reccomend I am all ears.

also, how much seed for 4 acres approx?

thanks and sorry for all the questions!
 
Hmm so a lot of the ground is brown and not snow covered? Is there any standing water in your fields where you are going to seed? And if so, can you see whether it is going down into the ground without it running off your property?
 
It is low ground and alot of the melted snow is standing water.
If you are asking me this to find out if the seed could be at risk for run off My thought is no.

If that is not what you are talking about I am all ears
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Yep that is exactly what I am talking about
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Okay so you should be fine to seed over the water. You need the water to drive the seeds into the ground - don't worry if it freezes over, that's fine. I just didn't want you seeding in an area where other people may end up benefitting from your grass seed LOL!

I am sure you will be able to pick up a good pre-mix at your local merchant. We have all our seed mixed specially for us as we are seeding a lot of land and we're specifically growing our grass for hay and only hay. Ask to speak to the seed expert at the store - he should be able to guide to to choosing a mix that is good for you climate.

To give you a bit of an idea; our pasture fields are seeded with our own mix too. We use Kentucky Bluegrass, Brome, Timothy, always a small amount of red clover (but do be careful which one you use if you choose to seed clover) and Bermuda grass. You are looking for a nice ground cover to try to discourage weeds and you also might like to give them some tall grasses to give them something to pick at.
 
My pleasure.
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Just make sure you are aware of how quickly/slowly your water will be standing for though - is it quick draining once the temperatures go up? The last thing you want is for the seed to germinate in the water...so you are looking to sow and have the water take it into the ground before this happens.
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yikes...not too sure. I suppose we shall find out!

I think it will drain fairly quickly tbh once the ground thaws all the way. It is only standing because it is still mostly ice underneath.

I...think
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That would be my guess to be honest. The seed only needs to go below the ground before it germinates and then you'll be fine.
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Oh no!! LOL!! She'll never get any work done!
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I'm very well thank you.
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Loving this no-snow lark. Was pretty wet on the ground yesterday but thankfully it has pretty much all dried up today.

What's it like where you are?
 
That seems to be the way it's going.
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Her very first thread turned snarky but I pulled out guilt as a motivator for change and now everyone's being extra nice.
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It's mostly really, really wet where I am. And kind of an off brown colour. We're supposed to have snow tomorrow but I think this must be just about the last of it.
 
Ahh she'll be fine
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. EMG is a breeze compared to the ruckus of HHO.
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We aren't forecast snow for the forseeable future....or at least we weren't last time I looked; so I think Spring is here for good.
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Isn't it soo mild - it's just lovely.
 
Ah Jade, Thankyou for putting this up, saves me asking exactly the same questions.

We have one field that just needs re-seeding and another that needs starting from scratch. It was ploughed and then left, rutted, totally useless at the moment.

Thanks Tia.
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btw EMG is very friendly and there are a lot of people very local to me, one just 2 miles down the road, so it's good to be able to ask questions that would make no sense to anyone other than the NA crew on HHO.
 
We're getting snow tonight and tomorrow, oh joy. It's freezing here too - all the melted snow that hasn't drained is now ice! I am in bed......
 
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