Harrowing drying out poached areas?

[canteron]

Does this work. I have only ever harrowed dry ground for poo spreading, but occured to me this might just even it out. The poached areas are now 'tacky' rather than wet.

I have a large chain harrow.

On the off chance that anyone has any experience - it would be great to get my yard looking neat again!

 

[crellow4]

The poached areas generally benefit from rolling first. You would then need to keep them horse free for a while!

 

[canteron]

Thanks, that would make sense.

 

[Hairy Old Cob]

And Dry enough to get on without doing further damage with tractor wheels rutting and compacting the ground.

 

[horserugsnot4u]

I would say it is too early in the year and probably still too wet, bearing in mind you will have to drive a vehicle around, which will damage the ground. A bit more rain and it will have to be done again or are you intending to leave it for a couple of months to recover?

 

[Honey08]

And Dry enough to get on without doing further damage with tractor wheels rutting and compacting the ground.

This, the tractor will probably make things worse rather than better. Unless you could do it with a light quad. We usually harrow then roll.

 

[canteron]

This, the tractor will probably make things worse rather than better. Unless you could do it with a light quad. We usually harrow then roll.

Thanks everyone,really helpful. I may give it a try, but use the quad not the tractor and see how we get on!

 

[L&M]

Rolling may be more beneficial than harrowing atm.

At the beginning of the last freeze I rolled a couple of poached areas and walkways and it worked well to prevent them turning into frozen ruts. However I did use a quad, and the ground was semi-frozen/dry.

I would not harrow until spring just in case you do more damage than good - my fields have dried out nicely, but can't see any point in disturbing the soil structure at the moment when no doubt we will have more wet spells.

Can you tread in the poached areas by foot? We do this on a regular basis and it makes a huge difference.