has anyone used suregrow fertiliser or grass seed ?

[meesha]

Hi all, one paddock is in need of TLC, it has been overrun by clover, I have used weedkiller but think it needs some fertiliser and possibly grass seed as it has been trashed by horses in past so is suffering (now have more land and winter turnout area so shouldn't happen again)

Has anyone used sure grow? I have bought fertiliser and grass seed from mole valley before but not sure grow.

Any experiences welcome!

Thanks

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

The soil should not need much fertiliser, esp as the clover will have enriched the soil already.
Seed is expensive so it is important that the land is prepared to get good germination: you don't really want/need to disc or plough it. If a farmer will harrow it using chain type harrow this might do the job, difficult to say without seeing it. This is a good time of the year, provided the seed in not subject to drought ........ so you want to sow the seed before rain
Rolling the field will level it if it is already poached with hoof marks, it depends on the farmer's equipment.
I can t find detail of the grass seed analysis, but have to assume it good for horses.
The fertiliser seems to only have Nitrogen and Phosphorus, which is unusual, most have NP and K

 

[lelly]

I have used suregrow and the good thing about it is it seems to bring the grass on steadily. Its made for horse grazing as they can't cope with sudden flushes in the grass like you would get if you used the stuff dairy farmers use.

 

[Mike007]

Yes ,oddly enough ,no Potassium .Yet this is one of the more common deficiencies(in grass).

 

[meesha]

Ground is level and clay, has been overgrazed for few years and although ankle deep and green it is mostly clover (which burns my mares nose, hence they are not on it) and i was thinking the grass looked a bit so sorry for itself. Doesn't need rolling but I have a harrow. It has been rested and topped regularly (and now weedkillered) but clover is running riot although looking droopy from the weedkiller (last year was creeping buttercup)

Is the consensus that I don't need fertiliser or grass seed just rest it, harrow and after few weeks maybe top it?

 

[Thistle]

clover is a natural nitrogen (main ingredient in fertiliser) fixer. It can use the nitrogen in the air and transfer it to the soil via it's roots. Wait until the clover has died off and then harrow it to remove any dead vegetation and tufty thatched grass. Overseed any bare patches by throwing handfuls of grass seed. This treatment may be enough to restart the grass. If not then fertilise before the end of the growth season.

 

[meesha]

Thanks thistle, no bare patches but assume grass may be a little thin once clover has died back. Will harrow as suggested and seed.

 

[Mike007]

probably the single biggest improvement would be to have the field limed rather than fertiliser.

 

[meesha]

Will pH test the soil to see if lime would help.

 

[PeterNatt]

Get the soil tested. Then apply the appropriate lime if any is required. Prepare the soil and drill the grass seed in.