How to Re-Seed a Paddock?

[suej102]

Can anyone give me some general advice re. how to go about re-seeding my patchy paddock?

I have bought a good quality paddock mix seed and have fenced off the area that needs re-seeding. Is it simply a case of spreading the seed (by hand?) over the ground and waiting?! It is due to rain heavily on Saturday so I was going to seed it tonight, but my Husband thinks it might be better to seed onto wet ground. Basically - we haven't got a clue!!!!

So, do we scatter the seed on wet or dry soil? Is hand application OK (not sure what else we could do however!). Thanks so much for any advice

 

[Sarah2207]

We usually seed onto damp ground and when it is forecast to rain (have actually been known to run out when it starts to rain to do it!!) But in the past have seeded onto dry ground when rain is forecast and it has worked well (so long as not too many pheasants etc around who like to steal it!!!)

I fill a bucket with seed, and then use a feed scoop or similar to distribute it around the field, usually going up and down in lines until a fairly even covering, or just do the bald/muddy patches depending on grass coverage! If ground is particularly poached after the winter like this year, have put some fertilizer down too to help it!

This is just what works for us without adding too much expense on rolling etc!

 

[martlin]

It depends how hard the rain is, I'm afraid - ideally, you want to spread the seed (hand application is fine) on dryish ground and let soft rain bed it in, but if it's a wash out, you might be in trouble...
If you do it after it's been raining, you should roll it in.
I presume it's just overseeding patchy grazing grazing? If it's starting from scratch, you're best of paying and agri contractor to drill the grass.