When do you fertilise your fields?

[kit279]

I need to fertilise my fields but not sure when to do it.

The horses have been out all winter on 4 acres in the winter paddock and I was planning to fertilise the 5 acres summer paddock next weekend then keep the horses off it for a further 2 weeks. Then I plan to put them on their summer paddock all summer while reseeding, fertilising and resting the winter paddock until October.

The only thing is that I am on sandy soil - will it be OK to fertilise soonish? Or do I need to leave it until the grass is growing to be effective?

 

[indie999]

No would not fertilise at all. Not for horses. Farmers like to fertilise and horses dont need it. Family horse ended up seriously ill after field being fertilised as grass became too rich etc etc. Save your money. Just rest the field.

 

[Merlin11]

If you really need to fertilise you can get slow growth stuff which is suitable for horses - your local agricultural store should be able to help.

 

[kit279]

Our fields definitely need it - I've had the soil analysed and it needs the nitrogen and potassium replacing and I've got the appropriate fertiliser. Ours are TBs too so need slightly better grazing to do well so I'm going to do it, just need to do it at the right time.

It's not really a question of what to use, more when do I apply the stuff?

 

[Merlin11]

Think it would be most effective when the grass is growing well - might be worth waiting a few weeks.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i would wait a couple of weeks til temperatures are consistantly above 6 degrees. although spring seems to be springing it is still going colder overnight, and fert is too expensive to put on and not gain the max benefits.