When to sow grass seed?

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karenjj

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Hi, as title really, when can I re-seed my small paddocks? They have turned to mud over winter :-( I read I have to keep the ponies off them for 4-6 months after re-seeding? Also, can I do it myself by just sprinkling seed (they are 1/2 acre big each) or do I have to ask a farmer to do it for me only I'd have to pull down a few fences for that I think! Thanks
 
Some people say September/October is the best time for grass seed but personaly i dont think it matters (not over winter tho) april-may time always a good time, do alot end of march throw till may on re-seeds.
Depends how accurately you want the grass? By hand is fine as 1/2 acre isnt much, but if you knew someone who could do it they could get it on more evenly all over.
 
i've got about half an acre that could do with re-seeding as well. can i literally just throw the seeds on? is it best to have wet or dry weather? i know nothing about grassland management. how much do grass seeds cost?
 
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i've got about half an acre that could do with re-seeding as well. can i literally just throw the seeds on? is it best to have wet or dry weather? i know nothing about grassland management. how much do grass seeds cost?

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Depends on what the state the ground is in when you come to seed it, i must admit i never just spread grass down, always go over with the grass harrow, this opens the soil up so you get more seed/soil contact and then normaly harrow after or roll, you dont want it to be wet but if you could do it so you get a spell of rain after its been done then always works nicely to give it a bit of a water.
Have a look on here http://www.thegrassseedstore.co.uk/ give you some sort of idea on grass types/prices.
 
I reseeded a small paddock last year by hand, not as much as 1/2 acre though. I bought a bag of paddock seed from my local farm shop about £35 i think but i didn't need it all.. I sowed it in April and by the end of the summer i allowed them to pick at it a little bit. They have been on it sometimes over this winter when the snow was here and i fed them their haylage in that paddock. It seems to be holding up ok.
 
actually thinking about it mine is prob smaller than half an acrea - it's just the bit by the gate where they stand in winter, but it's gradually spreading out over the field esp after feeding a lot of hay this winter. Cant harrow or roll as the only entrance into the field is a narrow gate. i'd have to take fences down to get machinery in and cant see YO letting me do that!
 
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