13 March 2015, 15:54
Vredo's Advice and Tips for Overseeding Patchy Grassland, Especially Damage Caused by Mice
The major damage caused by mice in the North of the Netherlands can also offer new opportunities. Because fields have become patchy or even become completely bald compared to other springtimes it is the ideal opportunity to bring new genetics into the plots. The existing sod after all this offers less competition to the new plants as under normal conditions. For organic farming this offers a good opportunity to problem once sow a colorful and rich fragrance mixture. Below are some Hints and Tips for successful overseeding.
Fertilize
When overseeding and new seeding also includes thinking ahead about the fertilizer dosage. A modest dose, for example, of 15 m3 creates better growing conditions than a much larger dose. Make sure the ground surface is free of fresh slurry by actually injecting the slurry (the Vredo Slurry Injector is naturally the ideal solution). A seedling's white roots are less prone to being damaged by the slurry, whereas, the green part of the seedling can be easily dried out by corrossive slurry. One can even first overseed and within 2 days apply a small dose of slurry. This is because the manure will have been already absorped into the soil before the seedlings appear (after about 7-18 days). Note: for red and white clover the slurry dose should be even smaller.
Rolling
Where the mice have aerated the ground by their activity they have, unfortunately, also loosened it's structure. There are three reasons why it is therefore a good idea to roll the ground, for example with a tyre-roller, before overseeding. Firstly, the ground will be flattened and compacted so that the seed can be overseede to a perfect depth (typically 2.5 times the length of the seed) and, secondly, to close down the mouse's tunnels and so restore and maintain the ground's capillary action for the supply of water and nutrients. And thirdly, it is important to keep the overseeder at work, and to work efficiently: Loose soil can have the tendancy to clog up the gap between the double-discs; also choosing for wide smooth tyres without a sharp profile can have a very good effect.
Weather and Temperature
There is increasingly seed available on the market capable of germinating at lower temperatures (from 6 degrees). However, seedlings and frost do not go well together. Certainly on the vast Frisian clay soils it is nevertheless advisable to wait until the soil temperature remains above 8-9 degrees before overseeding. So have patience! Also, decent rainfall in the first week after overseeding is desirable. If a dry period of weather is predicted then overseeding at a slightly deeper level is also an option. The fertilizer dosage as described above may be a solution in delivering moisture (especially from the slurry pit where surface run-off water dilutes the slurry). Even light grass harrows or possibly slightly re-rolling are good options.
Overseeding, seeding depth and closing the seed slot
Typically, the seeding depth of 2.5 times the cross-sectional length of the seed, the guide for adjustment of the machine. Perennial ryegrass is for example 4 mm long, the ideal seeding depth is then about 10 mm. For this, the Vredo double discs should cut about 1.5 to 2 cm deep. On the whole, however, where bare fields offer little competition to the new seedling, they also offer less protection. In that case, somewhat deeper overseeding is not a problem. If a plot is completely bare it is recommended to prefer to sow two times by 20 kg compared to 40 kg one time (eg, crosswise or at a slight angle). The distribution of the seed is thereby improved which can reduce weed pressure. On sand and peat soils the seed slot is quickly covered with loose soil. On clay soils the soil rebound is much slower. Naturally, the smooth / solid roller will not completely close the seed slots (the heavier optional Packer Ring Roller does this better). Experience teaches that patience is a virtue here. Often after an hour one can no longer see the seed because the ground has sufficiently sprung back into place, especially if the plot has been overseeded in 2 passes as explained above. In any case, the seed will be properly wedged in the ground once it has received a decent shower of rain.
To summarize:
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Low fertilizer dosage
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Rolling
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Adequate temperature
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Overseeding at proper depth using with a tractor with smooth tyres
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If necessary, low fertilizer dosage / re-rolling
Every situation is different and may demand different advice, for more tips contact your dealer / contractor or evenVredo.