The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: WalaMala on November 16, 2022, 07:50:30 pm
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Hi all
We’ve just purchased a property with a 3 acre paddock. The paddock is pretty overgrown. What’s the right thing to do….cut it back before winter or leave it? Thanks
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What's the ground like? If that's sodden now, probably best to leave it and deal with it in the spring, when the ground is more firm.
Is it fenced? Grazing with cattle is always good for getting on top of longer grass, provided the ground can take their feet.
If you mow it, can you get it baled and wrapped, and use or sell it? Otherwise would suggest you not mow it but, if you do anything now, top it with a flail topper, which leaves a mulch that will put nutrients back into the ground. Mowing and leaving cut long grass to rot will give you more problems than leaving it as is.
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Ground likely very wet now, little advantage in cutting it at the moment and the wildlife will appreciate you holding off over winter: the grass will provide lots of cover for small animals and there may be plenty of seed heads (such as knapweed) that are so important for birds.