The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Land Management => Topic started by: SmallWelshBarn on February 01, 2015, 08:37:32 pm
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All our fields have a high moss covering its edging out the grass. I have done a home test on the soil is clay and the PH is showing neutral ;-( Which is a surprise as we are surrounded by forest on three sides one of which is pine.
Any suggestions on a cost effective solution to get the grass thicker and curb the moss.
The fields are grazed with horses but managed well so they do not become poached.
I have a small micro tractor with a sprayer attachment and have a harrow.....
Thoughts.
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Hi, I did home tests on the soil here and they showed neutral. I reseeded and on ol'boy advice dropped a lot of lime on it and then a bit more and the growth is phenominal, so question the home test accuracy
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You've given one possible reason to the moss in your post
...as we are surrounded by forest on three sides...
I admit it will depend what sides of the field the trees are growing on but the trees will be reducing the amount of light that comes into the field (to a certain extent). The field may not get as much sun and through wind in order to dry out the ground and so as a result will leave a damper than normal area leading to moss growth.
Best solution would be an application of ferrous sulphate (moss killer).
You could try and improve the drainage/air levels in the field - aerate the sward to let air into the sward and surface of the field to help it dry. You could then harrow the field before applying more grass seed and rolling.
Moving on after the grass has re-established - I'd harrow the field every year and aerate it to.
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totally agree with carse- moss loves conditons that grass doesn't- poorly drained, acidic, shady and hungry (infertile soil) take your pick but simply spraying wont be enough alone without correcting any or all of the above
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The other thing that moss likes is close-cropping. People who keep their lawns very short get more moss than those who let a sward grow a bit then trim it back but don't scalp it - and horses crop grass very close. ;)
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The fields get plenty of light.click to 0.59 and you will see the paddocks.
At 1.45 to the right the area was covered in brambles I spent the summer clearing reclaimed 2 acres thats going to be seeded this year.
The paddocks in question get lots of light and drain well as we are on a hill. I am intending to harrow to try and help control the moss.
Thanks for the input.
http://youtu.be/c3ekbBN1T8I (http://youtu.be/c3ekbBN1T8I)
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Harrowing in the spring will definitely help. We've got two mossy paddocks and started harrowing them regularly a couple of years ago. The difference was amazing, our spring tine harrow pulled up a lot of moss and the grass quickly established itself in its place.
It has to be annual though, I didn't do it anywhere near as much last year and the moss is re-appearing in places.
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Harrow and roll after use - and by that I mean if you have animals in there for more than 30% of the year - your doing it wrong.
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Let the ground rest - it will treat you well for it.
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Easier said than done though :)
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I read something recently that said that heavy grazing by rabbits encourages moss.
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Very short cropping encourages moss, so I guess that's why rabbits encourage it ;)
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if you have animals in there for more than 30% of the year - your doing it wrong.
I am doing it soooo wrong! :garden: