[FiB]

Thoughts turning to spring and reseeding my piggy field.  We can get a neighbour to partially harrow the field to break up the big clods and grade it a bit, but as well as being pretty steep it has lots of rocky outcrops so rollering after sowing is not an option.  Would you run over it with a chain harrow again perhaps, do nothing and hope, get the sheep in to trample the seeds in abit... The really churned area is less than an acre so we could do some manual raking/stomping around - but that is a last resort!!!  Any ideas/recommendations/experiences. 

Also any recommendations for particular seed mix.  Aim for this field is 'permanant pasture' - minimal intervention - it will be sheep grazed whilst other fields are closed for hay.  Thanks Fi

[mab]

Not an expert but I would try and rake it in  (or chainharrow if that does the same job), just so that some of the seed is covered and away from the birds.

I hand seeded my acre a few years ago and raked it in - seemed to go OK.

I just used equine paddock mix from the local supplier though sheep were what I was going to put on it.

mab

[Small Farmer]

Sheep, if theres enough of them, are great at trampling in seed.

[FiB]

Thansk both - will report back!

[egglady]

But do the sheep not eat the seeds? Or am I being thick?

[Small Farmer]

Reasonable question but grass seed is very fine and it seems they don't.

[robert waddell]

the seed has to be harrowed in then rolled the rolling seals in moisture for the seed to germinate if left open the soil drys out and the wild birds get the seeds
HISTORY LESSON     the Romans when they made roads sealed the road with herding sheep up and down the road   and today they have a sheep's foot roller for compacting soil   

[egglady]

So if I chuck my sheep in where the pigs were, will they flatten it so I can sow grass seed? And then will they flatten it in once I've sown it?

[robert waddell]

try it and see 

[FiB]

Thats just what I shall be doing egglady - we'll have to compare notes.  Great to have all your thoughts and also the benediction of Robert and the Romans!

[colliewoman]

I'm sure my friend once 'topped up' the grass and clover in her paddock by FEEDING the seed mixed into her sheep's feed over several weeks. The seed is thus 'sown' complete in it's own fertilizer packet, and trampled in. She certainly always had the thickest sward in her paddocks that I have ever seen. I'm going to try it.
Or at least I might get my sheep to try it

[robert waddell]

before you all rush out to try this method  two things to check
first  is the seeds treated with  chemicals
second i have been told that sheep can digest oats without rolling or milling the same would apply to grass seed it would work with pigs 

[Sylvia]

I have bought a seed called MeadowMax and am feeding it to my sheep and pigs. I had the idea to have the fields harrowed after moving from one field to another to spread the seed about a bit. I only have my Landy to use for hitching the harrows to so will see how I get on. I have put the seeds into cold boiled spuds and cold porridge.

[FiB]

Wish I had posted this before the end was nigh for the pigs - feeding them seed sounds perfect.  We went out this weekend armed with fork and hoe and rake to start replacing some of the big divots (is that the word?) and my neighbour came out to take the mick!!!!  He says we should get a contracter in to rotovate (there sems to be a tractor attachnment which is in between harrowing and ploughing).  Sadly we have no money, so he will have to keep laughing!  Sheep go in this Sat and I'll see what effect they have.  We're aiming to seed in April.  Bought a permenant pasture mix from Cotswold seeds - they were so helpful.

[Sylvia]

Pity your neighbour hasn't got more urgent things to do but laugh---- such as harrowing his pasture