[morri2]

After this bad winter the grass around here (North Wales) is abysmal!  I have 10 acres of rubbish at the moment - just about greening up in the best places but mostly yellow and dead.  Most of the land around here which has been grazed over winter is the same - everything is really behind.  Anyway - get to the point - this land I rent has had nothing done to it for some time although it is very undergrazed as I never have anymore than about 20 adult sheep at a time.  It is around 700 ft high.   I was thinking of giving it some treatment.  It is very mossy on the higher, non south facing parts, and there's lots of dead grass.  Would a good chain harrow and a dose of some fertilizer help?  I can't muck spread because the access to the fields is very narrow and tractor and muck-spreader can't fit, although a tractor with a smaller trailer is ok.  Any suggestions as to what I could use - was thinking lime/nitrogen something like that.  Never done this before so completely green (excuse the pun!!)

[Daisys Mum]

A good chain harrow would make a great difference, we have just done ours and that is all it needs this year, fertilized last year, just used what

the local farmers were buying. Sorry can't remember what it was but your local agricultural supplier should be able to recomend.

[Rosemary]

You must check the pH of the soil. Grass needs a pH of about 6 to grow well; if the soil is acidic, which sounds likely, you will need to lime it to increase the pH.

There is no point in adding nitrogen until the soil is warm; plants can't use it otherwise and it leaches into watercourses and causes environmental problems.

It woudl be good to increase the clover in the sward but I'm not sure how well it grows at 700ft. Clover will increase the soil nitrogen in an envoronmentally friendly way.

Speak to you local agricultural college or your local Defra office; they will almost certainly have agricultural advisers who will be able to help. Alternatively, try the Soil Association.

[laurad]

Sounds ike you need lime, but as has been said, you need  a soil sample to be sure. If you do need lime, do that first, then when it's had a chance to take effect, apply some fertilizer. The nutrient levels in fertilizer vary depending on what you want it for. Fertiliser intended for hay production causes fast, rich growth. That for grazing is more sow-release in effect. Off-hand I can't remember what the propotions are, but the supplier will explain. If you spread the stuff intended for hay production, your sheep will get a severe dose of the trots! This would happen to a lesser extent even with untreated rich spring grass, but they will be fine. You only need to lime about every 5 years usually,  but fertilising can be every year if you want - not compulsory!

[morri2]

Thanks for the advice - lime is well used around here - has been historically for  hundreds of years but these days it usually mixed with other things. I'll get it chain harrowed next week and send a soil sample off, I think - grass is improving a bit as we've had some rain now, but still very slow to come through. 

[hexhammeasure]

if you do decide to lime and can afford it try and get the seaweed dressing it also has other minerals that will help your sheep bloom, unfortunately I can't remember the name as my boss won't spend the extra nowadays.

[Padge]

we've just harrowed our big field and the mild weather followed by rain has made a world of difference

[VSS]

We're in North Wales too and have no grass either. Some warmth and some rain would be a good place to start. No point putting down fertiliser until it is warmer and there is some dampness about. No real rain for over a month!