I need to overseed a pasture

[BigAl]

I purchased another piece of ranch land and after cleaning up the land , I feel I need to reseed the pasture .ITs very hard to get things to grow as we have a very thin layer of topsoil . I really do not want to plow under what we still have but need a cover to stop erosion.
Got any ideas ???? I am thinkin oats .

 

[Trakternut]

Oats is quick growing, once the ground's warmed up. Rye grass is another good choice. It's annual but grows fast. In fact, the rye grass might work better!

 

[snow dog]

You must think it will not come back naturally. But is introducing something differant the best way to go.

 

[Trakternut]

If it's an old pasture, Al, you might consider finding an old chisel plow and digging it up. Some grasses become so root bound that they cannot grow well. Tearing up the roots can stimulate growth. After you've run through it a couple times in different directions. A drag harrow can be used to smooth down any lumps so it's fairly smooth. Leftover lumps will break themselves down, usually in the first season.

 

[BigAl]

You must think it will not come back naturally. But is introducing something differant the best way to go.

Really bad soil up here Dog . If you disturb the gound it usually does not grow back except for weeds . Usually its that damn thristle

 

[muleman]

Do a soil test and see what the ground needs for pasture mix. Often times lime and a good shot of fertilizer will do wonders. If you do reseed rye mixed with a good pasture seed after discing should give you a quick and long term pasture.

 

[loboloco]

All above are good suggestions. A few more, if it grows okay in your climate, clover, coastal bermuda, or other grasses. A don't think think Fescue would do good that far up in the cold.

 

[Erik]

I vote clover - it'll grow just about anywhere and thanks to its nitrogen fixing properties (root rhizomes) it's known as a soil improver.
perennial rye is another option - or talk to your county extension office about buying a bag of buffalo grass or "native" grass seed. (buffalo doesn't get very tall, but it's roots dig down about 6 feet, so it's also good for improving soils)

 

[snow dog]

I am kinda new to all this pasture stuff, but after you spread the seed. Don't you have to spread some farm fertilizer ( sh*t). Will Big Al be able to do this ?????

 

[Trakternut]

I am kinda new to all this pasture stuff, but after you spread the seed. Don't you have to spread some farm fertilizer ( sh*t). Will Big Al be able to do this ?????

First off, no fertilizer is needed except for a top dressing of nitrogen after the grass is started.

Now, for the second part of your question, Snow Dog. that much (ahem) "fertilizer" is way too much for tender little plants.

 

[JimVT]

I purchased another piece of ranch land and after cleaning up the land , I feel I need to reseed the pasture .ITs very hard to get things to grow as we have a very thin layer of topsoil . I really do not want to plow under what we still have but need a cover to stop erosion.
Got any ideas ???? I am thinkin oats .

That is what I used for a cover crop. You may get some the next year but what ever grass you planted with the oats should be filling out by then.
Jim