Dead Grass

razor8

I have alot of dead grass in a few permanent pasture fields that haven't been topped yet. it just seems grass is loose at the root. its not in a few spots, its all over the field

is there any obvious reason for this? hasn't been reseeded in years

Muckit

Poor quality grasses have smaller root system. Also if ground was compacted, roots can't grow down. Grass not able to get water/nutrients so dies.

Mole plough and do a rain dance! :pac:

delaval

razor8 wrote: »

I have alot of dead grass in a few permanent pasture fields that haven't been topped yet. it just seems grass is loose at the root. its not in a few spots, its all over the field

is there any obvious reason for this? hasn't been reseeded in years

Weed grasses no rye in sward. Soil sample and reseed. Take care of issues such as compaction while you are at it

razor8

i have limited topsoil, max 4 inches and ground has sheep on it for long number of years. so i would agree muckit, what you say make sense

delaval, field was sampled last year and was low in lime which was fixed this year with ground lime, p & k index 4

do you think aerators return the cost of hiring in?

bob charles

get your shovel out and explore whats going on yourself, otherwise its a stab in the dark

just do it

Is it clay under the topsoil? If yes Muckit has your solution. Sounds like a lot of other land over the last few years, it's gotten compacted. Like bob says dig out a foot and it will tell a lot. Are the roots penetrating? Is the top soil loose or compacted? Can't see aerator solving the problem for you. When underlying cause is remedied you could look at a reseed.