Too late for reseeding- Kale???

Dunedin

I have 5 acres which is currently ploughed and walked it this morning and it is wet to say the least.

With a mixed forecast on the way, not holding out much hope to get it done.

Would kale or rape me an option as at least I'd have something out of it.

Water John

I think kale has to be set by July. Westerworlds ryegrass might be your best bet. No experience of it.

st1979

Is it too late though. I have land sprayed but not ploughed yet. Very wet. Last year I put some in on 10 October and while it looked poor over winter it's a grand reseed all year

greenfield21

st1979 wrote: »

Is it too late though. I have land sprayed but not ploughed yet. Very wet. Last year I put some in on 10 October and while it looked poor over winter it's a grand reseed all year

Are you talking about kale?

Mooooo

Could you stitch on some rape,? Strike may not be as good but could graze with a few heifers before they go to grass or at worst plough it in and help the soil in spring then? Some rain falling now down here in cork tho and another heavy blast due Tues day I think. Working soil will be very difficult

blue5000

Dunedin wrote: »

I have 5 acres which is currently ploughed and walked it this morning and it is wet to say the least.

With a mixed forecast on the way, not holding out much hope to get it done.

Would kale or rape me an option as at least I'd have something out of it.

Try a mixture of two or three things, redstart, which is a rape/kale hybrid, forage turnip and maybe vetch or red clover. Don't use mustard as it stops some other seeds germinating.
Last year I just rolled after ploughing, broadcast seed with a vicon and rolled again and it grew ok but it was the end of august not the end of september though.
Legally I don't think you can top dress it with N either. By using a mix at least one of them will grow. You might not get it dry enough to roll it after sowing, if the soil sticks to the roller, stop.

st1979

greenfield21 wrote:

Are you talking about kale?

No was a grass ressed

Sam Kade

Way too late for forage crops, stubble turnips could be planted up to the middle of September, over a week past that now and your land is wet which would take a few days to dry out which doesn't seem to be happening any time soon.

Bass Reeves

Rape is about the best option. But you will have a poor crop unless you have a mild winter. You will have to have it grazed by mid March as it will start to flower. Not sure if it is worth the risk. A lot will depend on the fertility of the land and the mildness of the winter.

larthehar

The way the weather is, i would leave well enough alone.. only spend a buch of money for very little or nothing.

Water John

Well, it depends on whether the OP is short of winter feed, but nothing wrong with sitting it out till late March. Give a till to encourage weeds to grow then.
Cultivate and set a few weeks later.

TalkingBull

st1979 wrote: »

Is it too late though. I have land sprayed but not ploughed yet. Very wet. Last year I put some in on 10 October and while it looked poor over winter it's a grand reseed all year

did u get fertiliser out on it in Oct, i have 3ac here sprayed off and got light power harrow about 5 weeks ago but with weather couldnt get back in, walked today and might chance it for tuesday/wednesday!!

st1979

TalkingBull wrote:

did u get fertiliser out on it in Oct, i have 3ac here sprayed off and got light power harrow about 5 weeks ago but with weather couldnt get back in, walked today and might chance it for tuesday/wednesday!!

No fert that autumn but had fair dose of fym before ploughing. Looked poor all winter but come spring burst on. There was a patch where spreader got blocked and no seed came out. It was bare all winter. Then weeds took over in spring when I spread new seed.
If it's ploughed and all now I would put grass in. But then I am near the sea so frost not so bad