Best kind of grass to grow?

[skeenan]

We're going to be planting grass in our newly-excavated pasture next month... what variety of grass would be hardy & durable, and good for the horses?

It isn't going to support their diet over the summer, it's more "something to do" grazing.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

[mini's mom]

hi

you should contact lauren at blue seal and find out what he thinks - my guess it would be blue seal hobby horse or other horse pasture mix

I like a mix with clover - horses love it and it grows fast - I think that the soil is too cold to plant anything yet but call lauren

good luck - any foals yet?

susan

[EO]

If you want something that will withstand anything, cold, heat or drought, Fuego is the way to go. It was perfected in Canada and we planted it a few years ago and it is something. However, you might have to cut it for hay if it gets ahead of you. It works great. EO

[skeenan]

Excellent!!!
Thanks for the suggestions!!

No, no foals yet... she's been in heat, though, tormenting my poor gelding!

[bcassidy]

You need to check your soil for the best pasture mix. How well does your farm drain? A good pasture mix will provide something for any seaon or condition that may arise during the year. Here in NJ, I plant Orchard, white clover some timothy and alphafa-- its pasture mix number 2 and it is specially blended for our farms in NJ. Plant in the fall rather than the spring, it will cost you less and you will have much better results. End of september is ideal here in NJ. In NH it may be the first or second week in September. Good luck.

[mini's mom]

what you should do if you can and get someone to turn your soil over is wait until fall and put in winter rye - it grows fast and puts nutrients in the soil - spread with cow poop - turn the field under and leave it for the winter for the snow to get on it - then plant in the spring - as soon as the soil warms up - around the time for peas or you can do what brandon says about putting sseed in in the fall and then leaving it - it would depend on your soil - the reason for cow poop is that the nutrients are oposite of those for horses - what one takes out the other replenishes - or the other thing is call the extension service in nilford and aske them to come out and see what your pastrues are like - around here the soil can vary from red clay to sand to dark farm loam or combinations of both - the folks at the extension service love to have their brains picked and you can get free trees from the also - or maybe l00 for a buck

susan

[Inyureye]

Mini's mom is right - the agricultural extension service is the first place for you to start. They know your region and will evaluate your soil and your use. There are many answers to your question, all of which would depend on where in the North American continent you live. I would be very careful, and make sure to consult regional knowledgable folks, then choose the one right for your animals, and make a long term plan for pasture maintenance.

[skeenan]

Thanks for all of the great advice!
Much appreciated!!

[DreamersPrincess]

You might also check out this site:

www.safergrass.org

It is aimed at IR and foundered horses, but has a lot of information or links to information about different grasses and safe vs risky grazing times. Like others have said, your best bet is to contact your local extension office and get soil tests done. If you don't plan to graze it this fall, then the summer can be used to grow a green manure crop.

[ZiaLand]

I need to improve my pasture, but turning over the soil is out of the question here. This high desert land is just too fragile. I'd end up with a dust bowl. It's taken me 10 years of careful management to bring it back from being overgrazed by the neighbors free-ranging cattle. Right now it's starting to look like it has the potential of becoming a rich pasture again, thanks in part to having a couple of very moist years, but it's primarily native Buffalo and Indian Rice grass. I need to thicken it up with something that's going to be more nutritious for grazing horses. Does anyone know of any successful methods for overseeding existing grass without disturbing the soil to any great extent?

Laurie

[madelyn]

You can always use a no-till drill to drill seed into existing pasture.

[bcassidy]

Zialand--a forced seeder is the best way to go for what you are tying to do. I bought one from woods, it is about 7 feet wide. I love it. In NJ it is best and also less expensive for us to seed in the fall. We don't need the lime or fertilizer when we seed in September. If we wanted to seed in the spring it is much more costly for us. The grass actually grows better in the fall and we don't have the weeds to contend with. You can go to the woods website for more information on their seeders. Ours cost about 4,500.00 three years ago. It is well worth the price.