How to Prepare a Paddock for Reseeding
Reseeding, or oversowing, is one of the most cost-effective ways to bring thin, tired or damaged pasture back into production. The seed will only do well if the paddock's ready for it, so good preparation clears out weeds and dead material, gives the seed loose soil to settle into and covers it lightly once it's sown. Getting these steps right helps the new pasture come through evenly and saves you from resowing patchy areas later.
Assess the Paddock and Deal With Weeds
Start by walking the paddock and checking the soil, the existing pasture and any problem areas. Look for:
- Bare or thin patches
- Heavy weed growth
- Compacted or pugged ground
- Deep ruts or uneven surfaces
- A thick layer of dead grass or old manure
- Wet or poorly drained areas
What you find will tell you how much work the paddock needs. A lightly worn paddock may only need a scratch of the surface, while badly pugged or rutted ground may need cultivating before you sow.
Deal with heavy weed growth before sowing, as weeds compete with new pasture for space, water and nutrients. If you use a herbicide, follow the label and wait the recommended time before sowing, as some products can affect new seedlings.
Prepare the Soil Surface
Seed needs loose, even soil to settle into, and a thick layer of dead grass, old manure or large clods can stop it reaching the soil. A triangle and chain harrow works well at this stage. Its spikes pull out dead thatch, break up manure and scratch the surface just enough for seed to settle in, without tearing out the pasture that's already there.
Where the ground's badly pugged or rutted, you may need a heavier cultivation pass to level it first. Either way, avoid working the soil harder than the paddock needs, as bare, broken ground also gives new weeds a place to start.
Choose the Right Time to Reseed
The best time to sow depends on the pasture species, your local climate, soil moisture and the weather expected after sowing. Check the requirements of the seed you're using and keep an eye on the forecast before you start.
Avoid sowing into ground that's too wet or too dry. Machinery can rut and compact wet soil, making it harder for new pasture to establish, while very dry soil won't give the seed the moisture it needs to germinate. If the paddock's too wet, wait a few days rather than damage ground you've already prepared.
Spread and Cover the Seed
Spreading the Seed
Once the surface is ready, spread the seed with a spinner or fertiliser spreader, or by hand on small areas. Set your spreader to the recommended sowing rate for your seed, and take extra care around headlands, corners and obstacles such as troughs and trees, as it's easy to miss these areas or double up on them.
Covering the Seed
After spreading, the seed needs good contact with the soil and a light covering to protect it, but seed buried too deep may struggle to come up. You can make a gentle pass with the same spiked harrow you used to prepare the surface, or use a harrow built for the job.
Plain Chain Seed Cover Harrows have flat-lying rings and an S-hook design that cover the seed without burying it too deep, along with a pipe drawbar that keeps seed disturbance to a minimum. They come in widths from 2.5m to 4.0m, with two chain options:
- 10mm: three rows of 10mm chain for lighter work
- 12mm: four rows of 12mm chain for normal work and longer life
Small seeds such as clover only need a light cover, so match the harrow to the seed you're sowing and the condition of your soil. If you're sowing with a drill, you can also tow seed cover harrows behind it to sow and cover in one pass.
Making the Final Pass
Drive at a steady speed on the final pass and check the paddock afterwards. If the seed's well covered, there's no need to go over it again.
Look After the New Pasture
Keep an eye on the paddock while the new pasture establishes. Look for:
- Exposed seed or patches with poor cover
- Waterlogging or runoff
- Weeds coming through
- Uneven germination
- Damage from stock or machinery
Finding these problems early gives you time to fix them before they turn into large areas of poor pasture.
New pasture also needs time to put down roots before it can handle traffic or grazing. Keep vehicles off the paddock where you can, and hold off grazing until the plants are established, following the seed supplier's advice for your pasture species.
Prepare the Paddock for a Better Start
A paddock that's clear of weeds and dead material, with a loose surface, evenly spread seed and a light cover, gives new pasture the best chance to establish. Take your time with each step, use the right harrow for each stage and give the new growth time to settle before you bring stock back in.
