SRBeef":15ly7gtn said:
Farmgirl":15ly7gtn said:
My question is very similar to Gulfso's. We put out lime in March of this year (5.9ph in Sept), then overseeded with crimson clover and ryegrass about a month ago. It is coming up and looks like a good stand. We are beginning to get some much needed moisture. Soil test shows we need over 100 pounds of K and 40 pounds of P. I have been watching fertilizer prices hoping it would come down. When should we fertilize?
Thanks,
Farmgirl
P & K can go on about any time the pasture is fit to drive on but not frozen. It is large amounts of N that should be applied AFTER the first flush of spring growth is over and preferably just ahead of a rain. Depending how much lime you put on you shuld see your soil test pH continue to rise. Clover needs in the 6's to persist.
Good luck.
For flush of spring growth for grazing, fertilize in late February and early March when temperatures begin to warm.
SR, down here ryegrass and clover is used for early spring grazing before the warm season grasses get started. Applications of fertilizer in the fall would to get the ryegrass growing until the cold weather slows growth. A little late to do that for now, next would be late February to March depending on how early the ground begins to warm. This is how near year round grazing is achieved. I kind of watch the cow pattie spots, when you see those spots starting to grow it is a good sign fertilizer would be put to use. Oats, covers and ryegrass are usually cooked by southern temperatures by mid-May.
Other problems of heavy fertilized ryegrass. If you don't keep it grazed down it will damage, choke out and delay warm season grasses. To avoid this SR's method would be better but you won't get the grazing potential you would if you fertilized earlier. So it really depends on what your goal is as to how to go about achieving it.
SR's method is good, timetable can be adjusted for different climate.
A mix of ryegrass, clover, and bermuda makes excellent hay.