Dumb question probably! Cleared field (formally timbered) seeded with a 60/40 mixture of fescue/wheat (based on advice we got) last fall.
Do we have to now disc and turn over all that up in order to replant with all fescue? Or can we drill the seed from now on over what is there?
Just curious–why do you want to plant all fescue? What will the field be used for?
It won’t be horse pasture at least not the foreseeable future. Ten years from now? Who knows. But we wanted a sturdy grass, the soil is not great – sticky, silty, poor draining. If endophyte free, it could possibly be a grass hay for cattle?
My husband and I are new to this, it’s really just an investment property that needs prettying up. And eventually I’d like to do some riding on this field for conditioning work. If you have any suggestions on a seed that might be better, please let me know! This is in central NC. Thanks!
I’d just drill with fescue, I don’t think you’ll have much trouble. Edited to add that fescue is common as pasturage in the West, I think many use Fawn fescue, that is endophyte free, but I’d still be careful with pregnant animals grazing it.
It won’t stay endophyte free over time. It gets cross pollenated with other fescue plantings around your location, so the endophyte flourish as time passes. As mentioned, not good for pregnant animals.
You could just let it grow and spread to cover the ground in time. Saves on seed cost if there won’t be any grazing. Just mow the fields a few times a year to prevent shrub and tree growth, maybe spray a broadleaf herbicide yearly to keep the weeds reduced.
You might check around, see if anyone would hay it for you, earn enough to pay the taxes and fertilizer cost… That use would need grass planting, regular fertilizing to get good hay. Check with your previous advisor about planting other mixed grass seeds for good hay in your area.
Land not attended to, mowed regularly every year, reverts to wild. Then you need to clean out brush to be able to use it again.
Is there a local agricultural or conservation agent you could ask for recommendations?
In general, monoculture fields are not ecologically friendly and they’re not as healthy long term as fields with a variety of grasses and legumes. Also, fescue is a cool season grass that goes dormant in hot dry weather. If you seeded in some warm season grasses and legumes along with the fescue you would have a much healthier field. With the right mix, you could have grass for grazing or hay most of the year, and it would benefit the birds and the bees and the butterflies. Also, legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, which cuts down fertilizer costs.
I’m in PA and it’s pretty common to do what you describe. I assume it’s winter wheat? The wheat stabilizes the young fescue. After they harvest the wheat the fescue grows up and fills in. I’d leave it alone and see what you have in the fall. You can always drill in a warm season grass next spring if it’s sparse. I believe most of central NC is kind of borderline warm season vs cold season. Fescue may do well except for the hottest part of the summer.
Yes winter wheat. good to know all, thank you so much! I forgot in one part of the field this spring we did put down some “Southern States Professional Horse Pasture Mixture South features a blend of cool season grasses and white clover”
I will ask in fall what kind of blend would be good because that does make sense, OzarksRider, if that or something else. I hope the price of seed goes down!!
Fall is when you want to plant cool-season grasses like Fescue. You CAN do it in the Spring, but if we get a hot or dry (let alone both) Summer, most of it will die because it doesn’t yet have the root system to survive.
Warm season grasses like Orchard and any of the Bermudas are best in Spring after the soil has warmed up enough.
I dislike pretty much all “pasture mixes” because they tend to contain things that are either unsuitable for the region (Timothy does not grow (well) in NC), and/or don’t stand up to grazing or foot traffic.
So, if you want variety you’ll be planting a warm season grass here soon, and overseeding with a cool season grass in the Fall
If endophyte free it will be fine for any animal to eat. Fescue gets a bad rap but it is a hardy / drought resistant grass and just fine to grow for hay and/ or pasture. I would just drill it in. You can always drill in a pasture mix later on down the road.
ETA: No pasture or field will ever be in an area that can grow fescue.
Slight correction, @JB. Orchardgrass, like fescue (and timothy, bluegrass, etc.) is a cool season grass. 
You’re right! My mind said Timothy and my fingers typed OG 
i’d stay away from brom if you’re planting cool season mixes. That stuff has a nasty seed head.
Timothy is also a cool season grass. I think your brain is messing with you this week!
Examples of warm season grasses: bermudagrass, bahia, crabgrass, etc.
oh just shoot me! I KNOW this, what is wrong with me! Carry on… 
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