Or feel free to use 4Riding's pasture clinic for specific questions. Remember that chemicals, when applied correctly and according to label, can be quite safe and very effective at controlling a weed population, at least until your newly seeded pasture is strong enough to resist being drowned out. Before Seeding Forage Species Selection. Take some time in deciding what variety of grass or legume you will be planting. Generally, a mixed seeding will fare better over time than planting a single variety of grass.
Some species are better suited to certain soil types than others.
For example, alfalfa does not tolerate poorly drained or low pH soils, while red clover and reed canary grass will do quite well. Generally, it would be quite difficult to change your soil type or drainage, but it is inexpensive to change a species. Contact your extension agent, feed mill, or ask in our Pasture Clinic for help with this matter. Soil pH and Fertility Adjustments. Most agricultural grade limestone requires at least six months from the time of application until it effectively changes the soil pH. Apply the amount of fertilizer recommended by your soil test at this time as well so that your soils will reach their optimum fertility level at the time of seeding.