Soil assessment prior to a grassland reseed

Read our tips on how to soil test a field and assess soil structure for a grassland reseed.

Six months before reseeding, it is important to:

• Make sure the field drainage system is working and fit for purpose
  • Look for wet areas and indicator species such as rushes
  • Clear drainage ditches and ensure all outflows are working correctly
• Soil test the field
• Assess the soil structure

• Walk the field in a ‘W’. Avoid gateways and feeding areas
• Twist a sampling auger/soil corer down to 15 cm (if planning to plough) or 7.5 cm (if only cultivating the surface)
• Collect 25 plugs of soil in a bucket and mix well
• Take out a subsample, seal the soil in a plastic bag and label
• Send the sample to a soil laboratory (via local co-op, fertiliser merchant or independent company)
• Sample at least two months after the last application of manure, fertiliser or lime

A Visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) is a straightforward and quick way to test soil structure in a few simple steps.

If the soil scores 1, 2 or 3 (good to moderate structure), a ‘minimum-till’ reseed rather than ploughing may be sufficient. However, if the soil scores 4 or 5 (poor structure), ploughing would be recommended.