2 replies to this topic

[Darkstar]

Hi All,
I am currently looking at a piece of land for sale near me. The land doesn't appear to have been cultivated for a long time. The grass is full of thistle and nettles, the hedges are straggly and the fencing is non existant in some parts. In the past it has been grazed and used for cereals.

My question is, how long would it take to get the grass back to good grazing? Could I put pigs on it to sort out the land? Would a farmer be interested in cutting it for a poor quality hay crop for cattle maybe? How much would it cost to get a tractor and one of those hedge cutting thingies? How much would a farmer be likely to charge me to cut the hedges?

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks,
Faye
xx

[Hobbit]

It's easier and cheaper than you might think.

Last year I was ordered by Defra to clear ragwort on 5 acres that I'd neglected for a long time (too busy with the 14 acres that I'm preparing). I had no idea of costs for topping the whole field and was pleasantly surprised when a local farmer did it for £70 all-in.

A year later and the field looks great, the grass seems to have regained dominance with very few thistles and ragworts showing. He used the same type of topper (multi-position flail cutter) that would be used to trim hedges, so it would be fair to assume that his rate of £20 per hour would be the same for hedge cutting aswell. I'm sure someone will correct me on this if I'm mistaken.

I'd consider letting sheep graze your land aswell, they're great for re-fertilising the ground.

[Groundhog]

Hi All,
I am currently looking at a piece of land for sale near me. The land doesn't appear to have been cultivated for a long time. The grass is full of thistle and nettles, the hedges are straggly and the fencing is non existant in some parts. In the past it has been grazed and used for cereals.

My question is, how long would it take to get the grass back to good grazing? Could I put pigs on it to sort out the land? Would a farmer be interested in cutting it for a poor quality hay crop for cattle maybe? How much would it cost to get a tractor and one of those hedge cutting thingies? How much would a farmer be likely to charge me to cut the hedges?

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks,
Faye
xx

In order to get it back it depends if it is a grass ley or just regeneration after a crop,in which case it is better to reseed.If it is grass depending on how thick it is you can flail top it or if you can find a local farmer who wants it let him cut it and remove the hay/silage that will leave you with a good low sward to regenerate,then in a few months when the thistles and docks start to grow you can spray them off when they are vulnerable and you should have a clean sward for next year,fertilizer can be put on in the spring to encourage growth,as Hobbit says £20 an hour is a good ball park figure to get someone to do hedgetrimming/topping etc it has to be worth their while tho its not worth the hasle to hook up machinery and travel somewhere for an hour job.Fencing for a guide stock fence with 3 to 4inch posts every 3m with a strand of barb you should be able to get done for under a fiver a metre by a contractor.Is the land subject to a countryside stewardship scheme ? maybe that is why it is so long