Autumn Paddock Prep 101: How to Get Your Land Winter-Ready

In autumn, prep paddocks by assessing soil and sward, grazing or topping tight, chain-harrowing to open the surface (aim for ~40% bare ground before overseeding), then overseed when soils are ≥7–8 °C and moist. Finish by rolling for seed-soil contact, manage gateways to prevent poaching, and delay grazing until the new grass is well established.

Why autumn paddock prep matters

Autumn is your window to fix summer damage, thicken thin swards, and protect fields before the wet months. Over-grazed or compacted areas become mud factories; well-timed harrowing, overseeding and rolling can restore density, improve drainage, and reduce winter poaching. Research-based guidance points to warm, moist soils and good seed-soil contact as the make-or-break factors for success.

Common autumn problems (and what “good” looks like)

• Bare patches & thin swards → open the canopy, overseed at the right soil temperature, roll to press seed in.

• Poached gateways & traffic lines → reinforce with mats/woodchip, improve drainage where possible, manage access.

• Compaction & waterlogging → assess structure and address shallow pans; aim for a firm, even surface before winter.

  
  

The 6 key steps to prepare your paddock

1) Walk the field: soil, sward, and traffic

• Check soil structure (spade test) and note compacted layers or smeared surfaces.

• Map thin areas (gateways, troughs, shelter belts) and decide which need spot-repairs vs whole-field overseeding.

2) Reduce competition: graze or cut tight

• Graze down (or top) to reduce shading from the existing sward and expose soil.

• The seedlings need light; AHDB notes you should see ~40% bare ground before over-sowing (chain-harrow in two directions if needed).

3) Open the surface: chain-harrow

• Chain-harrow to remove thatch and scratch the surface for better seed-soil contact.

• Cross-harrowing (two directions) helps achieve even exposure of soil and tilth.

4) Overseed at the right time and rate

• Soil temperature: sow when soils are ≥7–8 °C and rainfall is likely; this is typical into early/mid-autumn in much of the UK.

• Rates: AHDB guidance for autumn over-sowing gives a minimum of ~8 kg/acre (≈20 kg/ha) up to 15 kg/acre (≈37 kg/ha) for badly damaged swards. Full reseeds typically run 18–35 kg/ha.

• Depth: keep seed shallow (about 1–1.5× seed size); rolling matters more than depth for establishment.

5) Roll to seal the deal

• Roll after sowing (or let light sheep grazing tread seed in for 7–10 days) to ensure firm contact and conserve moisture; this step materially boosts take-up.

6) Protect new seedlings & manage high-wear zones

• Delay grazing until a strong root is set and leaf length is adequate; for horse paddocks, wait until grass is ~5–6 inches and well anchored.

• Gateways & tracks: use mats, woodchip or gravel in sacrificial strips to prevent poaching through winter.

  
  

Where compact tractors and Siromer kit shine

Open and prep

• Siromer Chain Harrow - opens the sward and creates tilth for overseeding.

• Siromer Flail Mower or Topper - mow tight pre-seeding; flails with hammer blades also tidy rough/bramble edges.

Seed and consolidate

• [Siromer Overseeder / Broadcast Seeder] - quick coverage for overseeding; ideal on small acreages where access is tight.

• Siromer Ballast Roller — presses seed into the soil to improve germination and conserve moisture.

Move and maintain

• Front Loader + Pallet Forks - move seed bags, mats, timber for repairs.

• Tipping Trailer - shuttle woodchip/gravel to reinforce gateways.

  
  

FAQs

When should I overseed a paddock in the UK? When soils are ≥7–8 °C and there’s moisture in the forecast. In many areas, that’s early/mid autumn; avoid very competitive growth periods and dry spells. Sites like Bostonseeds.com can supply a wide range of seeds to suit your needs, including those for stewardship schemes.

Do I need to roll after overseeding? Yes — rolling (or a few days of light sheep treading) improves seed-soil contact and establishment; it’s a high-leverage step.

How much seed should I use? For over-sowing, plan roughly 20–37 kg/ha depending on damage; full reseeds often sit around 18–35 kg/ha, mix-dependent.

How soon can I graze after overseeding? Wait until the sward is well anchored; for horses, aim for ~5–6 inches of leaf and a firm root before returning stock.

How do I prevent winter poaching? Spread pressure: reinforce gateways with mats/woodchip, rotate access, and use the best-drained fields for winter turnout where possible.