Natural Pony Paddock - with Herbs & No Ryegrass
Ref: mixpp
This is another non-ryegrass mix which contains a wide selection of traditional grasses and herbs, lifting valuable trace elements from the soil and providing a healthy, balanced diet. Research links consumption of ryegrass with an increased risk of laminitis so by avoiding ryegrass the pasture offers the horses and ponies a pasture rich in nutrients and minerals but not in sugars. This type of mixture is slower to establish than those with ryegrass, but the resulting turf is dense and more resilient. Sow no later than mid September.
Contents per Acre | % | kg | |
certified PARDUS meadow fescue | 21.4 | 3.000 | |
certified MAXIMA creeping red fescue | 17.9 | 2.500 | |
certified Dakisha smooth stalked meadow grass | 13.2 | 1.850 | |
certified DONATA cocksfoot | 12.1 | 1.700 | |
certified ELODIE tall fescue | 10.7 | 1.500 | |
certified DOLINA timothy | 10.0 | 1.400 | |
certified Gima chewings/red fescue | 9.3 | 1.300 | |
certified HIGHLAND common bentgrass | 1.8 | 0.250 | |
certified TENO smaller catstail | 0.4 | 0.050 | |
Burnet forage herb | 1.8 | 0.250 | |
Ribgrass forage herb | 0.7 | 0.100 | |
Yarrow forage herb | 0.4 | 0.050 | |
Sheeps Parsley forage herb | 0.4 | 0.050 |
Bentgrass
Common Bentgrass is a perennial grass with fine leaves, The seed head is delicate and attractive, opening loosely from late spring through to autumn. Older swards in heavily grazed or trampled areas may form dense, low growing clumps.
Burnet
Burnet is a forage herb, It is noted for having deep tap roots, which helps it remain green on thin, dry soils. It is also early to grow in the spring, contributing to forage in late March to April.
Cocksfoot
A densely tufted, bluish green species, it can grow up to 1 metre in height and can create tussocks. The dense one sided panicle is said to resemble the shape of a cocks foot.
Creeping Red Fescue
Often known as Strong Red Fescue, this common grass, as its name implies, has creeping rhizomes . It has a more vigorous creeping habit than some similar species which can help to create a dense, hardwearing turf or sward. These shallow creeping roots help it to remain green even in drier soils.
Creeping Red Fescue Species Guide Buy Creeping Red Fescue Straight
Meadow Fescue
One of the larger fescues this is a valuable grazing grass which can also be made into hay. Recent thinking has altered the Latin so that the flat leaved fescues (meadow fescue and tall fescue) have been given their own genus, separate from the finer leaved fescues.
Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue
Also known as chewings fescue, this is a fine leaved, tufted grass. It is distinguished from creeping red fescue by its absence of creeping rhizomes. It remains dark green throughout most of the season.
Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue Species Guide Buy Red Fescue / Chewings Fescue Straight
Ribgrass (plantain)
Ribgrass is a very popular perennial forage herb which is commonly mixed with sheep's parsley, yarrow and burnet to increase diversity and lift trace elements from deep within the soil profile. It can be mixed with regular grassland species to increase grazing quality, and with deep roots it is also popular in mixtures for lighter land. It is also known as Plantain or narrow leaf plantain.
Ribgrass (plantain) Species Guide Buy Ribgrass (plantain) Straight
Sheeps Parsley
Sheeps parsley is a common forage herb, usually mixed with ribgrass, yarrow and burnet to increase diversity and lift trace elements from deep within the soil profile. It can be mixed with regular grassland species to increase grazing diversity.
Smaller Catstail / Small Timothy
A leafy perennial species found throughout the UK. It grows on low lands to foothills and can be found in old pasture and hedgerows. Normally thought of as a smaller, lower yielding relative of Timothy. Although valued as a forage plant for livestock, it can also form a useful compact turf.
Smaller Catstail / Small Timothy Species Guide Buy Smaller Catstail / Small Timothy Straight
Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass
Found throughout the UK in meadows and traditional pastures. It is said to be one of the greenest grasses found growing in the early spring, and is an indicator of land that is well drained and in good heart. The species itself is palatable, and nutritional to livestock, often called one of the traditional 'sweet grasses'.
Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass Species Guide Buy Smooth Stalked Meadow Grass Straight
Tall Fescue
Tall fescue is found throughout the UK, it has similar features to meadow fescue, however it is distinguished by being taller, and coarser, with a rough upper leaf and margins. The well developed root system means it is tolerant of drought, damp and frost, which has created interest among plant breeders, looking to cross highly productive ryegrass and resilient fescue species as festuloliums. Recent thinking has altered the Latin so that the flat leaved fescues (meadow fescue and tall fescue) have been given their own genus, separate from the finer leaved fescues.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a small seeded forage herb which is commonly mixed with sheep's parsley, burnet and ribgrass to increase diversity and lift trace elements from deep within the soil profile, as a specific herbs mixture, or part of a diverse grass ley. It has been noted to improve circulation and blood flow in livestock.