How to Grow Grass in a Horse Corral
- 1). Select a grass seed. Certain grasses are more nutritious than others and certain grasses will grow better in your local soil than others. Some types of grass seed include timothy, clover, Bermuda and orchard grass. For more information contact the local agricultural extension agent with your county or visit the LawnGrasses.com website in the References section.
- 2). Choose a time to seed your corral. Generally the best times to seed is in the fall or spring while worst times are during the heat of summer and cold of winter. Check the instructions on your selected grass seed package to help determine the best time to use the seed. For more guidance on planting grass in your particular climate, consult with your county agricultural extension agent.
- 3). Seed the corral. Use a grass-seed spreader to ensure an even application of seed over the entire area. Overseeding two to three times the recommended for the amount for the square footage of the corral helps to ensure the grass will take.
- 4). Water the freshly seeded area. If rain does not fall in the days after your planting you should water the corral. The corral needs to be kept moist for about the next month for the grass to grow best.
- 5). Lay straw over the freshly planted seeds. This will help prevent wind from blowing away the seed or the soil in which it is planted.
- 6). Keep the horses out of the corral while the grass is taking hold. The grass needs to grow to about 6 inches to 8 inches high before horses can be allowed back in the corral.
- 7). Protect the grass seed from deer and birds. Erecting deer fences can help keep deer out and laying down a net over the seeded area can prevent birds from eating the seeds.
- 8). Bring the horses back into the corral when the grass is over 6 inches.
- 9). Remove horses from the corral when the grass gets under 3 inches tall.
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