This year I cut the hay field 4 times and fertilized (as per soil sample) after each of the first three cuttings. Now I just completed my 4th cut for the year and am wondering if I should fertilize or not? By fertilizing after the last cut, will I be helping the Coastal root system while it is dormant this winter? Is there anything els I should do now that will help the hayfield get off to a good start next spring?

Lanny,
This is a direct quote from Dr. Larry Redmon when I asked him your question.

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quote:

Cutting this late is a no-no...and, given the dry conditions and cooler temperatures, any fertililzer applied now would probably yield little advantage. Leaving the hayfield with a standing crop that was fertilized earlier (like early Sept) would have resulted in a healthy forage crop going into the fall/winter with a good store of carbohydrates for overwintering on. The plants would have come out of the winter dormancy in better shape than they may now.

Leave the grass tall going into the winter (as tall as possible) and then graze after frost; this helps the forage and does not harm it.

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I know this is an old item, but what is different about cutting the hay just prior to frost?