How to Reclaim an Overgrown Pasture in Harford County

Harford and northern Baltimore County are full of fields that used to be pasture or hay ground and have been slowly taken back by briars, cedars, autumn olive and young trees. The good news: the soil is still there. Here's how to get it working again.

Step 1: Walk it and make a plan

Figure out what you want: grazing, hay, a horse paddock, wildlife habitat or just open ground. Note fence lines, wet spots, rock, and any trees worth keeping for shade or windbreaks.

Step 2: Knock down the growth

Forestry mulching is usually the fastest way to reclaim a pasture. It grinds brush and small trees in place, leaves a mulch layer that protects the soil, and doesn't leave burn piles. For lighter growth, brush hogging may be all you need.

Step 3: Deal with stumps and rock

For hay ground you'll mow, stumps need to be ground low or removed. For pasture, low stumps may be acceptable. Surface rock may need to be picked or buried.

Step 4: Test the soil

Long-abandoned fields are often acidic and low in nutrients. A soil test tells you how much lime and fertilizer you need. The University of Maryland Extension is a great local resource for soil testing and forage recommendations.

Step 5: Seed and establish

Seed with a forage mix suited to your use and soil. Give it time to establish before heavy grazing.

Step 6: Keep it open

The fastest way to lose your work is to stop maintaining it. Regular mowing, good grazing management and seasonal cutbacks along edges keep the woods from coming back.

Fence lines too

Reclaiming a pasture usually means reclaiming the fence lines around it. We clear overgrown fence rows so they can be repaired or replaced.