Seed Mixture Selection

[RED]

I want to repair and improve grasses in paddocks on a clay soil, 500ft (161m) up a hill in south east wales, the ground is generally flat and obviously quite wet at present. What seed mixture, and source, would readers recommend to produce a durable ley I need to start soon but its still a bit cold to seed at present, I think.
I dont want to plough and reseed so the options are over seeding or inter seeding. There is a contractor in the area with kit for the latter. What are readers experiences and recommendations??

[JAMES]

I would recommend any mixture which contains a good proportion of meadow fescue and timothy
Both species were traditionally used in high rainfall areas of the country or on cold clay soils before the introduction of modern, agricultural ryegrasses.
Without a high application of fertiliser meadow fescue and timothy would still easily out perform most ryegrass based mixtures in your part of the world.

Timing is everything as there is a fine line between a wet clay soil and something close to concrete. Likewise temperatures need to be slightly higher to guarantee enough warmth in the soil for good germination so your contactor will need to be both reliable and timely.

If you have the equipment to overseed the area yourself at least you can take action when soil conditions are at their best.

Harrow, sow, lightly harrow (to mix seeds and soil) and lightly roll.
 
Keep over seeded areas topped or grazed reasonably tightly until the new grasses are emerging. Then (if possible) close the field off for  4- 6 weeks to let the new seedlings become established.  Top or lightly graze again over the coming weeks before returning to normal use.