Can You broadcast grass seed?
Broadcasting grass seed can pose some unique problems. When mixed with legume seed, grass seed will not “throw” as far and result in alternating strips of grass and legume plants. For this reason, it is recommended to seed grasses separate from legumes (i.e. make two passes) when using a broadcast seeder.
What is the average seeding rate for orchard grass?
Seed at the rate of 8 to 12 lb per acre. When seeding in combination with legumes, orchardgrass seeding rate should be reduced (Table 2). Orchardgrass should not be seeded with other grasses because of differences in maturity and palatability. Table 2. Seeding rates for timothy and a single legume in mixture.
When should I plant orchard grass seed?
The grass is sown deep in the ground from April to mid- May and again in September. The late fall seeding ensures that the soil is too cold for seeds to grow in the spring. Does orchard grass come back every year? There is a perennial, cool-season, tall-growing grass that does not have rhizomes. Can you plant orchard grass in the winter?
What type of grass is orchard grass?
Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a perennial, cool-season, tall-growing, grass which does not have rhizomes or stolons (bunch-type grass). Table 1. Characteristics of perennial cool-season grasses in the Northeast. a pH below 6.0. b Maturity characteristic refers to relative time of seed head appearance in the spring.
Can I broadcast grass seed?
Broadcast Seeding For best results, use a cultipacker to press the seed into the soil after seeding, or lightly rake the area to work the seeds into the soil. Broadcasting can also be used in no-till situations; however the success rate decreases as proper seed-to-soil contact is often lost.
Can you over seed orchard grass?
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Is orchard grass good for grazing?
It is one of the best forage grasses for use in the Northern states under intensive rotational grazing systems. It is compatible with many legumes (alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and various clovers) and with some grasses such as perennial ryegrass and tall fescue (Sullivan, 1992).
Does orchard grass come back every year?
These are cool-season perennial grasses, meaning that they grow during the spring and fall, but are somewhat less productive or dormant during the summer. Since they are perennial, they come back each year from a crown in- stead of through seed germination.
What is the highest yielding hay crop?
Alfalfa is the most frequently grown forage legume and the highest-yielding perennial forage crop grown in many countries.
What's the best time to plant orchard grass?
Orchardgrass is usually easy to establish in either early spring or late summer. Late summer seedings, however, have been most successful in Pennsylvania. There is increased risk of winter injury with summer seedings made after mid-August. Seed at the rate of 8 to 12 lb per acre.
How long does it take for orchard grass to mature?
For most grasses, this is about 3-6 weeks after planting, but could be longer depending on growing conditions. Remember to be gentle when mowing the first few times — the seedlings will be somewhat tender.
Does orchard grass fix nitrogen?
If growing orchardgrass in the absence of legumes, fertilization with nitrogen is recommended. This is not necessary if growing with legumes as they will fix nitrogen naturally in the surrounding soil.
Can cows eat orchard grass?
A sought-after grass known for its soft, highly palatable leaves, orchardgrass is suitable for horses, cattle, and small ruminants. It has good quality forage with heavy spring yield and moderate fall production but is less drought tolerant than fescue.
How long will orchard grass live?
Orchardgrass is considered a cool-season perennial grass since it can live for more than two years without requiring much maintenance.
Is timothy or orchard grass better for horses?
Orchardgrass and timothy hay are both excellent, but orchard grass gets the nod as the best of the two. It has a higher protein and calorie content and balanced calcium and phosphorus levels.
What is the difference between timothy hay and orchard grass?
Orchard Grass is higher in protein (10-12%), higher in calorie content and contains the same balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus as Timothy grass. The higher calorie content of Orchard Grass is a result of higher fiber digestibility compared to Timothy Grass.
How long does it take for orchard grass to mature?
For most grasses, this is about 3-6 weeks after planting, but could be longer depending on growing conditions. Remember to be gentle when mowing the first few times — the seedlings will be somewhat tender.
Does orchard grass fix nitrogen?
If growing orchardgrass in the absence of legumes, fertilization with nitrogen is recommended. This is not necessary if growing with legumes as they will fix nitrogen naturally in the surrounding soil.
How do you overseed a hay field?
Overseeding involves using a seed drill or cultipack seeder to sow seed during the growing season in an attempt to improve the composition of a pasture or hayfield. Simply broadcasting seed over the field usually gives poor results. Use a seeder to deposit the seed below the soil surface.
What temp does orchard grass germinate?
germination was greatest at 10 to 30°C. Germination of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and hardinggrass (Phalaris aquatica L.) was greatest at 15 to 20°C.
What is the seeding rate for orchard grass?
It’s best to sow the grass in the spring or the summer. If you sow in the middle to late August or later, you may not give young starts enough time to get used to winter weather. A seedbed that has been prepared will help to promote the quality of the grass.
How long does it take for orchard grass seed to germinate?
Depending on the type of lawn you want, there are a number of different grass seed mixes. I usually tell my clients that it takes two weeks to grow. The grass should grow at a rate of 2 cm a week once the seed is sown.
What grasses can be frost seeded?
Frost seeding success is usually obtained with legume species like red clover or birdsfoot trefoil but some grasses such as perennial or Italian ryegrass and orchardgrass can be successfully frost seeded with proper management.
How to get good seed to soil contact?
Seed-to-soil contact#N#As with any method of forage establishment, seed-to-soil contact is critical for successful frost seedings. There are several management practices that can be done to help insure good seed-to-soil contact. The first involves fall grazing management. Graze pastures short in the fall or winter prior to frost seeding to open stands and expose soil. Sod-type grasses like bluegrass are the most difficult to make successful frost seedings, especially where a thick layer of thatch covers the soil surface. In these situations short duration animal hoof action after seeding is sometimes needed to enhance seed-to-soil contact.
How to seed pastures after frost?
To be successful, good seed-to-soil contact needs to be accomplished by grazing or clipping pastures close to the soil surface in the fall prior to seeding. Best results are obtained in forage stands of non-sod forming species without a thatch barrier. After frost seeding, keep competition to a minimum by frequent grazing or machine harvests. Frost seeding success is usually obtained with legume species like red clover or birdsfoot trefoil but some grasses such as perennial or Italian ryegrass and orchardgrass can be successfully frost seeded with proper management. Base seeding rates on the current condition of pastures and the desired density of forage species being established.
Is ryegrass good for frost seeding?
Although smooth bromegrass was only intermediate in establishment, its sod-forming growth habit would likely result in additional plant formation from rhizomes. Both perennial and Italian (annual) ryegrass are good choices for frost seeding where fast establish ing, high quality pasture is desired.
Can Italian ryegrass be seeded in Wisconsin?
However, both of these species will not typically overwinter in Wiscons in and should be seeded with the intent of filling single-season forage needs. Based on Wisconsin studies, there does seem to be variety differences for Italian ryegrass establishment success with frost seeding.
Can you seed on top of snow?
Seeding on top of snow is acceptable only if the depth is not too great. The risk of seeding on top of snow is that a rapid meltdown may result in runoff of both water and seed. In Wisconsin, most frost seeding is accomplished during March.
Can you seed only one species?
For this reason, seeding only one species usually does not require rates as high as those seeded with conventional methods into a tilled seedbed where a full stand is desired. Frost seeding rates become a function of existing sod condition, species being seeded, and the desired number of seedlings in the final stand.
Adapted Varieties
Establishment
- Orchardgrass is usually easy to establish in either early spring or late summer. Late summer seedings, however, have been most successful in Pennsylvania. There is increased risk of winter injury with summer seedings made after mid-August. Seed at the rate of 8 to 12 lb per acre. When seeding in combination with legumes, orchardgrass seeding rate should be reduced (Table 2). O…
Harvest Management
- For highest quality and high yielding hay, orchardgrass should be harvested in spring during boot stage. Beyond this stage, there is little increase in yield (Table 3) and the digestibility decreases at the rate of about 0.5 percent per day (Table 4). Aftermath growth can be harvested at 4-to 6-week intervals. Production and cutting frequency are greatly affected by soil moisture, soil temperatur…
Fertility
- Maintain soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 for best results. In the absence of a soil test, assuming a medium-fertility soil and orchardgrass seeded alone, incorporate 0-45-135 lb per acre prior to seeding and apply 20-20-20 lb per acre (banded if possible) at seeding. Top dressings with lime, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) based on soil-test results will be necessary for top productio…
Summary
- Orchardgrass is a bunch type grass which establishes rapidly and is suitable for pasture, hay, or silage. However, because it becomes coarse and less palatable as it matures, it is best suited for pastures. The rapid decline in palatability and quality as orchardgrass matures is the major deterrent to its use. Orchardgrass requires careful manageme...