Seeding dates were spaced approximately every 2 to 3 weeks from late about August 1 st to … Orchardgrass is a cool season, introduced, perennial, bunchgrass. We have about a 10 acre plot of orchard grass and we are considering over seeding some white clover into this field this year for some added protein value. The English name of Cock's-foot Grass is derived from a fancied resemblance between the branching panicle and a bird's foot. Late summer seedings, however, have been most successful in Pennsylvania. Soil should be tilled before planting and be moderate to well-drained. Seed at the rate of 8 to 12 lb per acre. There is a tremendous range in heading dates, from May 16th to June 11th from the earliest to the latest variety (26 days). Ideally, the soil should have a pH between 6.5 to 7.0. Orchard Grass. silage 20 to 30/sq ft 2 to 2-1/2 bu 1 to 2 Oct 1 to 30 May 10 to Jun 1 4 to 10 T (65% moisture) Cut for silage in boot (Feekes 10) growth stage. Table 1. Planting Persist Seeding Rate. When planting cool season pastures apply all of the phosphorous and potassium that is recommended from your soil test at planting along with 50-60 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Insects & Plant Disease. We seeded six forage grasses at several late summer dates at three sites in Wisconsin (River Falls, Arlington, and Lancaster) over three years. Scheduling and … Use winter varieties. Orchardgrass is fairly tolerant of drought, traffic and other challenging growing conditions. Drill – A grass drill is the best method of seeding on level and sloping aeas, bt the preferu red methor d will depend on slope and conditions of the planting site. Orchardgrass is often considered suitable for a wide range of livestock. The first report of orchardgrass in Kentucky occurred in the early 1830s when seed was col- lected by Phillip Henshaw from his father’s orchard in Orange County, Virginia, and planted on the Henshaw farm in Oldham County, Kentucky. Harvesting Guide The first step in forage management is the proper establishment of pasture and hay fields. Remove all weeds from the planting site with a hoe. Planting calendars for places in Virginia. Orchard grass uses span more than erosion, fodder, hay, silage and natural ground cover. HARVESTING SAVING SEEDS Based on frost dates and planting … winter cover crop 30 to 70 lb (drilled)2. Seeds should be sown approximately ¼-1/2" deep. There is increased risk of winter injury with summer seedings made after mid-August. With a well-prepared seed bed, however, orchard grass may flourish in poor soils or shady areas. seeding date tall fescue orchardgrass timothy 15-20 10-15 8 Aug 15 - Oct 1 Feb 20 - April 1 Aug 15 - Oct 1 Aug 15 - Oct 1 Feb 20 - April 1 2. With a well-prepared seed bed, however, orchard grass may flourish in poor soils or shady areas. Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds. Propagation and Planting Timothy Grass. It grows in erect culms 50 to 100 cm (20 to 40 in) tall. It is a good idea to periodically check the pH of stands-ideally this should remain between 6.0-7.0. Sow the seeds no more than 1/2 inches deep. Orchard grass is a cool season grass which is typically found in pastures. Soil can be amended with lime (limestone) if needed to raise pH. Plan to use a drill with two boxes. Ripe seeds come off very easily. Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings to the garden—all customized to your location. If pH drops, top dressing with lime can be used to correct. If sowing in fall, do not sow later than one month prior to the first average frost of the fall. Wait until temperatures get above 65°F during the day and then seed. The leaves are 2-8 mm wide, and 20-30 cm Switchgrass is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial grass that is native to much of the United States including Virginia. Orchardgrass is ideally sown in spring, or late summer. Cock's-foot Grass. Most farmers do not realize how much fall seeding date affects the yield of the grasses the next year. This mismanagement weakened the stands and eventually led to their demise. Ready to plant, but not sure exactly how many lbs./acre to plant to achieve what I want. Consult the Related Web Sites on the Plant Profile Description: Grass family (Poaceae). For best weed control, plant clovers after adequate establishment and weed management has been performed. Note that sowing in mid to late August or later may not give young starts enough time go become stable for the oncoming winter. Mature seeds can be brown to light tan depending on species. Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages. Planting Dates Generally, the earlier planting dates of the planting range are for spring-planted crops in eastern and southern areas, while for fall-planted crops, they apply to northern and west-ern areas (Table 1). Grazing below 3-4 inches can cause damage to plants, retarding future growth and delaying future grazings. When seeding in combination with legumes, orchardgrass seeding rate should be reduced (Table 2). GROWING NOTES Cool season grasses germinate very early and produce well in May and early June. For collection grasp your hand around the base of the mature inflorescence and in a clasping motion pull upwards and strip the seeds from the spike. It matures earlier than mid or late maturing varieties, has moderate winter hardiness, and regrows quickly. Description General: Grass Family (Poaceae). Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings to the garden—all customized to your location. 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