Can you broadcast orchard grass seed?

Seedings of orchardgrass can also be made with broadcast equipment such as fertilizer trucks, buggies or tractor-mounted distribution. Broadcast equipment will not throw orchardgrass seed as far as it will throw fertilizer or heavier seeds such as fescue.

Can orchard grass be broadcast?

A deep furrow or range drill with press wheels may be used; Orchardgrass is easily established with grain drills or by broadcasting seeding. The seeding rate is 8 to 12 pounds/acre. For range and critical area treatment a seeding rate of 3 to 4 pounds/acre is recommended. If broadcast, double the seeding rate.

When should you broadcast orchard grass?

Orchardgrass should be grazed the first time in the spring at or before the plants reach the boot stage of reproduction and may be grazed every 4 to 6 week after the first grazing.

Will orchard grass reseed itself?

Will orchardgrass reseed itself? Yes, but only under optimal conditions. Furthermore, orchardgrass produces seed heads during their initial spring growth. After cutting or grazing, it will then reproduce through its leafy and palatable regrowth.

Does orchard grass make a good lawn?

Orchardgrass may be a hardy grass variety, but it is still undesirable in a lawn due to its appearance and effect on the existing grass.

Broadcast seeding Orchard Grass

How long does it take for orchard grass to mature?

Cultivating orchard grass as hay or silage typically requires 50 days or less after germination before the first collection.

How long does it take for orchard grass seed to germinate?

Continue reading below for tips on how to grow orchard grass from seed. Direct sow when the nights are cool around the time of the last frost and the 4-6 weeks that follow. Plant again as the weather cools, 8-10 weeks before the first frost date. Expect germination in 7-14 days.

How long will orchard grass last?

Seed fields are usually productive for at least 4 years with good management practices. There are many orchardgrass releases available.

Will deer eat orchard grass?

Deer don't eat orchard grass – or any pasture grass. They will eat the clover, but the grass will outcompete the clover for nutrients.

Can you broadcast sainfoin?

Sainfoin is a long-lived perennial and non-bloating legume preferred by multiple big game species. The highly attractive and nutritious perennial is drought and cold tolerant, and an excellent choice for western food plots and soil conditions. Plant into a clean, firm seedbed when both drilling and broadcasting.

What is boot stage in orchard grass?

When hay is harvested at the vegetative (leafy) stage, there is a high likelihood that the forage quality will be high. Grass stands harvested at the boot stage (before seedhead emergence) will have increased yield over vegetative stands, but the quality is lower.

What is the difference between timothy hay and orchard grass?

Oxbow Western Timothy Hay is high in fibre, low in protein and calcium and is a good, basic grass hay with high quality nutrition. Orchard grass is another cool-season grass; it grows in tufts and is more drought tolerant than Timothy hay. Orchard grass has a soft texture and is high in fibre and low in protein.

Is orchard grass good for cattle?

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.

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.

Can orchard grass 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.

When should I overseed my hay field?

The best times for planting are late April to early May and mid- August to early September. Spring seedings are best if field conditions allow you to bring equipment on the field, but late summer seedings are better if the field is too wet to work in spring.

Is orchard grass good for wildlife?

IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : Orchardgrass is moderately nutritious and highly palatable to deer, elk, bighorn sheep, cattle, and domestic sheep and goats. The persistent, green, basal rosette provides good winter forage for deer and elk [14,50]. Early spring growth provides green forage for all species [60].

What animals eat orchard grass?

Orchardgrass is one of the highest quality grasses that is a good hay option for horses, cattle and other livestock. In cattle, sheep and goat diets, it produces a superior body weight gain and milk production compared to other grasses, making it a great choice for pregnant, lactating and even growing animals.

Will fescue choke out orchard grass?

About the only good thing about orchardgrass is that it is a bunch grass and does not spread. Orchardgrass often comes in as a contaminant in grass seed, especially K-31 tall fescue. Buying good grass seed is the first line of defense against this weed.

What is the best cutting of orchard grass?

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.

Is orchard grass good for horses?

Orchard Grass is the emerging super star of the horse hay world. Orchard Grass is a highly palatable grass with a high nutrient content. 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.

How do you get rid of orchard grass?

Use white vinegar

Pick up some white vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle. A good rule of thumb is to use 2 cups of vinegar for every 1 square foot of orchardgrass you want to kill. This simple white vinegar solution should kill orchardgrass within a few days.