applications for switchgrass must be made before planting the small If you live in a place where the soil is never far below 60 degrees, planting in fall or winter is fine. No-till planting of switchgrass has also been successful in Wisconsin. Do not apply any nitrogen during the year in which you plant switchgrass seeds because it also stimulates the growth of weeds. Because the cutting discs depth can easily be controlled, the switchgrass seed can be placed at the perfect depth for germination, just below the line of thatch or dying weeds. Although switchgrass can grow easily from seeds, it's worth noting that the seedlings often differ significantly from the original plants. Don’t worry about spreading; it’s never more than half as wide as it is tall. It takes more time to grow the mulch and requires It is common in Midwest prairies and is widespread in savannas of the Eastern United States. surface. When is it too late to plant it? be placed too deep and may not emerge following germination. Sandy or loamy soil are both fine for most varieties of switchgrass, so there's no need to treat your soil to change the texture. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Having a basic Switchgrass roots deeply and can withstand flooding, so it’s a good option if you’re concerned about erosion on your property. Seeding rate for the 36 inch row spacing should be 2.6 pounds PLS per acre; for the 24 inch row spacing the seeding rate should be 3.5 Make sure it has room to grow without blocking windows. Planting Grass Seed in Fall or Spring: The ideal time to plant grass seed varies by hardiness zone, but is usually in the spring, once temperatures have reached a consistent 60 F and there is no more danger of frost. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Switchgrass should be planted in the spring after soil temperature is above 60°F. References. A herbicide can be applied within a few days of planting switchgrass and should control any weeds, as well as the small grain crop. Switchgrass seed is hard and slick and can be handled without special drills. These are factors to keep in mind when you're choosing a variety for your garden. Switchgrass does well on a wide variety of soil types. INTRODUCTION . If either method is used properly, they both Sow seed at a rate of approximately 4-6 pounds of pure live seed (PLS) per acre drilled in a pure stand. If the seeds have been properly stored for 12 months or more, they can be planted either in the winter or early- to mid-spring. The optimum time to plant is early May to mid-June. While switchgrass gets tall, it won't grow very wide. 1. Switchgrass is used for pasture and makes a good quality hay when mowed prior to … Remove obstructions like rocks and other roots. Warrior: Grows four to six feet tall and blooms green. any weeds, as well as the small grain crop. Unlike cool-season grasses, it is drought-tolerant and produces well on shallow, rocky soils. Seed can be debearded — a process which removes much of the chaff and hair from seed of big bluestem and indiangrass — allowing them to be seeded using conventional equipment. Make sure that you plant within an area that will receive at least 7-8 hours of daily sunlight during the growing season. A herbicide can be The highly anticipated launch marks the first seed sales of non-food, low-carbon crops developed specifically as raw materials which are much more expensive and difficult to plant than switchgrass seed . It is also as tolerant of wet areas as reed canarygrass. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I live in northwest Kentucky. Switchgrass is a non-invasive, non-spreading species of ornamental grass. switchgrass may include planting into small grain stubble after Place it strategically so that it falls in between them instead of planting right in front of something you don't want to block. It is stunning because it is a warm season grass, you don't see any growth until it starts growing with warmer temperatures. Partial shade is fine if you don't have a completely sunny spot, but full sun is best for thriving switchgrass. The most notable A If early planting is not possible, doing a stratification through freezing and thawing of the seed in a freezer will likely improve germination rates some. Lightly water the area to help the soil settle. Take a look at this stand of Real World Wildlife switchgrass after its second winter in west central Minnesota.