GRASS SEEDING GUIDELINES

SELECT SPECIES AND VARIETIES adapted to the area, the soils, desired use, and anticipated level of management.

SOILS. Consult the soil survey report for soil types in the fields to be seeded. On very sandy soils either weeping lovegrass or a mixture of native species are best adapted. On less sandy to finer textured soils Old World bluestems or native species are adapted. 'WW-Iron Master' Old World bluestem is adapted to soils where iron deficiency has been a problem on sudan, sorghum, small grains, other Old World bluestems, or weeping lovegrass. 'Caucasian' bluestem can be highly productive on better soils; however, its small basal area makes it less effective in stabilization of erodible soils than other grasses. Species adapted to moist, somewhat saline sites include switchgrass, bermudagrass, alkali sacaton and the cool-season 'Jose' tall wheatgrass.

SEEDING RATE. Seeding rates of 15 to 30 pure live seed (pls) per square foot are commonly used. This depends on species selected and somewhat on seed cost. Percent pls is calculated as % purity x % germination (information on seed tag).

SEED SHALLOW, 1/8 to 1/4 inch is the optimum seeding depth for most warm-season grasses. A firm seedbed is needed to assure seeding this shallow. A firm seedbed also enhances water movement from soil to seed. Drills for seeding chaffy-seeded grasses are usually available to cooperators from Soil Conservation Districts.

TIMELY SEEDING. April is the optimum time for seeding warm-season grasses in western Oklahoma. This takes advantage of late spring rainfall patterns and rising soil temperatures for germination and seedling establishment.

CONTROL WEED COMPETITION. 'Ally' and/or 2-4-D used after grass emergence and according to manufacturers directions are effective herbicides that control broadleaf weed seedlings in grass plantings. Flash grazing (high livestock density over a few days) can reduce competition from crabgrass and other fast-growing palatable weeds. Mowing when fast-growing weeds are 10 to 12 inches tall and grass is still small is also effective.

FERTILIZATION. Nitrogen fertilization is not recommended for seedling establishment of warm-season grasses in western Oklahoma. Fast-growing weedy annuals usually benefit more from nitrogen fertilization than the slower growing perennial grass seedlings. Phosphorus must be adequate - test soil and follow recommendations. The best time to apply phosphorus is to broadcast and work in prior to seeding, or banding when seeding. Other nutrients will seldom be limiting to grass establishment in western Oklahoma.

PATIENCE. Warm-season grasses are slow to establish. Under favorable conditions a few tiny leaf tips may be emerging in mid-May. By early June seedlings should be in a two leaf stage anchored by a single root. Moist conditions at the soil surface are now needed for 3 to 5 days for sturdy roots to emerge from the shoot just below the soil surface. By mid to late summer some seedlings may head. However, under adverse climatic conditions and weed competition, it is difficult to determine if some seedings are a success. Final assessment of stand establishment should be delayed until late spring of the second growing season or even longer in some cases.