![](media/image1.png) ***COOL SEASON GRASS & LEGUME***

***ESTABLISHMENT & MANAGEMENT***

PLANNING

Planting cool season grasses and legumes can provide an excellent forage
crop, reduce soil erosion and improve water quality when land is
converted from annual row crops to a perennial grass/legume cover. Cool
season grasses and legumes also provide many wildlife benefits.

Select adapted plant species, varieties and mixtures according to the
planned use and site. Select plant species and varieties that have
compatible growth characteristics and are adapted for similar use and
soils and for the climate where they will be planted.

Establishment is for the purpose of
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Seeding

  ------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
  **Species/Mix**     **IN seeding Dates\***    **Dormant seeding
                                                dates\*\***

  Cool Season grasses 3/1-5/15 or 8/1-9/15      12/1-3/1

  Legumes             3/1-5/15 or 8/1-9/15      12/1-3/1

  Warm season grasses 4/1-6/15                  12/1-4/1

  Forbs               4/1-6/15                  12/1-4/1
  ------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------

\* Seeding which includes Tall Fescue and/or Perennial Ryegrass and a
mulch cover may extend to 9/30 for fall seeding due to the reduced time
for germination and range of cold tolerance.

\*\*Increase seeding rates by 25% dormant seeding. Broadcasting of warm
season grasses should only be done into a prepared seedbed with
protection from erosion as a consideration.

Legumes can be seeded in the fall but Ladino, Alsike, White Dutch and
Red Clover tend to prefer spring planting.

All cool season grasses can be planted either in the spring or the fall
except Redtop, which prefers the spring. There is less weed competition
with a fall planting. Seed will be planted on a pure live seed (PLS)
basis.

To figure percent Pure Live Seed (% PLS) rates, multiply the percent
purity by the percent germination. Divide the seeding rate by the % PLS
to find the bulk seed needed per acre. Example: 98% Purity X 60%
Germination = .588

10 pounds seed per acre / .588 = 17 pounds of bulk seed needed per acre
to get 10 lbs. PLS.

[Legume Inoculation]{.underline}

Inoculate legumes with their proper inoculate prior to seeding. Many
species require a specific inoculant. Apply a small amount of cola or
milk to seed (to make seed sticky), then add inoculant and mix well and
seed as soon as possible.

No-Till Seeding

Seed at a depth of ¼ inch unless otherwise directed. Attention to
suitable soil moisture is important. Soils too wet or too dry can cause
improper seed placement. Approved herbicides need to be applied at
proper rates to kill existing weed competition. Follow all Federal,
State and Local guidelines and also the Manufacturer's label rates when
applying pesticides.

Conventional Seeding

A seedbed should be worked to a minimum depth of 3 inches then smoothed
and firmed before seeding. Grass seed should be drilled uniformly and
seeded no more than 1/4 inch deep, or broadcast and firmed (culti-pack
before and after broadcast seeding). Up to 1/3 of the seed can be
visible on the surface. Care should be taken not to bury the seed too
deep. For most species, too shallow is better than too deep. Drilling is
better than broadcast seeding.

Interseeding

When interseeding grasses and legumes, existing vegetation needs to be
mowed low to the ground or heavily grazed to remove existing cover.
Interseeding can be done by no-tilling into existing sod or interseeding
may be done by broadcasting seed, if good seed to soil contact can be
achieved. Light disking prior to broadcasting may be needed to create
bare soil. After broadcasting, culti-packing or another light disking is
needed to create a firm seed bed. Interseeding is recommended from the
first of March to the first of May. Fall interseeding can be done from
August 1^st^ to September 30^th^.

Frost-seeding

Frost-seed in the early spring into the existing cover when the soil is
"Honey-combing", (natural soil heaving from freezing and thawing). Seed
carefully with a seeder on a four-wheeler, an air seeder or seed with a
hand seeder. Seeding twice at half-rate and at perpendicular angles will
improve seed distribution. Unless otherwise indicated only legumes
(except crownvetch & alfalfa) and timothy should be frost-seeded. To
prepare for frost-seeding existing vegetation needs to be mowed low to
the ground or heavily graze to remove existing cover. If fields are
tilled in the fall, a nurse crop of wheat can be planted conventionally
at the rate of ½ bushel per acre and a seed mixture may be frost-seeded
into this cover between February 1^st^ and March 20^th^. (Earlier in the
South and later in the North).

*Management*

Mowing

Seeded areas require close attention for early stand development. Weeds
should be mowed to a height of 4 to 6 inches in June, July and August,
as needed. All mowing should stop by mid-August and be high enough so
the new grass seedlings are not cut. Windrowing of clipped weeds can
kill new seedlings. Mow to a stubble height of 4 to 6 inches.

Maintenance should be at a minimum the second year. Some mid spring
mowing may be needed in fields with broad leaf weed competition.

Mow late enough in the growing season that wildlife nest destruction is
minimal (Mid August) on established stands when wildlife habitat is the
primary purpose. Cut no closer than 2 to 4 inches depending on species.
When possible, mowed material should be removed from field.

Grazing

If utilized for livestock, graze in such a manner to maintain a healthy
and vigorous stand by rotating and allowing a necessary rest period for
regrowth (21 to 45 days). Depending on the species the plant needs at
least 3 to 4 inches of growth from the base of the plant to sustain
itself and remain competitive. Continuous grazing generally tends to
reduce the stand to the most tolerant species which is not always the
most nutritious.

RECOMMENDED SEEDING MIXTURE AND RATES:

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  Field Number            Grass Seed/Legume       Pounds Pure Live Seed
                          Selection               Per Acre

                                                  

                                                  

                                                  

                                                  
  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

FERTILIZER & LIME NEEDS ACCORDING TO SOIL TEST:

  -------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
  Field Number         Lbs P2O5/Ac to Lbs K20/Ac to  Lbs N/Ac to    Tons Lime/Ac
                       apply          apply          apply          to apply

                                                                    

                                                                    

                                                                    

                                                                    

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  Natural Resources                                                 
  Conservation Service                                              
  are offered to                                                    
  everyone on a                                                     
  non-discriminatory                                                
  basis without regard                                              
  to race, color,                                                   
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  -------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------

See Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) standard (512) Pasture and
Hayland Planting, (327) Conservation Cover, or (342) Critical Area
Planting for grass / legume mixes and rates.

NOTES:

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All programs and service of the Natural Resources Conservation Service
are offered to everyone on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or
handicap.