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| ## orchardgrass {#orchardgrass .Title-Header}                         |
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| *Dactylis glomerata* L.                                               |
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| Plant Symbol = DAGL                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### ![Color image of Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata)](media/image2.jpeg){width="1.9744094488188977in" height="2.69251968503937in"}Caution: This plant may become invasive. {#color-image-of-orchardgrass-dactylis-glomeratacaution-this-plant-may-become-invasive. .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

*Livestock*: The primary use of orchardgrass is for forage production.
It is highly palatable to all classes of livestock. Orchardgrass is one
of the best forage grasses for use in the Northeast in intensive
rotational grazing systems.

*Erosion control*: Because of its dense network of roots, orchardgrass
provides good erosion control on those soils to which it is particularly
adapted.

*Wildlife*: Orchardgrass is used in grass-legume mixes for nesting,
broad rearing, escape and winter cover in upland wildlife and
conservation plantings.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*Dactylis glomerata* L., orchardgrass, is a persistent, cool season
bunchgrass. Under dry land conditions, it usually develops distinct
clumps and flower culms 15 to 18 inches tall. Leaves are usually less
than 12 inches in height. When grown under irrigation or in more moist
situations, it attains a much larger stature and grows together in a
close stand. No vegetative spread has been observed. Orchardgrass is one
of the earliest species to grow in the spring, making tremendous growth
during cool conditions. Due to deep roots it also is capable of strong
summer growth when conditions are favorable. Orchardgrass has 487,000
seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

Orchardgrass is found from Maine to the Gulf Coast states and from the
Atlantic Coast to the eastern Great Plains. It is common throughout the
Appalachian Mountains and is especially well-adapted to Maryland,
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. It is
also found in the high-rainfall regions of the western mountains and in
irrigated areas throughout the West. Areas of greatest adaptability in
the West are the sagebrush, grass, and pinyon-juniper communities,
although the plant has performed well when seeded in the aspen and
Douglas fir communities. In the Northeast, orchardgrass is adapted to
somewhat poorly drained to well-drained soils.

Orchardgrass performs well on different textured soils ranging from clay
to gravely loams and on shallow to deep soils. It does not grow well in
saline soils and areas with high water tables. It has the ability to
establish and persist in areas that receive as little as 11 inches of
annual precipitation.

Orchardgrass performs best in a pH range of 5.8 -- 7.0.

For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

A clean, firm, weed-free seedbed is recommended. Range and erosion
control seedings should be made in the late fall or very early spring.
Do not seed after the spring moisture period is well advanced or a
failure may occur because of drought and hot summer conditions before
the grass is well established. A deep furrow or range drill with press
wheels may be used; orchardgrass is easily established with common
agricultural drills in the Northeast. For range and critical area
treatment a seeding rate of 3 to 4 pounds per acre is recommended. If
broadcast, double the seeding rate. Adjustments in seeding rate should
be made when seeding in mixtures. Seeding depth should not be more than
1/2 inch. When seeding for seed increase, planting should be in 28 to 40
inch rows. Seed at 1-1/2 to 2 pounds per acre. Seed matures evenly and
is ready for harvest in mid-August. When direct combining the seed
should be dried before storing.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Under dry land conditions the planting should not be grazed until late
summer or fall of the second growing season. The plants may be severely
damaged by overgrazing especially in the seedling year. Use no more than
60% of the annual growth during the winter season or 50% during the
growing season. This plant responds well to a rotation-deferred grazing
system. Periodically the grass should be allowed to mature and produce
seed for continuation of the stand.

Orchardgrass responds to good fertility management. One strategy to even
out the forage production is to fertilize the stand after the first and
second cutting or grazing to boost late spring and summer production.
Apply fertilizer based upon regular soil tests.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Brown stripe, scald, rust and leaf spot are the most prevalent and
destructive disease in orchardgrass. Resistance to these varies among
cultivars. Japanese and green June beetle larvae feed on orchardgrass
roots; sawflies feed on their tops. Little is known, however, about the
economic loss caused by these insects.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Latar' has a lower lignin (fiber) content than other orchardgrass
cultivars and is 10% higher in digestibility. It matures 10 to 14 days
later than common orchardgrass and is usually in the pre-bloom stage
when alfalfa is at the optimum growth stage for making hay. Therefore a
mixture of 'Latar' and alfalfa makes a high quality hay. Forage yields
of 'Latar' are at least as much per acre as the earlier maturing
varieties and forage quality is generally superior.

'Potomac' is a productive, persistent, rust-resistant cultivar that
produces good yields but matures too early to be compatible with alfalfa
for hay. When alfalfa is ready to cut, 'Potomac' is too mature to
produce good quality hay. This variety should be used where early
maturity is needed.

'Paiute' is a cultivar that produces an abundance of basal leaves and
leafy upright stems. It's intended use is for forage production on arid
rangelands.

'Akaroa', 'Berber', 'Pomar', and 'Sandia' are other orchardgrass
cultivars. Many cultivars are available for forage production.

Seeds are available from most commercial seed suppliers.

##### Control {#control .Header-3}

Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county
weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it
safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control
method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to
provide specific information. USDA, NRCS does not guarantee or warranty
the products and control methods named, and other products may be
equally effective.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

Tony Bush

USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center

East Lansing, Michigan

##### Edited: 10Aug2000 JLK; 25may06jsp {#edited-10aug2000-jlk-25may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
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*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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