Interseeding: Iowa Fact Sheet | Iowa NRCS

http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/Interseeding.html[04/30/12 04:48:56 PM]

Iowa Home About Us News Programs Technical Resources Partnerships Features Contact Us

Search

Iowa for

News

Current Developments

Iowa NRCS News

National NRCS News

Iowa NRCS Publications

Iowa Conservation

Showcase

Find a Service Center

Interseeding: Iowa Fact Sheet

Why interseed?

Interseeding is a good way to improve existing stands of single species grasses on fields utilized

for pasture, wildlife, or idle land. Interseeding yields a mixture of grasses and legumes/forbs that

gives the fullest benefit for wildlife or forage for livestock.

Most plans which include introduced species call for a minimum of 50-70 percent introduced grass

and 30-50 percent legumes.

Native grass stands may need improving as well. This may be done by adding species of native

grasses and/or by including forbs or legumes in the mixture. Depending upon the purpose of

improving the native grass stand, either native forbs and legumes or introduced legumes may be

interseeded.

General rules

All seed should be of high quality and comply with Iowa seed and weed laws. Certified or Source

Identified seed is recommended. Legume seed quality should not drop below 70 percent Pure Live

Seed. Introduced legume seeds should be inoculated, with an innoculant specific to the legume

species.

Site preparation for interseeding, including mowing, spraying, and/or tillage to suppress or kill the

existing stand, should be done in the late summer before interseeding. Fields may be grazed heavily

to reduce competition for the new seedlings, prior to seedling emergence.

During the time it takes for the new seedlings to become established, weeds and existing cover

should be mowed or grazed to reduce competition. Native species may be mowed no closer than 8

inches and introduced species no closer than 4 inches. Herbicide use may be restricted due to

susceptibility of legumes/forbs to herbicides.
Interseeding: Iowa Fact Sheet | Iowa NRCS

http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/Interseeding.html[04/30/12 04:48:56 PM]

After a stand is established no disturbance should be done during the primary nesting season for

wildlife in areas where wildlife habitat is the primary or secondary purpose. The primary nesting

season in Iowa is May 15 through August 1.

Standard Evaluation

The current stand needs to be evaluated for weeds. If weeds such as Musk and Canada Thistle are

present at alevel that require a broadcast herbicide treatment this needs to be done to reduce weed

pressure to a manageable level prior to adding legumes.

Allow adequate time prior to seeding legumes so that a previous herbicide treatment does not

negatively impact new legume seedlings.

Seed selection

Select combinations of plant species and cultivars best adapted to site conditions. Specific

recommendations can be found in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV, Conservation

Cover or Pasture and Hayland Planting. Select forage species and varieties adapted to your specific

area and soil drainage class. Items to consider when selecting plant species:

Include several plant species in the seeding mixture to provide greater diversity within the

field, improve chances of seeding establishment across varying soil conditions, and increase

wildlife benefits.

If you have side hill seeps or areas that tend to be wet, do not use species such as alfalfa

that are intolerant to wetness. Select species more tolerant such as ladino clover.

If no soil test is taken and no soil amendment (lime) will be applied, select species that are

more tolerant of low pH values such as alsike clover, sweet clover, and ladino clover. Red

clover is somewhat tolerant of lower pH values.

Select species best suited for targeted wildlife species.

To ensure 30 percent of established stand in legumes, develop a seeding mixture that

consists of 50 percent seeding rate from legumes. See Tables 2 and 3 of the Field Office

Technical Guide, Section IV, Conservation Cover Standard 327.

For pasture and hayland plantings select compatible species when developing a mix. See the

Pasture and Hayland Planting (512) Standard in Table 7 for species compatibility. If seeding

Tall Fescue do not include any other grass because the livestock will normally not graze the

fescue as readily and will dominate. However legumes are encouraged to be interseeded in

Tall Fescue.

Weed control critical during establishment year

For successful seeding establishment, weeds must be controlled. To manage weed competition after

plants emerge, mow native species no closer than 8 inches and introduced species no closer than 4

inches. Herbicide use is restricted in introduced cool season grass/legume and native grass/forb

stands due to susceptibility of legumes/forbs to herbicides.

Choosing establishment methods

There are a variety of ways to establish legumes within existing grass stands, with benefits and
Interseeding: Iowa Fact Sheet | Iowa NRCS

http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/Interseeding.html[04/30/12 04:48:56 PM]

limitations to each. Success rates for different methods vary as well. It’s not a good idea to cut

corners if you’re trying to establish a good stand. Here are the pro’s, con’s, and tips for success for

the various methods.

Conventional seeding

The existing stand is totally destroyed through tillage, and new seeding is established by

broadcasting or drilling into a clean-tilled field.

-Pros

1. May incorporate nutrients and amendments such as lime.

2. Opportunity to destroy perennial weeds in current stand.

-Cons

1. Soil erosion increases greatly.

2. Erosion can wash new seedlings out or sediment can bury them.

3. Higher field preparation costs.

4. Weed competition can be greater especially from annual weeds.

5. Need a nurse crop for erosion control and to suppress weed competition.

6. More trips through the field resulting in more fuel use.

-Tips for success

1. Select sites at low risk for soil erosion.

2. For introduced grasses and legumes, lime and fertilize according to soil test results.

3. For introduced grasses and legumes, seed with a nurse crop at 1.5 bu/ac. of oats.

4. Drill or broadcast seed uniformly at 1⁄4 or 1⁄2 inch depth.

5. Roll seedbed to get good soil-toseed contact.

6. Mow to control weeds and destroy nurse crop before seed head stage.

7. Depending on program requirements, site may be harvested as grain and straw bale.

Dormant seeding

Seed is broadcast or drilled into existing or clean tilled soil after the growing season and before

freeze-up. The seed remains dormant until the following spring.
Interseeding: Iowa Fact Sheet | Iowa NRCS

http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/Interseeding.html[04/30/12 04:48:56 PM]

-Pros

1. Completed at time of year when labor is more available.

2. Establishment is usually more successful than frost seeding if seed is drilled.

3. Seedlings take advantage of early spring moisture.

4. Stand establishment has fair to good success.

5. Soil erosion is minimized.

-Cons

1. Seeding rate must be increased over other establishment rates if broadcast.

2. Mowing or grazing after seedlings emerge is critical to control competition.

-Tips for success

1. Reducing competition of the existing stand is important. This can be done chemically, by

mowing or heavy grazing (depending upon the program requirements) to reduce existing

stand vigor prior to establishing new seeding.

2. For introduced grasses and legumes, soil test according to ISU recommendation to the 6 inch

depth for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

3. Apply lime and fertilize according to soil test results.

Frost seeding

Broadcast seed on top of existing stands of introduced grass species in late winter (late January -

early March) when freezing and thawing help incorporate seed into the soil. All commonly grown

legumes can be seeded this way. Because of their greater seedling vigor, red clover, alsike clover,

and ladino clover are quicker to establish than alfalfa or birdsfoot trefoil.

-Pros

1. Does not require special drill.

2. Labor is more available in late winter.

3. Soil erosion minimized.

-Cons

1. Stand establishment is normally less successful, particularly in years with dry springs.

2. Seeding rate must be increased over other establishment rates.

3. Mowing or grazing is critical to control competition.
Interseeding: Iowa Fact Sheet | Iowa NRCS

http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/Interseeding.html[04/30/12 04:48:56 PM]

-Tips for success

1. This method is not recommended in heavy sod fields.

2. Recommended only where existing stand is weak and less than 50 percent of the ground is

covered with vegetation.

3. Use only small, smooth (shiny) seeded species for best incorporation into the soil during

freezing and thawing.

4. For introduced grasses and legumes, soil test according to ISU recommendation.

5. Apply lime and fertilize according to soil test results the year prior.

No-till (Interseeding into sod)

The new seeding is drilled into the existing sod. The sod may be suppressed or killed chemically, or

by mowing or grazing. No-till seeding may be done in the spring seeding period, late summer

seeding period, or for dormant seeding. Use approved herbicides and a drill designed for no-till

planting. Follow label for all herbicides used.

-Pros

1. Soil erosion is reduced by up to 90 percent.

2. Good uniform seedbed.

3. Good seed-to-soil contact, greater chance of successful stand.

4. Moisture is conserved for seedlings.

5. Mulch from old residue conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.

-Cons

1. Cost associated with suppressing or killing the stand chemically.

2. Moisture can be depleted in drought conditions if sod is not killed early.

3. New seedlings can be smothered if vigorous existing stand is not suppressed.

4. Weather affects chemical performance.

-Tips for success

1. Use a drill designed for no-till planting.

2. Critical to kill weeds and suppress existing stand.
Interseeding: Iowa Fact Sheet | Iowa NRCS

http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/news/factsheets/Interseeding.html[04/30/12 04:48:56 PM]

3. Mow previous vegetation shortly after August 1 to allow grass to re-grow and to ensure good

chemical contact.

4. Spray herbicide in fall before frost.

5. Depending upon program requirements, heavy grazing of the existing stand the previous fall

will help suppress competition.

6. For introduced grasses and legumes, soil test according to ISU recommendation.

7. Apply lime and fertilize according to soil test results.

No-till interseeding options

Strip burndown

Field trials show great success with this method. The goal is to kill narrow strips of existing

vegetation to provide an area free of competition for establishment of the legumes. A 15 degree

angle nozzle is used to apply chemicals to completely kill 10-inch strips of vegetation. The strips

should account for only 20-30 percent of the area– solid blocks or strips of burndown greater than 2

feet wide are not recommended.

Mowing for stand suppression of existing cover

Field trials show good success with this method, depending on weather conditions. Mowing before

direct seeding and again after seedlings emerge helps reduce plant competition. It is critical to keep

the grass competition down to allow new seedlings to become established.

Drilling places seeds in direct contact with the soil and is preferred over broadcasting. Time of

seeding is critical to ensure moisture. Early seeding dates work better than late seedings, especially

under drought conditions.

For more information

The Extension Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service have information on seeding

rates, suggested seeding dates by species, soil, site adaptations, and other considerations. Helpful

references include the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide and native grass seeding calculator. The

Field Office Technical Guide has specific recommendations for conservation cover, and pasture and

hayland planting, including species best suited for grazing, wildlife, moisture regime, and flowering

period. The seeding calculator is used to select species adapted to specific site conditions.

<Back to Iowa NRCS Publications

Back to Top Iowa NRCS Home | Site Map | Contact | Accessibility | NRCS | USDA