Grows best on deep, moist, fertile soils. It will withstand flooding by fresh or brackish water. Does well under shade, as in orchards, growing well under irrigation, it is not drought resistant. Cultivation Propagated by seed. As pasture, it is often seeded with Big trefoil or Ladino clover.
Growth starts early in spring and continues throughout the summer if moisture is sufficient.
It remains green in winter and will continue to make growth, provided the temperatures are not too low. The fluffy seeds make machine seeding difficult. Harvesting Hay of good quality may be harvested if cut early. Aftermath growth is good. Practically all domestic seed is harvested from naturalized stands in mountainous meadows of Oregon.