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4 MRCS Helping People Help the Land Seeding Date Seedbed Seed Placement e Seed Quality Weed Control Five Keys to Successful Grass Seeding Establishing a stand of grass requires proper planning and attention to detail. Perennial grasses differ in establishment requirements compared to annual grain crops. Five keys to successful grass seeding and establishment are presented in the following narrative. Adhering to these guidelines will greatly improve your chances of a successful grass stand. Key #1 - Seeding Date Grasses should be seeded when soil moisture and temperature are optimum for germination. Grasses are designated either "cool" or "warm" season based on their growth cycle. Cool -season grasses can be planted when temperatures are cooler and day lengths shorter. Warm -season grasses need warmer temperatures and longer day lengths to grow. Following are recommended planting dates for cool - season and warm - season grasses in the Northern Great Plains. Key #2 - Seedbed Cool- Season Grasses Warm-Season Grasses Sp -ing Late spring (April -May) (mid May -late une) Late summer Late summer !s (July - August) NOT recommended Late 'all as a dormant planting Late falGdormant is (end of Octooer or later) NOT optimum A proper seedbed is firm and free of competing vegetation. Correct firmness is when an adult footprint is only slightly visible on the prepared bed prior to the seeding operation. The seedbed can be firmed, if needed, by pulling a commercial or homemade packer or roller. A firm seedbed is essential for proper seeding depth. A loose, fluffy bed will place seeds too deep for proper germination. Seed requiring light for germination will be hindered by a deep planting depth. Seed that germinates but does not have enough nutrient reserve for the shoot to reach the surface is also hindered by a deep planting depth. Most species should be planted at a shallow depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Larger seeds can be planted up to 1 inch deep. Most seedings are too deep if you cannot see a few seeds on the soil surface. Average Percent Emergence from Same Number of Viable Seed on Loam Soil Species Depth of Planting (inches) Optimum Depth 112 1 1112 2 2112 3 bromegrass 94 94 83 62 40 8 1/2-1 intermediate wheat grass 92 98 90 77 38 6 112 - 1 tall wheat grass 93 90 83 61 27 3 U2 - 1 reed canarygrass 76 73 67 54 37 9 1/2 - 1 crested wheat grass 87 79 44 6 0 0 1/2-1 western wheat grass 71 72 54 0 0 0 1/2-1 switch grass 75 65 45 0 0 0 1/2 - 1 big bluestem 65 59 38 0 0 0 112 -1 sideoats grama 62 39 0 0 0 0 1/2 blue grama 61 33 0 0 0 0 1/2 alfalfa 74 40 no data 7 no data 0 1/2 sweet clover 62 30 no data 4 no data 1 112 Note: Data on introduced grasses from Canada, Scientific Ag., 26:9 September 1946. Data on native grasses from SCS Nursery, Mandan, ND. June 1949. Data on legumes from University of Minnesota reproduced in the Journal of American Society of Agronomy. Grasses can be successfully seeded into a tilled or no- tilled seedbed, provided weeds are controlled and residue is managed prior to planting. Weeds compete with seedlings for moisture and light. Optimum control comes with several years of weed management prior to seeding. At seeding time, there should be no actively growing weeds. Weeds can be controlled with tillage and/or herbicides applied before or just after seeding. Like a weed, companion crops can compete with the seeded species for water and light. Unless erosion is a problem, companion crops are generally not recommended in grass seedings. Residue affects seeding depth and seed soil contact. Tillage, fire, and mowing can be used to manage residue prior to seeding. Tolerable residue amounts are dependent on seeding equipment to be used. Residue should be harrowed to spread extra chaff and straw. Late summer and dormant seedings are best planted into standing stubble.