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Orchard Grass Seed
produces a perennial, cool season, irregular sodding grass with a dense root system that does not have rhizomes or stolons, and spreads by tillering. It retains a high level of
nitrogen and grows from one to four feet in height.
Orchardgrass is NOT an original native to the United States, it has been around so long that many people call it a native grass of the US. In reality, orchardgrass was imported to the USA
from Europe in the late 1700's.
Uses for Orchard Grass
A highly productive grass for grazing, hay production orchard grass is also very palatable to livestock and deer. Orchard grass can be used as an ornamental grass, pasture grass and
in wildlife food plots.
Orchard Grass seed is easy to establish with the planting of legumes and other food sources and can be grown in the shadier areas where some other grasses won’t grow. As a
forage grass it is highly edible and helps to provide protein in the diet of the four footed species. It also produces seeds which are eaten by many birds and smaller animals. The growth
provides covering from predators and nesting areas. With the addition of a legume such as clover it is an added perennial that will need only fertilizer added occasionally to improve
growth. It is a bunch type grass
Thus orchard grass has uses in the pasture as well as
in wildlife food plots as deer will graze it, turkey and other birds will feed off the seeds and insects that thrive in this type of grass. Orchard grass also makes a great cover for game
birds such as quail and pheasants.
The color of the leaves of orchard grass ranges from green to bluish - green and is it one of the few grasses that grow well under trees. Orchard grass can be used as an ornamental
grass or as a groundcover for shady areas. As you can seed in the picture above, the blooms on orchard grass are also quite attractive.
General Orchard Grass Planting Information
Below you will find generalized information about planting and establishing Orchard Grass seed. See orchard grass seed information at
Seedland.com for specific
brands and their details.
ADAPTATION: Northeastern USA and central USA into British Columbia with high rainfall (app. 20 in. yearly) and irrigated lands. Adapted for well drained soils and grows well under trees. Hence the name orchard grass.
USAGE: Pastures, silage, hay, and green chop manures, and valued in manure recycling systems.
PREPARATION: Soil testing, with the application of the nutrients needed. It requires a pH between 5.8-7.0. Properly cultivated, packed and with loose soil on top and to depth of ½ in. if planted ¼ in. if with legumes.
SEEDING RATE: Drilled 3-5lb/a or broadcast at 15-20lb/a depending on watering and planned usage; For best results packing should follow broadcasting of seed.
WATERING: Prefers a lot of water whether rainfall or irrigation.
MAINTENANCE: For pastures the rotational system must be employed to promote consistent growth. Orchard grass should not be grazed lower than 2 inches.
FERTILIZATION: Planted alone for pasturage 40-60 lbs. N per acre three times a year and for haying, silage, and green chop higher levels of N at the rate of 200-300 per acre per year. If planted with legumes lower N to under 50 LB/a at any one application.
Summer application of nitrogen is not advised.
ESTABLISHMENT: The cultivation of a spring or late summer pasture or wildlife food plot depends upon the wet or dry conditions, temperatures and primarily the soil in your area.
Plant orchard grass in the Fall or Spring, not during the Summer months.
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Orchard Grass Varieties At Seedland.com
Seedland is dedicated to providing the best in native grass seed for pasture, ornamental or bio-fuel uses. We carry certified orchard grass seed
varieties Potomac™ and the exciting new Persist™ Brand at our online store Seedland.com.
For more information on planting orchard grass seed for pastures please visit our informational website www.farmseeds.com
and see our section on certified orchard grass seed at
Seedland.com.
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