Orchard grass should be seeded in spring or late summer at a rate of about 2 to 5 pounds per acre with legumes, 8 to 12 pounds per acre when seeded alone. Do not graze or cut orchard grass until the fall of the second growing season so that it has a chance to become established. From that point on, orchard grass can be grazed whenever it reaches a height between 6 and 10 inches, leaving a residual of 3 to 4 inches.
Allow it to mature and produce seed every few years, however. Orchard grass grown for hay should be harvested in the spring in the boot stage, the point at which the plant switches from leaf and stem growth to seed head production.
Leave 4 to 5 inches of stubble behind. Let it rest 4 to 6 weeks before cutting again. The primary disadvantage of orchard grass is that it is invasive and competitive. It will readily take over pastures, hay fields, and lawns. In lawns, it is particularly undesirable because of its light-colored tufts, which are not typically considered attractive. The best way to remedy an orchard grass invasion is to prevent it in the first place. When seeding a pasture or hay field, use low rates of orchard grass and high rates of legume seeds to prevent the orchard grass from overrunning the place.
Make sure that the number on the label never reads higher than 0. Established orchard grass is nearly impossible to eradicate. Hand-pulling is the most effective way to battle it in lawns. Despite its variability, orchard grass is still fairly unique, particularly when in bloom. A familiarity with its idiosyncrasies should be all you need to identify it.
Pulling from nearly 20 years of experience, Michelle Lindsey started Homestead on the Range to help Kansans and others around flyover country achieve an abundant country lifestyle. Michelle is the author of four country living books. Let's Stay Connected. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. View our privacy policy. Thank you for your submission! Home Orchardgrass. Orchardgrass Dactylis glomerata L.
Table 1. Characteristics of perennial cool-season grasses in the Northeast. This will depend not only on species but also variety. Adapted Varieties Several varieties of orchardgrass have been tested and were high-yielding in Pennsylvania variety trials. Establishment Orchardgrass is usually easy to establish in either early spring or late summer.
Table 2. Seeding rates for timothy and a single legume in mixture. If orchardgrass or orchardgrass-legume mixtures are seeded with a small grain companion crop, removing the small grain at the boot stage minimizes competition with the forage seedlings and increases the chances of obtaining a good orchardgrass stand Harvest Management For highest quality and high yielding hay, orchardgrass should be harvested in spring during boot stage. Table 3. Yield and persistence of perennial cool-season grasses when the first harvest was taken at different stages of grass development and fertilized at two rates of N, averaged over three production years.
Management and Productivity of Perennial Grasses in the Northeast. West Virginia Agric. Prejoint High 3. Nutritional value of perennial cool-season grasses at first harvest. Stn Prejoint Table 5. Performance of cows and calves grazing orchardgrass and tall fescue during a three-year period.
Orchardgrass Tall fescue Adapted from V. Lechtenberg et. Calf performance Average daily gains, lb 1. Fertility Maintain soil pH between 6. Summary Orchardgrass is a bunch type grass which establishes rapidly and is suitable for pasture, hay, or silage. Prepared by Marvin H. Hall, associate professor of agronomy.
Very compatible with legumes. Growth Habitat: Cool season, perennial bunch growth habitat. It has slow establishment into a mature sod due to the development of a more extensive root system. Plant Characteristics: This is a tall bunch type grass.
It has a papery membrane where the leaf attaches to the main stem that tears as a plant heads out. Leaf blades are flat, have a smooth surface and rough edges, and are folded in a whorl. The leaf sheath is flat and usually smooth. Leaf collar is broad and divided. Stems grow upright and are smooth.
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