Frost/Dormant seeding legumes and grasses is an efficient way to improve pasture yields, increase your plants per square foot, or change the forage composition within the pasture.
The benefits of Frost/Dormant seeding over traditional forms of planting:
- Ability ro establish forage in an undisturbed sod bed
- Reduced need for labor and energy
- Minimum equipment investment
- Shortened "non-grazing" period
- Maintains stand productivity for both grasses and legumes
As with other planting methods, soil contact is essential for success. This can be achieved by mowing closely in the fall or winter, down to 2 inches, in order to open-up stands and expose soil. A controlled burn may also be used of existing vegetation. Sod-type grasses (bluegrass, brome) are the most difficult to frost seed, especially where a thick layer of thatch covers the soil surface. In these instances a limited amount of animal hoof action may be used to help "plant" the seed. Preferred species for festulolium, ryegrass, orchardgrass, ladino clover, white clover, alsike clover and red clover.
In the spring, it's important to reduce plant competition so new seedlings can develop adequate root systems. By grazing down or mowing to 2 inches in the fall, spring re-growth from established plants is slowed down, allowing the seedlings to take hold. As the new seedlings take hold, follow this routine to ensure strong root development and successful plant establishment:
- Allow plants to grow 6-8 inches in height
- Mow it back to a height to 3-4 inches (this encourages new plant tillers)
- Allow food plot to re-grow to 6-8 inches in height
- Mow it back to a height of 3-4 inches
- After second mowing, allow pasture to re-grow and either allow to grow for cover or continue mowing cycle