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For hay, thin to 12-18" or less |
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Growing Guide
GROWING NOTES
Ryegrass is ideally sown in late summer or spring. However, do not delay too long in your planting, as sowing in mid to late August or later may not give young starts enough time go become stable for the oncoming winter.
Due to its susceptibility to drought, ryegrass is more popular in northern climates that do not see proloungued periods of heat and dryness. To ensure that growing starts have enough time to become stable before winter cold sets in, sow seeds six weeks or more prior to the first average frost of the fall. Prepare the bed for sowing a few weeks before sowing by amending soil with needed, and consistently adding moisture.
A well-prepared seedbed will help to promote higher quality ryegrass. This should be done 6 months or more prior to the expected planting date to ensure that added amendments have significant time to react with soil. The first step will be to test the pH of the soil with a tester, available at a farm or home & garden store. Ideally, the soil should have a pH between 6.0 to 7.0. Soil can be amended with lime (limestone) if needed to raise pH. Do not sow if pH is not 6.2 or higher. Amendment with organic fertilizers rich in nitrogen is recommended.
For grazing, ryegrass is best sown with legumes such as clover or alfalfa to provide a more balanced nutritional profile and to assist with nitrogen fixation.
Seeds should be sown approximately ¼-1/2" deep. Seeds sown deeper may not be able to break through the surface of the soil. Gently pack soil to ensure good seed to soil contact. Like most seeds, they require warmth and plenty of water to germinate. Do not start in arid or excessively dry locations or conditions. If sowing in fall, do not sow later than one month prior to the first average frost of the fall.
Ryegrass is sensitive to excessive heat and drought. Locations susceptible to these conditions will not support timothy and should be avoided. Timothy has shallow root structures and must receive consistent watering to flourish.
MAINTAINING
Check pH periodically, amending with lime as needed to maintain pH 6.0-7.0. Ryegrass is more tolerant of low pH levels than most other grasses, and can grow with pH as low as 5.0.
Ryegrass need plenty of water throughout the growing season. Additionally, it will produce better results with soil of medium fertility or better. If grown in the presence of a legume, it does not require fertilization with nitrogen. Otherwise, periodic fertilizing with nitrogen is recommended. This is most helpful when sowing, during the spring to promote growth, and right after harvests.
Care should be taken when grazing ryegrass. For newly established paddocks, grass should be allowed to reach heights of 10-12 inches before grazing. Waiting too long before grazing may compromise the taste and nutritional content. Like most other grasses, ryegrass is best-suited as part of a rotation of grazing, and typically requires around three weeks or more of growth between grazings. Subsequent grazings can be started once ryegrass is reaches heights of 2-3 inches. Ryegrass below 1.5 inches tall is not suitable for grazing, and should be avoided.
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