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DORMANT SEASON PLANTING A VIABLE OPTION
Dormant season planting is a viable option in establishing native warm
season grasses; if springs are generally too wet for reliable planning; you are overly concerned about dormant seed; your schedule is just too hectic in the spring; or you're so excited about getting started you just can't wait, then dormant season planting may be for you. In order for your fall planting to be successful, there are several things that need to be considered: timing of the planting, cover crops, and planting rates.
TIMING CRITICAL
Timing is probably the most critical factor in a dormant season planting. Plant too early and native seeds will germinate only to be killed by winter weather before a strong root system can be established and enough carbohydrates stored within that root system for growth initiation the following spring. Native warm season seeds should be planted after there is any chance of them germinating. Wait until soils have cooled to below 55 degrees.
USE A COVER CROP
Cover crops are necessary for dormant season plantings to provide erosion control and help protect the seeds in the soil. Wheat and oats are both good but both have their advantages and disadvantages. Oats will germinate in the fall but many times, if timed properly for a dormant season native grass planting, do not have an opportunity to obtain much growth before they are winter killed, therefore not providing the best protection over the winter. The advantage is that you don't have to worry about competition from the oats the next spring. Winter wheat on the other hand continues to grow throughout the winter during any warm-ups. It provides good cover but can also compete against the newly emerging seedlings in spring and later shade out seedlings. All things considered, I prefer wheat. The secret is to plant a lower rate than you would for a wheat crop. Forty to sixty pounds per acre is recommended. Another helpful tool is to mow the wheat at or before it is in the boot stage. This not only helps to open the canopy it also thwarts volunteer wheat. An oat cover crop should be planted at 1 to 1 1/2 bushels per acre.
NOTE: Mix grasses and forbs with wheat or oats to broadcast plant chaffy prairie grasses.
PLANTING RATE IMPORTANT
The advantages of dormant season planting are that the cool moist soil conditions over the winter help to break dormancy in the seed and the seeds are in place to take advantage of growing conditions as soon as they are favorable, hoping to get a jump start in the spring. One disadvantage is that some seed can be lost during the winter to erosion, insects and just plain rotting. To compensate for seed lost, increase planting rates by 25%. Broadcast rates should be increased an additional 25%.
Dormant season planting rates in PLS pounds per acre.
Forage Wildlife
Big bluestem, Indiangrass, Little bluestem, Sideoats grama (in a mix) 10 - 12.5 7.5 - 10
Switchgrass 7.5 - 10 5 - 7.5
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