Growing Grass and Forb Seed
Brent Cornforth
Farm Manager
Aberdeen Plant Materials Center
Home Farm
Magnar
Sodar
Richfield
Clearwater
Bannock
Goldar
Snake River
Plains
Nezpar
Northern Cold
Desert
Appar
Anatone
Recovery
Maple Grove
Site Selection
Soil Type
Well Drained, Sandy Loams, Loams, Silt Loams
Slope
Moisture Regimes
Goal - Control
weeds and
provide a firm
seedbed allowing
for good seeding
depth control and
good seed-to-soil
contact
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

Fertility
Base on soil test
Add appropriate
nutrients


Phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur
critical for root development
Nitrogen
not recommended during establishment
unless soil test shows deficiency because
it encourages weeds
Foundation
990 Ft.
Registered
330 Ft.
Certified
165 Ft.
Planting dates


Non-Dormant
spring
(April – May)
late summer - early fall
generally Aug. 15 – Sept. 15
Dormant Planting
early winter - early spring
(Nov. 1 – April 15)
Seeding depth
Approximately 1/4- 3/4 inch
 Varies with:

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Species
Soil type
Soil moisture
Time of seeding
Firmness of
seedbed
30 PLS per linear foot
(< 500,000 seeds per pound)
50 PLS per linear foot
(> 500,000 seeds per pound)
Dryland Production
30 to 48 in.
Irrigated Production
12 to 36 in.
Planet Jr.
Improper planting depth
Soil crusting
Drought/poor irrigation practices
Weeds
Disease
Insects
Winter kill
clay.agr.okstate.edu
Water Requirements
Dryland
+16 in. precip.
Irrigated
20 to 24 in.
No Irrigation
Cultivation
Bronate
2-4-D
Clarity
Surflan
Outlook
Fusilade
Paramount
Roundup
Black grass bug
Green bug (aphid)
Thrips
Diseases
Head smut
Ergot
Silvertop
Harvest
Direct Combine
Windrowing
Good ol’ Days
Dry seed 10% to 12% moisture content
Drying Tubes
Residue Management
Fertilization
Firecracker Penstemon
Venus Penstemon
Hole
Jig
Seeding
Tube
Seed Cleaning
Vertical agitator
Bin dump
Pre-screen
Lift fan
Dust fan
Vibratory Conveyor
Scalper
Debearder
3 Screen Cleaner
Carter Disc
Indent Cleaner
Bushel Scale
Seed Popper
Obtaining Foundation Seed
Contact Your Crop
Improvement Association
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, c olor, national origin, sex,
religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases app ly to all programs.) Persons
with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, et c.) should contact
USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326 -W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Mr. Dan Ogle
Plant Materials Specialist
(208)685-8987
Dan.ogle@id.usda.gov