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When to Plant Bromegrass?

Bromegrasses are hardy, fast-growing members of the Bromus genus, one of the largest in the grass family. There are several hundred species of bromegrass, all of which have cool-season growth habits. Most cultivars are drought and heat tolerant, with deep, sod-forming roots and relatively long life spans. Its high adaptability and fast-spreading habit means it can become invasive in some areas, and it is viewed as a weed across much of the western half of the U.S. Although their appearance makes them unsuitable for ornamental use, bromegrasses have a wide variety of agricultural applications.

  1. Uses

    • Bromegrasses are the most widely cultivated cool-season grasses in North America, typically used for hay or pasture. Their high yield and tall, leafy growth make them ideal candidates for haying, especially when mixed with alfafa, which adds nitrogen to the soil and acts as a natural fertilizer. Bromegrass also does well when grown for forage, although care must be taken to ensure light grazing early in the growth season, and production will be highest if the grass is allowed to grow for approximately 1 month between periods of grazing.

    Planting Dates

    • Bromegrasses are best planted in early spring or late summer, depending on the variety. It can be planted via seed broadcast or drilling, although drilling is the preferred method, as it guarantees a more even planting depth. Bromegrass seeds should be planted ¼ to ½ inch deep if drilled, or covered with a light layer of soil if broadcast. Planting sites should be firm and moist, with soil pH between 6 and 7, although bromegrass can tolerate some variation outside this range. Seed should be applied at the rate of 12 to 16 lbs. per acre.

    Habitat

    • Bromegrass has been adapted to a wide range of climates, although it does best in moist, fertile soil. It can grow in soil ranging from light sand to thick loam and has been successfully established at altitudes up to 9,000 feet in both dry and irrigated settings. Although bromegrass can go dormant to last out hot summers and droughts, it prefers climates with at least 14 inches of annual rainfall. It can withstand cold winter weather and short periods of flooding.

    Limitations and Drawbacks

    • Its rapid growth and general hardiness can make it difficult to eradicate once established, and it is treated as a weed in many areas. Bromegrass that escapes cultivation can rapidly outcompete native grasses and plants. Since most of its growth takes place in spring and summer, it can be easily overgrazed in other seasons, during periods of slow growth. Its upright growth habit later in the season puts the growing tips of the grass in easy range of livestock. Its narrow, elongated seed shape can also make it difficult to plant with most mechanized seeding equipment.

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Lawn Planting
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