Renovating Pastures? Try Frost Seeding

摘要

Athens, Ohio (January 22, 2009)--Frost seeding is viewed as a low-cost method for livestock producers looking to renovate pastures while increasing yields and improving quality with little commercial nitrogen. Frost seeding involves broadcasting a grass or legume seed over a pasture and letting the natural freeze/thaw cycles of late winter and early spring move the seed into good contact with the soil. The best time to frost seed is usually from mid-February to the end of March. "A basic requirementfor frost seeding success is to make sure that the sod cover has been opened up, and that there is not much growth present to prevent the seed from coming into contact with bare soil," said Rory Lewandowski, an Ohio State University Extension educator for Athens County. "Generally, a pasture is prepared for frost seeding by grazing it down hard, although some light tillage or a close mowing could also be used."