Jeff Moyer has provided us with some good info as it is time to get that clover down as we have cold nights and it warms during the day to “heave” the seed into the ground, self-planted if you will.

Taken from New Farm Online Posted March 15, 2007

http://www.newfarm.org/columns/jeff_moyer/ask/2007/0307/0315_2.shtml

Dear Jeff,

We are renovating a pasture and would like to frost seed. Last year we successfully frost seeded clover. Are there any other legumes, or any grasses, that can be frost seeded?

Thank you
Bill Anderson
Pennsylvania

 

Dear Bill,

Thanks for the question on frost seeding. The idea of frost seeding is to get your seed out onto the soil as early as possible following snow melt. Once the seed is on the ground, the freezing and thawing action that takes place near the soil surface this time of the year, (when the sun thaws the surface during the day and at night it refreezes), actually pulls the seed into the cracks and crevices that appear.

Given that theory, any seed that can tolerate cold temperatures could be frost seeded. We frost seed alfalfa, orchard grass, brassicas, oats, field peas, etc. We tend to frost seed these crops into existing crops like fall-planted wheat or what you suggest, pasture renovation. There may be many other crops that will work in a particular area or region. Figure out what you need in your mix, knowing that any cold-tolerant crop will work, that is, any crop you would normally want to plant first thing in spring.

Good luck,
Jeff

 

 

Vicki Morrone

Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist

Michigan State University

C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems

303 Natural Resources Bldg.

East Lansing, MI 48824

517-353-3542

517-282-3557 (cell)

517-353-3834 (fax)

http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/

http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/