Saturday, November 1, 2014

COLD vs WARM SEASON FORAGES


The persistent cooler, wet spring across most of Michigan has delayed intended plantings and raises questions about whether it is “too late” for spring seedings.

It might seem logical to ignore the calendar, and assume all the ground moisture is going to guarantee germination.     That may be a safe assumption prior to June 1st—but as the soil warms, it will be less safe.    Seeds seem to germinate “in their season” which is why we name them “cold” or “warm” season forages, whether annuals or perennials.

If you had intended to do some alfalfa or alfalfa/grass spring seedings, the wiser course is starting to look like seeding a “warm season” summer annual, to make feed in this season and then put in your “cold season” forage seedings this fall.

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