Grassing slopes
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s219
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What kind of seed are you putting down?
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danceswithdirt
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A mix of rye, bermuda, and fescue.
dieselscout80
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I've wanted to know how bermuda and fescue did when planted together it seems like it would be the best of both for grazing unless it depleted the soil of nutrients too fast.
s219
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I'd be curious to see how they do as well.
Around here, they can co-exist in alternating shady/sunny areas or in spring and fall. In full sun of the summer, the Bermuda will compete out the fescue in no time. It can help to let the fescue grow tall and shade out the Bermuda, but most folks mow.
dieselscout80
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Note: I want the Bermuda/Fescue mix in pastures if I try it. Will the Fescue come back in the fall/winter since it's a cool season grass?
s219
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I have seen fescue come back in areas where the topsoil is really good and deep (at least 6-8"). But if it's got thin cover over clay, generally the fescue can't ever root deep enough to come back from dormancy.
dieselscout80
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I don't understand your statement. I have fescue on clay and it comes back from dormancy every year.
My interest is just mixing them.
I have wondered if Bermuda and Perennial Ryegrass would be a better mix for year around grazing.
s219
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We do overseed bermuda with annual rye here, for winter coverage, and it works well.
As far as fescue, for it to go dormant, it needs an established root system. There are soil conditions that prevent that in this area, so it needs irrigation to limp through the summer. Otherwise, it will die rather than go dormant.
CompactTractorFan
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Nice pics!
What attachment do you use to get better contact after you spread the seed?
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danceswithdirt
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Usually use a chain harrow turned to the smooth side but wth so many steep sections of the slope it will slide down under the wheels so these we didnt drag over. The bermuda will take over the fescue and rye but this is for erosion control not grazing. Few more pics I got downloaded. Grass is starting to come up.
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jinman
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What you need is continuous light rain over 72 hours for perfect germination, but that isn't how it usually happens. Instead, it's a big downpour that washes seed down the hillside. Around here on big projects, they sometimes use wheat to get a quick germination and then seed in the permanent grass seeds. When things look as steep as they do in your photos, it's a sure sign that they are steeper than they look. It's hard to get anything to stay on the slopes unless you use hydromulch. Good luck with your project.
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danceswithdirt
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Yep the bigger slope is 2:1 at its steepest. The smaller one 2.5-3:1 so they can get pretty hairy. And like you said they are so steep if you get a heavy rain before they germinate you lose it all. Hydroseeding or blowing mulch helps. Hope these fully take before any downpour. I did put in some rye for a fast cover, it will burn up with the heat.
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