Seed Planting Guide
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 1:20PM
Crimson Clover
A cool, season re-seeding annual legume. Plants have dark green leaves covered with hairs, and grow 1 to 3 feet tall. Crimson gets its name for the long heads with brilliant crimson flowers, which matures in May. It is one of the best clovers for cold tolerant production in late winter and early spring. Crimson is usually planted in the fall with small grains and ryegrass for wildlife food plots.
Seed Rate: 20 to 30 lbs/acre
Red Clover
A cool, season perennial legume. A very economical and high yielding, clover to plant. It is well suited for wildlife plots, hay, and grazing with tall fescue, orchard grass, timothy, and dalais grass. Red Clover produces during a long growing season high quality forage. It does not however tolerate continuous close grazing over long periods of time and need over seeding/ reseeding every 2 to 3 years.
Seed Rate: 4 to 6 lbs/acre
White or Ladino Clover
Both are cool season perennial legumes. Ladino is commonly called “giant white” clover. It has very leafy plants that grow tall producing very high quality forage for grazing or hay. Ladino grows well in association with cool season perennial grasses and helps produce nitrogen that makes them thrive. Ladino is excellent for wildlife plots especially deer for rack development and nutrition.
Seed Rate: Ladino- 2 to 3 lbs/acre White Dutch- 4 to 6 lbs/acre
Winter Peas
A winter, annual legume. This plant is very vinery with stems 2 to 4 feet long. High, nutrition quality. Farmers use this annual for silage or green manure. Wildlife loves this plant and is usually included in some “special” plot mixes along with small grains and or ryegrass. Seed Plant: 30 to 40 lbs/acre
Crabgrass- Red River
A warm season annual grass. This new selection was made by had harvesting a single plant observed to have outstanding growth in the Red River Valley, Oklahoma. Crabgrass has creeping type growth and grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Although crabgrass is considered a major weed problem; because of this persistence, it is useful for pasture and hay. The nutritive quality is better than most perennial warm season grasses and when fertilized cattle love it. It will reseed itself if no cuttings are made at least 4 weeks prior to killing frost. Plant in late spring. Seed Rate: 4 to 6 lbs/acre
Dallisgrass
A warm season perennial grass. Dallis grass is a long-lived, deep-rooted, bunchgrass which grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is very leafy. Palatable and highly nutritious, Dallis grass provide is excellent forage for all classes of livestock and wildlife. Seed germination is low and establishment is slow. Seed is best planted late February then mid May and when moisture and temperature are favorable you will slowly begin to get a stand. Seed Rate: 15 lbs of pure live seed /acre
Johnson grass
A perennial warm season grass that was named after Colonel William Johnson who plated the seed on the black soils of central Alabama in 1840. It soon became a popular forage grass because it was so durable and spread so easily. Unfortunately these “qualities” also had made it one of the worst weed problems in the south. Best used for hay, but can be grazed with good management. Plant in late April, cut hay at early heading, responds well to nitrogen. Seed Rate: 20 to 30 lbs/acre
Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue
A hardy, cool season, perennial grass that is one of the most drought tolerant and widely grown grasses in the USA. Seed Rate: Pasture -- 25 to 35 lbs. /acre. Lawn - 200 to 250 lbs. /acre. Plant Sept. 1st thru Dec. 1st and Feb. 1st thru April 1st.
Orchard Grass
A cool season perennial grass. Orchard grass is used for pasture, hay and silage, and when grown in combination with legumes, (red clover, ladino white clovers, and lespedeza) it produces an abundance of quality forage. Orchard grass requires good management since it is less competitive than tall fescue. Close continuous grazing will weaken stands. Great quality for horses, cattle and all wildlife. Seed Rate: 15 to 25 lbs. /acre. Plant Sept 1st thru Nov. 15th and Feb. 1st thru April 1st.
Kentucky Blue Grass
A long-lived, sod-forming, cool-season perennial grass that reproduces by seed, and spreads vegetative by underground solons. Kentucky Blue grass is one of the prettiest lawns and is used by homeowners in shady areas or on latitude of south Tennessee-north. Seed Rate: Lawns 4 lbs. /1000 square feet. Plant anytime from early fall until early spring.
Ryegrass - Gulf Annual
An annual cool season grass. Mainly used for over seeding pasture, hay fields, lawns, athletic fields, and wildlife plots. High nutritive quality. Ryegrass offers easy over seeding to get a good stand very quick. Green and growing during cool weather, production slows in June, and however, it may maintain its stand during summer with adequate moisture. Seed Rate: Pastures 25 to 35 lbs. /acre. Lawns and Turf 8 lbs. /1000 square feet.
Timothy Grass
A perennial cool season grass. A vigorous early maturing grass good for hay and mixed with other perennial grasses and clovers. Timothy is great for horses, livestock, and wildlife. It matures about the same time that red clover and alfalfa are in the correct stage for the first hay cut.
Seed Rate: 15 lbs. /acre. Best planted in the fall.
Bahia Grass
A warm season perennial grass. Bahia grass reproduces by seed and spreads vegetative by short, heavy runners. It forms a dense, tough sod even on droughty, sandy soils. It is very aggressive and deep rooted. Major uses are pasture, hay erosion control, lawns and turf, and wildlife plots. Production is from April through October. Seed Rate: 20 to 25 lbs. /acre for pasture, hay and wildlife. Plant 8 lbs. /1000 square feet for lawns and turf.
Bermuda grass
Bermuda grass is the plant most used for pasture, hay, athletic fields, and lawns in the south. It is a hardy perennial warm season grass, which grows from frost to frost and is dormant in winter. Bermuda grass spreads by rhizomes, solons, and (in some types) by seed. It is highly responsive to nitrogen. Potassium is important for survival and production. Plant hulled seed for quicker germination and growth anytime when danger of frost is past. Seed Rate: 10 to 15 lbs. /acre pasture. 2 to 4 lbs. /1000 square feet lawns and athletic fields.
Brown Top Millet
A warm season annual used in the summer for hay, grazing, and wildlife. It makes an abundance of seed which is attractive to dove, quail, and if flooded, ducks. Hay quality is good since it is leafy and fine-stemmed. Responsive to nitrogen, very tolerant to soil acidity. Hay should be cut at heading for best quality. Seed Rate: Drill 20-25 lbs. /acre broadcast 30 to 35 lbs. /acre.
Foxtail Millet
A warm season annual which grows 2 to 5 feet tall. It has slender erect stems, with broad flat leaves, 8 to 16 inches long. Use is mainly for hay and wildlife since its seed is very good for dove, quail, and ducks. Foxtail is ready to harvest in 60 to 70 days; therefore it can be planted in late June and harvested in Sept. leaving lots of seed for birds. Planted mostly with soybeans for hay. Seed Rate: 20 to 30 lbs. /acre alone; 15lbs. /acre with soybeans.
Hybrid Pearl Millet
A warm season annual that will grow 6 to 10 feet high. It has a coarse stem that makes it difficult to make hay but has very high nutritive value. Leaves are about 1 inch wide 2 to 3 feet long and quite numerous. It has extreme rapid re-growth, which makes it very desirable for grazing. Tests have shown that if pearl millet is planted in rows, livestock will actually walk between the plants to allow re-growth. Seed Rate: 15 to 30 lbs./acre.
Sorghum X Sudan grass
Summer grazer III
A warm season annual planted for hay, pasture, and silage. High quality if harvested at immature stage, (30 to 40 inches tall). Planting may begin very early in the spring and will usually yield 3 to 4 cuttings per year. To get smaller stems and better quality hay, plant thicker stands. Re-growth comes on sucker plants from original growth; therefore, it is best to cut high as possible and control traffic in the field. Very responsive to nitrogen; for high yields apply 30 to 40 units of “N” between cuttings. Seed Rate: 40 to 60 lbs. /acre.
Lespedeza-Kobe or Korean
A warm season annual legume both Kobe and Korean Lespedeza are fine-stemmed, leafy, and have shallow taproots. Even though striate (Kobe) and Korean are both annuals they re-seed very easily. Kobe will grow 2 to 2 ½ feet tall and produce slightly more hay tonnage. Korean however is the earliest grazing lespedeza in the spring. Korean has finer hay and is generally preferred for wildlife (Dove, Quail, etc) because it is a heavy seed producer. Korean seed begins to ripen in August. Major uses are for pasture, hay and even erosion control. High nutritive quality, furnishing excellent quality pasture, or for wildlife food plot in late summer. Grows well on low pH soils and is very drought tolerant. Seed Rate: 25 to 35 lbs. /acre planted Feb. thru May.
Sericea Lespedeza
A warm season perennial legume, once planted, it comes back each spring from the crowns like alfalfa and is often called “The Poor Land Alfalfa.” Sericea has an enormous root system with roots going up to 4 feet deep, which makes it very drought tolerant. Sericea grows well on low-fertility soils where most other legumes do not thrive. It grows up to 40 inches tall with fine stems and has many small leaves, which are very desirable for hay. Plant scarified (hulled) seed in the spring. Stop grazing and /or hay cutting at least 4 weeks before the first killing frost in order to build up food reserves in the roots. Seed Rate: 25 to 30 lbs. /acre.
Alfalfa
A cool season perennial legume. Erect-growing with many leafy stems arising from large crowns at the soil surface. Alfalfa has a long tap- root, which makes it drought tolerant. It is very sensitive to low pH and the soil should be limed prior to establishment to a pH of 6.5 or greater. Potassium, phosphorus, boron and sulfur are the nutrients, which usually need to be applied in order to obtain good alfalfa production. Annual soil testing usually indicates the need for potassium and maintaining the soil pH with lime. Always plant inoculated seed, on a firm seedbed in early fall or Feb. thru April. Since Alfalfa is a legume the inoculation (bacteria) will help the plant to fix or change atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form and nitrogen fertilizer is not needed. Good Alfalfa hay, pasture, and wildlife plots, have high nutritive value and is in high demand, particularly for horses, dairy cattle, and wildlife. Seed Rate: 20 to 25 lbs. /acre.
Native Grasses
Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, Switch grass
All are perennial warm season bunchgrasses that are spread by Rhizomes, and/or stolens, and /or seeds. These three are true native grasses from the plains, and are adapted more to the northwestern areas of the southeast and beyond. All three are heat and drought tolerant, have slow seeding establishment, and grow 3 to 6 feet tall. Big bluestem remains palatable and nutritious over a longer time than switch grass. Indian grass has better nutritive quality than most perennial grasses. Switch grass develops stems several weeks earlier then other warm season grasses and must be stocked heavily then rotated in 4 to 6 weeks. All three are very responsive to nitrogen and will not tolerate close, continuous stocking/grazing. Seed Rate: Big Bluestem and Indian grass- 6 to 12 lbs of pure live seed /acre. Switch grass- 6 to 8 lbs of pure live seed /acre
W.G.F.
Wildlife Game Food
A warm season annual grass that continues to gain popularity in the southeast for wildlife plots. A very economical, open-pollinated, grain/forage type of sorghum that grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Deer and other wildlife graze on fertilized, nutritious forage during the summer. A valuable source of winter food for quail, doves, ducks, geese, turkey, deer, and other wildlife. A short, fast maturing sorghum, which will produce seed in 90 days. Plant April thru mid July. Seed Rate: 10 to 20 lbs/acre
Advantage Ladino Clover
A cool season perennial legume. Advantage is a new release by Dr. Wiley Johnson, Auburn University retired. Dr. Johnson who was the developer of Regal utilized many of Regals outstanding criteria in this breeding. Some of the traits include early vigor, growth habit, stand persistence, winter hardiness, and outstanding forage yield. It continues to produce after four years of production while other Ladino’s disappeared. The seed is coated and ready to plant. Seed Rate: 2 to 3 lbs/acre
Red Gold Clover
A cool season perennial legume. A new medium red clover that produces superior forage yields to Ken land red and other medium red clovers. Red Gold has exhibited strong, aggressive seeding vigor even when grown in cold, wet soils. It has resistance to powdery mildew and northern anthracnose. We have sold Red Gold Clover since 1999 and customers now ask for it by name. Stands seem to persist longer than other Red Clovers. Seed Rate: 4 to 6 lbs/acre
Soybeans
A warm season annual legume. Soybeans origin is China where they are believed to have existed for millions of years. Many varieties with different growth habits, maturities, disease resistance, and now biotechnology have been developed. Soybeans produce oil and meal, which are essentially one of the world’s most important crops. To produce good yields soybeans need, well drained soil, good pH, and medium to high soil fertility. For wildlife the forage will be high quality, but short season because no re-growth with occur. Deer love the forage and the seed, which promotes rack development and size.
Laredo Soybean
Laredo is the standard hay/forage soybean. We continue each year to produce and market this original because of its tremendous growth and tonnage. Seeds are small, black, and very hard and some will “volunteer” back the next year. Deer and other wildlife love the forage and the seed, which is rich in protein for rack development. Farmers like the vinery growth of nutritious forage for hay. The seed yield is low because of the heavy forage yield so the seed cost more than regular soybean seeds, but are small and will go a long way. Seed Rate: 50 to 70 lbs/acre
Hutcheson Soybean
A high yielding conventional group V (medium) maturity. Plants are medium height. It has bushy, leafy plants that produce top yields planted in rows, drilled, conventional, or no till. Hutcheson was released by Virginia Experiment station that receives a royalty of 20 cents per bag, and is sold only as a class of certified seed. The plant produces white flowers, gray pubescence and buff hilum seed, which can be large. Hutcheson is resistant to many viruses and stem canker. Hutcheson is the standard other conventional soybeans are gauged by and is very popular with farmers and for wildlife. Seed Rate: 40 to 65 lbs/acre for seed, 75 to 100 lbs/acre forage and hay
Stonewell Soybean
A conventional group VII maturity that produces lots of forage, has high yield potential, good lodging resistance, and is medium height. The plant produces white flowers, tawny pubescence, and tan pod walls. Seeds are large and yellow with a dull seed coat and black hilum. Stonewall has resistance to race 3 cyst nematode, stem canker, frogeye leaf spot, and tolerance to lance nematode and phytophthora root rot. Very good for wildlife. Seed Rate: 40 to 65 lbs/acre for seed, 75 to 100 lbs/acre for forage and hay
USG 7489RR Soybean
UniSouth Genetics 7489 is a roundup ready® late group IV with purple flowers, light tawny pubescence, and black hilum. This variety consistently yields in the top in all areas where it is grown. 7489RR is resistant to SDS, stem canker, lodging, and shattering. We have been very successful in producing high yields both full season and double crop. Seed Rate: 40 to 65 lbs/acre
USG 7547RR Soybean
UniSouth Genetics 7457 is a roundup ready® mid group V. It is an excellent yielding variety with purple flowers, gray pubescence, and imperfect black hilum with resistance to stem canker. It is a determinate variety, that resist lodging and has good shatter resistance. Seed Rate: 40 to 65 lbs/acre.
Cheyenne Bermuda grass
A warm season perennial that has good cold tolerance and is adapted to the lower 1/3 of the U.S. We continue to receive good reports of high yields up to the north border of Tennessee. Cheyenne offers an economical alternative to sprigging and produces a dense sod that recovers rapidity after cutting or grazing. Hay yields in university trials are consistently over 8 ton/acre, with protein levels from 9 to 13%. Plant coated seed on a firm seedbed in late spring to early summer. Seed Rate: 10 lbs/acre drilled or 15 lbs/acre broadcast
Wrangler Bermuda grass
A warm season perennial grass developed in Oklahoma using breeding lines licensed by Oklahoma State University. Wrangler is a high yielding seeded Bermuda grass with performance similar to Tifton 44. It is an excellent choice for pasture, or hay, in areas of south Kentucky and where winterkill of common Bermuda grass is a problem. Plant when soil temperatures reach 65º F in the spring on a firm seedbed. Wrangler was selected for its cold tolerance and vigorous growth habit. It establishes rapidly and will provide cover in 45 to 60 days. Seed Rate: 8 to 12 lbs/acre
Ranchero Frio Bermuda grass
A warm season perennial grass blend of three Bermuda grass varieties: Cheyenne, Mohawk, and Giant. It was developed as a high quality seeded variety with cold tolerance sufficient to survive severe winters in the northern transition zone south of Kentucky. It produces high yields of exceptional forage quality with a dense turf that covers very quickly. Ranchero Frio blend is an economical alternative to sprigging. Pant in late spring or early summer on a firm seedbed. Seed Rate: 10 to 14 lbs/acre
Southern Supreme Turf Lawn Fescue
A mixture of premium turf-type fescues, that thrives in bright sun or partial shade. This high quality weed free mixture provides a dense turf of dark green moderately fine leaf texture and shorter growth for less mowing and a groomed appearance. Good resistance to brown patch, net blotch and pythium, Southern Supreme has good heat and drought tolerance and recovers fast from injury. Before preparation check the soils pH (ideally 6.0 to 6.5). If you do not know apply lime. Be sure to provide good seed to soil contact. Improve germination by slightly covering the seed. Straw always increases germination time by keeping the soil moist, and provides a quicker stand with less water. In the fall it is okay to fertilize prior planting. However, in the spring wait until you get a stand due to annual spring weeds. Begin mowing high and adjust down to 2” to 2 ½”. Due to repeat customer demand and personal experience this is the only turf fescue we sell. Seed Rate: 6 to 8 lbs/1000 sq. ft.
RYEGRASS-PERENNIAL TURFTYPE
SUNRISE PRIMO RYEGRASS
A turf blend of three perennial ryegrasses that provide an exceptional turf grass for lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, or over seeding of warm season grasses such as Bermuda grass, 202IA, etc. Sunrise may be planted anytime from early Fall through late spring. However, most plantings are done in September and October to establish a beautiful/on growing turf that will be green during the winter months. We sell sunrise to athletic fields, home lawns, and golf courses. Customers ask for it by name. Seed Rate: 7 lbs. /1000 square feet for lawns, athletic fields and fairways - 25/65/1000 sq. feet for greens.
BERMUDAGRASS-TURF
SAHARA TURF BERMUDA GRASS
A turf type seeded Bermuda grass. Sahara was the first improved seed propagated variety developed exclusively for turf. It has medium for texture with dark green color and excellent drought tolerance. Sahara has more dense turf and lower growth than common. It is ideal for home owners and is often mixed 50/50 with Yuma Bermuda grass to combine the unique characteristics of both. Seed Rate: 2-3 lbs/1000 square feet.
BERMUDAGRASS-TURF
YUMA TURF BERMUDAGRASS
A turf type seeded Bermuda grass. Yuma’s turf exceeds common Bermuda because of its growth habit and greater concentration of leaves on each growth stem. These leaves attach to the stem at a 46 degree angle composed to common which grown almost parallel to the stem or stolon. This 45 degree angle holds a golf ball up and doesn’t allow it to bury on the turf. Yuma has great cold and heat tolerances. It will go dormant 2 weeks later than common in the fall, and will green up 2 weeks earlier for the spring. Plant anytime when soil temperature reaches 70 degrees - usually mixed 50/50 with Sahara to combine desirable traits of both. Seed Rate: 2 to 3 lbs. /1000 square feet.
FUNGUS FREE FESCUE
ORYGON
A Cool season perennial grass. Orygon is an entophyte (fungus) free tall fescue produced in Oregon and is recommended for the traditional tall fescue belt. Seasonal forage productivity will be similar to that of KY31. Orygon will produce high quality grazing has hay crops for all classes of grazing livestock and wildlife. Fescue Toxicity in livestock is caused by fungal entophyte (lives within the plant) found in most tall fescue plants which produce toxic compounds. Serious losses due to reduced beef cow conception rates, calf weaning weights, horse abortions, foal deaths, and many other problems in livestock result form infect pastures. A higher level of management is required for the establishment and maintained of fungus-free fescue than infected tall fescue stands. However research continues to show, for example. Beef steers typically grow 1.5 to 2 lbs. per day on entophyte-free grass compared to 1 lb. or less per day on heavily infected grass. Seed Rate: 25 to 35 lbs. /acre.
SEED CORN
HICKORY KING
WHITE OR YELLOW
An old time favorite open pollinated corn. A tall growing stalk that produces large kernels on a 9 inch cob. Great for roasting ears and making hominy. Produces in 90 days - economical to plant for silage.
SEED CORN
REIDS YELLOW DENT
The high yielding variety was one of the last open pollinated seed corns produced prior to corn hybridization. When it was developed it swept the Corn Belt and was grown in all 50 states. Its popularity was due to vigorous plants that produced high yields. Stalks produce green foliage and large ears with 12 to 16 rows of kernels. Great for silage or eating fresh or frozen.
SEED CORN
TRUCKERS FAVORITE
WHITE OR YELLOW
A well known southern table corn for roasting ears and sometimes used for feed corn. Grows to 8 ½ feet tall with tall green foliage. Ears are 9 - 10 inches long with 10 to 16 rows. Seed corn has good tip cover. Excellent for eating fresh or frozen. Great for cornmeal and economical to plant for silage.
SEED CORN
TENNESSEE RED COB
This open pollinated corn is a great table corn with big ears and deep white kernels. It is, however, also a great silage corn since it produces a talk stalk. A late maturing corn that is great for eating fresh or frozen.
SEED CORN
PENCIL COB
An open pollinated table corn that has a small “pencil” cigar size cob that is medium length. The kernels are deep, long and slender. It can be frozen and take up a lot of freezer space - or cut off the cob. Most folks love to eat it boiled-fresh out of the field.
SEED CORN
MOSBEY’S WHITE PROLIFIC
A variety that was almost lost until a few years ago when we found a small amount of seed stock. Mosbey’s is one of our most popular in sales. It produces large white kernels on multiple ears per stalk. It is preferred for eating fresh or frozen. It is great for silage (large stalks and multiple ears). Today, however it is the number one corn used for grinding into corn meal.
SEED CORN
YELLOW JARVIS
An old time favorite open-pollinated variety that produces large ears with big yellow kernels. It is great for eating fresh, boiled, or frozen. This
Variety is used a lot for wildlife plots.
SEED CORN
DWARF CORN
This is a very early corn that is open pollinated and planted exclusively for wildlife. Dwarf corn matures in 65-70 days and is planted usually around wet/pond areas for ducks and water fowl. As the name implies it grows short, only 3 to 4 feel tall which makes it accessible to all game birds and water fowl. Plant 10 to 15 lbs. per acre in March through July.
SEED CORN
INDIAN ORNAMENTAL
This “Indian” corn grows short to medium height and produces ears with beautiful multicolor kernels. The shocks on the ears are usually a yellow to purple color which makes this corn excellent for fall and Winter decoration plants 10 to 12 lbs/acre.
SEED CORN
SOUTH AMERICAN DYNAMITE POPCORN
High yielding open-pollinated popcorn that grows short stalks and produces large orange-yellow kernels on a small cob. A very economical variety to grow your own popcorn. Plant after danger of frost; 5 to 6 lbs. per acre.
SEED CORN
MEXICAN JUNE
This open-pollinated seed corn is preferred for its early maturity. The stalks produce white corn with a few blue kernels. Great for earring fresh, boiled or frozen.