Frost Seeding - Time Time is Now!

The upper-Midwest is finally seeing some warmer weather, and the majority of the snow is gone, except for drifted and shaded areas. This brings a great opportunity to do some frost seeding to help rejuvenate and thicken up some thin hay stands and pastures. Frost seeding offers some great benefits, and there are several options that typically work quite well. The greatest benefit of frost seeding is minimal equipment needs and costs. Frost seeding can be done with a simple broadcast seeder and can even be done with an ATV.

There are a few limitations to frost seeding:

1.Seed Selection | Seeds that need extremely good seed to soil contact don’t typically work well. Alfalfa doesn't work well for frost seeding. The selected products must also be able to germinate in colder temperatures.

2.Freeze/Thaw Cycle| This cycle needs to happen to get the seed in contact with the soil.

3.Seed Density is Important | “Fluffy” seeds like orchardgrass and brome sometimes have difficulties getting sufficient seed to soil contact.

4.Existing Vegetation | This will limit seed to soil contact. Two inches of stubble or shorter is optimum.

What products should I use?

Trust the Experts at Elk Mound Seed

Frost seeding isn’t the cure-all by any means, but if used appropriately, it can be an excellent management tool to help squeeze extra longevity out of forage stands. If you have any questions, contact the professionals at Elk Mound Seed, or give us a call at 800-401-7333.