I live in S/E Michigan. The temp last week got up to high 50's/low 60's. However, it will be back in the 20's this week. So, should I wait until we get some snow & broadcast seed over the snow or seed over the existining clover/rye? There is no snow on the ground now...
Would "now" change for another area of the county? for chicory or oats?
Posed as it seems some say there is too early but its never defined. Have also heard atop snow is good- or the worst. internet facts and opinions can be challenging
EDIT: as far as snow is concerned, I prefer not to seed on top of deeper snow (18”-24”+ or more) or if there is a hard crust on it. Fluffy or melting snow is a much better option. The seed will stay put much better in those conditions. Rapidly melting snow can cause some runoff issues with the seed, especially in sloping areas.
Got about 1/2 of my clover plots frost seeded yesterday. No snow cover here and the top half inch of the ground was frozen, but was starting to thaw out and get a bit greasy on the last couple of passes with the hand seeder. Calling for highs in the 40s with temps dropping down into 20s overnight for the next week or so. Perfect frost seeding conditions. Can’t believe we have basically no frost in the ground in February. 3’-5’ is more the norm. Damn global warming….
As stated in my original post, I planted cereal rye over Ladino. The cereal rye is still green & about 5/6" tall. The deer appear to be still eating it. Will the Rye continue to grow this spring or will it die off giving way to the clover?
I asked the question with southern Ohio (and chicory specific as I haven't frost seeded it exclusively) and feel like I came in worrying about being too early, and now next weekend seems too late.
Thank You for the input guys
Ref Rye and clover or mixed legumes.
The deer will browse the rye every time it grows throughout the winter and before spring greenup. Rye is tough and resilient to browse pressure.
If you don't terminate the rye with mowing at bolt stage or IMOX or other Grass specific herbicide it will lignify (become unpalatable) and bolt to set seed heads. Rye has an allopathic impact on weed seeds which might be want you want letting the rye go to seed.
This is a plot that was bear dirt in Sep, sown with legumes and rye in Sep. Frost seeded with lugumes in early March (zone 6a). I let this plot bolt and just cutting the rye in late June while the rye seedhead is in the dough stage. You can see the legumes thriving under the bolted rye. THis gives the rye roots the best growth to build soil, reduce weed competition, and create a thatch for the young legumes.
LoL - this is just me and Goyt's experience - your results might differ.... ;)
