We prefer sowing native seeds in the fall, but seeds can be planted fall, spring or dead of winter; this chart lists the pros and cons of each season. Seeds should not be planted in the summer.
| TIME | ADVANTAGE | DISADVANTAGE |
Fall
(plant mid October until the ground freezes) | - Clay soils are easier to work in the fall than the spring
- Higher forb/sedge germination in the first growing season
- High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed
- Cold moist stratification will natually occur; most species will germinate in the spring
| - Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring
- Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing
|
Frost
(plant in early winter just before snowfall or snow free periods until spring) | - No raking or packing of site -Higher forb/sedge germination in the first growing season
- High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed
- Cold moist stratification will natually occur; most species will germinate in the spring
| - Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring
- Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing
|
Spring
(plant in March until May) | - Cool season weeds can be eliminated before planting
- On erosion prone sites a cover crop can be mixed and planted at the same time as the natives
- Optimal for warm season grasses
- More time to do thorough soil preparation and spring weed control
| - 1 year delay in germination for those forbs/sedges which require cold moist stratification
- Need of additional early mowing mid-May to early June -More watering needed, especially if seed is cold moist stratified
- Clay soil is more difficult to work with
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