{"id":63,"date":"2017-05-18T14:49:11","date_gmt":"2017-05-18T14:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/prairiemoon.mivamerchant.net\/blog\/?page_id=63"},"modified":"2017-06-14T17:35:00","modified_gmt":"2017-06-14T17:35:00","slug":"pros-and-cons-to-fall-vs-spring-seeding","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/old.prairiemoon.com\/blog\/pros-and-cons-to-fall-vs-spring-seeding","title":{"rendered":"Pros and Cons to a Fall vs. Spring Seeding"},"content":{"rendered":"

We prefer sowing native seeds in the fall<\/strong>, 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.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n TIME<\/span><\/td>\n\n ADVANTAGE<\/span><\/td>\n\n DISADVANTAGE<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Fall<\/span>
\n (plant mid October until the ground freezes)<\/td>\n		\n
    \n
  • \n Clay soils are easier to work in the fall than the spring
    \n  <\/li>\n
  • \n Higher forb\/sedge germination in the first growing season
    \n  <\/li>\n
  • \n High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • \n Cold moist stratification will natually occur; most species will germinate in the spring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • \n Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Frost<\/span>
\n (plant in early winter just before snowfall or snow free periods until spring)<\/td>\n		\n
    \n
  • \n No raking or packing of site -Higher forb\/sedge germination in the first growing season<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • \n High moisture conditions at time of germination; less watering needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • \n Cold moist stratification will natually occur; most species will germinate in the spring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • \n Early establishment of warm season grasses can be inhibited -Cool season weeds become competition for new seedlings in spring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • \n Erosion prone sites need cover crop seeding which is earlier and separate from the native sowing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Spring<\/span>
\n (plant in March until May)<\/td>\n		\n
    \n
  • \n Cool season weeds can be eliminated before planting
    \n  <\/li>\n
  • \n On erosion prone sites a cover crop can be mixed and planted at the same time as the natives
    \n  <\/li>\n
  • \n Optimal for warm season grasses
    \n  <\/li>\n
  • \n More time to do thorough soil preparation and spring weed control<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n