Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, VNS

Description

Switchgrass

Panicum virgatum, VNS

Switchgrass grows 3-6′ and is used for soil conservation, pastures, hay production, and possibly for biomass fuels.  Best adapted to areas of moist soils, but also drought resistant and winter hardy.  The earliest maturing of the native warm-season grass; it is readily consumed by livestock.  Yields of four tons per acre in one cutting with high amounts of re-growth before frost are common.  Switchgrass is long-lived and sod-forming.  It can also be a stunning ornamental grass when used in single bunches.

Warm-season grasses, tend to work on establishing deep roots during the first two years of life and then grow vegetatively during their second and third year.  They are slow to establish, often frustrating gardeners during their first year if seeding a meadow, when weeds and other aggressive plants can take hold before the grass becomes established. These grasses are best planted in late spring.  Fall planting is not recommended.  If you seed warm-season grasses in the fall, they will stay dormant and emerge in the spring.  These grasses also tend to stay low during the cooler parts of summer, and put on their full height in the heat of the summer.

Specific Varieties Available at Request: Alamo, Blackwell, Cave-in-Rock, Dacotah, Forestburg, Nebraska 28, Pathfinder, Trailblazer.

Please call for pricing on other varieties.

Seeding Rate:

Small Areas: 1-2 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft.

Larger Areas:  5-7 lbs. per acre drilled, 10-14 lbs. per acre broadcast