Pasture Improvement: Frost Seeding

Pub 19: Pasture Production > Chapter 3: Pasture Improvement > Frost Seeding

 

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Excerpt from Publication 19, Pasture Production, Order this publication

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
• Table 3-2: Average Dry Matter Yield Renovated with Birdsfoot Trefoil Compared with Unimproved Pastures
2. Other Pasture Improvement Recommendations
• Choosing the Improvement Technique
• Rejuvenation
• Renovation
• Seeding into the Sod
• Broadcast Seeding
• Limited Tillage
• Using Livestock to Renovate Pastures
• Fertilizing Pastures
• Nutrient Cycling
• Soil Tests
• Impact of Grazing Animals on Pasture Fertility
• Weed Control
• Trampling Effects
3. Related Links

Introduction

Broadcast seeding when the ground is frozen or subject to frosts is known as "frost seeding". Frost seeding can be carried out from November through to early April and, like broadcast seeding at other times of the year, works best on thin sods. The advantage of frost seeding is seed is worked into the ground by the freezing and thawing action of the soil. This protects it from poor moisture conditions better than seed broadcast at other times. Melting snow and early spring rains also ensure sufficient moisture for germination. Principal dangers to new seedlings are a late frost and competition from established plants.

Frost seeding can be done on top of snow. In fact, the pattern of sown seed on snow makes it easier to keep track of which areas have been seeded. The seed does not run off with melt water and even steep hills can be seeded this way.

Frost seeding is more suitable for introducing legumes than grasses. It works particularly well with birdsfoot trefoil and the clovers. Inoculate the legumes before seeding. Seeding can be done with a cyclone seeder carried on foot or from the back of a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.

The "hard seed" content in seed lots of legumes usually means the legume population thickens with time. Good populations of birdsfoot trefoil are often not seen until the second year following seeding.

Table 3-2. Average Dry Matter Yield Renovated with Birdsfoot Trefoil Compared with Unimproved Pastures*

	Years After Renovation (kg/ha)
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Renovated	4600	4370	4200	4930	5180	6520
Unimproved	1240	1160	810	1300	1720	1460

* - Average dry matter yield from 20 Ontario sites
Source: Jack Winch, Ontario Agriculture College, University of Guelph

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By mid-May, apply potash and potassium according to soil test results. And graze the pasture to reduce competition from the established sod.

Related Links

... on forages and pastures, visit Forages and Pastures (OMAFRA)
... on weed control, order Publication 75 Guide to Weed Control: Forage Crops
... on agronomy for field crops, order Pub. 811 Agronomy Guide for Field Crops: Chapter 3 Forages
... on field crop protection, order Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide
... on livestock, visit Livestock (OMAFRA)