Don’t Plant Perennial Forages Too Late

By Marvin Hall

Time is running out for perennial forage planting this fall. While the stand may look good going into winter it might not be there next spring. Recommended seeing dates in Pennsylvania are presented.

This is an ideal time of year to plant forage crops and for them to establish. However, beware of planting too late. Below are two graphs showing what you can expect as planting dates get later and later into the fall. Planting alfalfa between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in central Pennsylvania and after Sept 15 in southeast Pennsylvania resulted in poor winter survival and low yields the year after planting. Ochardgrass did a little better when planted in late September but still didn’t have much vigor or yield the following year.

Source:psu.edu