4 EZ Ways To Plant Switchgrass
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- Опубликовано: 3 апр 2021
- How do you plant switchgrass? I have found several proven ways to plant switchgrass for deer and other wildlife species. There is a common theme that you need to follow, to make sure that you predictably successful when planting switchgrass. How you plant switchgrass may change after watching this video.
You can find out which switchgrass plantings are best for you, by enrolling in my latest deer hunting land design web class, at:
www.whitetailhabitatsolutions...
Make sure that you are getting the most out of your switchgrass plantings, by following my weather forecast hunting predictions for when you head to the woods. Check out HuntCast, at:
huntwise.com/sturgis 
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My first year planting switch and it coming in great all because of you advise. Thank you.
Happy Easter! Been watching for several months now from East Texas. I apprrciate the videos as Im employing some of your methods on a new 180 acre property. 👍👍
Another morning of “Coffee with Jeff”, and this one is really appreciated. I’m just now getting to the point on a piece of land I purchased a little over a year ago where I feel I know it well enough to start in on these “recipes”. This one in particular is speaking to me, but I’m wondering if your books possibly lay these steps out clearly. Yes, I could watch these vids again (I do) and take notes (I do), but I’m wondering if you’ve already created the “cook book” so to speak. A field guide. I’m ready to get after it!! Thanks for all this education.
Every video you do on switchgrass is more informative than the last- super info. I have a friend who plans on planting switchgrass in an area that is now a lawn. I believe the third method you discussed would work well for him - Glyphosate the lawn at least twice, spread seed and compact it.
Excellent content giving people different options based on their equipment and capabilities.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
Thanks a lot Paul so many different ways to plant switchgrass successfully!
Happy Easter!!
Coffee is in the cup. Thanks for another video. Nice shed!
Coffee is in the cup for me too Kurt! Really appreciate it...that shed was a crazy one - hiding in plain site!
Great timing! Great Video as usual. Thanks Jeff!
Hey Jeff! I just planted switchgrass last weekend! Super fun! First time doin it!
That's great...good luck and make sure you stay on top of the weeds 😊
Would love to see a plan of your Minnesota property. You have me addicted to all your videos! Thank you so much for sharing such great info!
Happy Easter very exciting time. Looking forward to foodplot prep real soon also hoping last years frost seeding of cave N rock switchgrass took
Can you include the link of the switch grass seed you use?
Sunday morning, whitetsilschool in session, great content as always.
I really appreciate you watching Mitchell...Happy Easter!!
Awesome info! This answered so many questions I've had.
That is great to hear Travis...thank you for watching and Happy Easter!
Nice thorough lesson, thanks. I would like to offer up another method which is to plant the NWSG in with a corn planting and manage it wsame as corn with heavy applications of herbicides and fertilizer. Corn is also treated with triazine class herbicides. The theory is that the corn management eliminates competition the first year so grass will establish, then let it go the second year. Also, its important not to get the rate too high or it will catch a lot of snow and lodge. Also animals like to be able to run around in it and if it gets too thick they cant. Any way, good video!
Happy Easter Jeff. Great content. Bought a 180 acres with two of my best friends and have been using all your advice. It’s been a lot of fun together as families to follow and a great way to make memories together. Anxious to see it all come together!
Happy Easter! More great content!!
Thank you very much Guy and Happy Easter to you too!
Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us
I really needed this video today
I discovered your videos a week ago. I have gotten nothing done due to that, but learned a ton of practical info. Was planning on screening part of my property, and your video has motivated me to get it done. I have a question about establishment. I have johnsongrass along one edge, I don’t think Simazine will control that. How do I go about replacing it with switchgrass? Thanks!
Another great video Jeff. Thanks for all the great videos. I frost seeded switchgrass last year and I ended up spraying glyposate after it came up even though the corn hadn't come up. Is there any easy way to identify the switchgrass when it germinates? Thanks.
Hey Jeff great information I now think I have a decent game plan to get switch grass going.
Happy Easter Jeff!!! I snuck away to watch this video so if I get caught I'm blaming you hahaha. Can u do a Instagram post when you do the simazine and the other sprays? My switch has been on the ground for a few weeks the simazine is waiting patiently in the shed ready to be sprayed following your lead. Thanks again such great content, really leading the pack on DIYers.
Great information Jeff I’m frost seeding roughly 7acres of switch and I want to make sure my efforts are most efficient as possible especially as a non resident owner. I hope that it works as easy as you explain it. your content really helps!
Hi Brad...enjoy the process this year!! You are very welcome...it works! But you need to follow the steps to a T 😊 Hopefully we get some warm weather and the snow breaks apart soon...
Great videos Jeff !! What is the latest you would plant switch into the summer? I'm in central illinois and was thinking about planting a smaller area late August? Didn't know if that allows enough time for the plant to put down good roots before winter. THANKS
Always great stuff
Perfect timing Jeff I frost seeded some switch grass in northern ny today
Nice Josh! Make sure that you stay on top of those weeds 😊
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 plan on spraying again in a week or two winter is just leaving us up here
Cool. May be too late this year. But next year may try on a powerline if I can till, plant rye this fall, and frost seed the following year.
Does it spread by itself a lot and take over native vegetation?
pesticides and grass. great program
I am planning on putting in several acres of switch on a property I have owned for about a year. I appreciate and will continue to visit your highlights on switchgrass. Thanks for putting in the germination rate info of hard vs soft seed. You sold me on Northwoods seed from John Komp, but trying to get it is like Black Friday at 4am in the morning. It sells out super quick. I am looking at a different supplier with a much higher percentage of hard seed in the mix. I am planning on stratifying it in a freezer to increase the germ rate when I plant in May. Any experience with this?
Happy Easter Jeff!
I have a new plot area that this year I plan to plant the buckwheat in the summer then plant brassicas for the fall with also using the recommended chemical sprayings. I'd like to frost seed switchgrass screen on 3 sides, (N, W, & S) of it for next year. Would it be a waste to even try to plant switch along the South edge due to lack of sun?
South edge is tall white pines with a lot of glossy buckthorn growth in them. It's not a huge area so really wouldn't be out a lot of seed if it didn't work. The S edge is toward the bedding areas though and neighbor's fields are 150 yards to the N.
Thanks for the good content. I planted some switch grass last year, but made the mistake of shading it with sorghum next to it. I've found it hard to distinguish early switch grass growth from regular field grasses invading it. How do I distinguish and defeat the grasses? Is mowing the only option?
Huge fan thank you for top quality videos, my question, I live in north east Washington, I’m changing 20 acres of my property into more deer habitat and food plots. My plan is to plant the switch grass on my property perimeter, around the plots, and make bedding areas around bushes on property for drowsing. So my question is, when I do my food plots, half brassicas, the other half peas oats rye, can I plant switch grass to separate those two halves of the food plots like a divider line or just leave it open. I appreciate your videos, the past two years I’ve changed my entire property and practice of my property from forest management to game management and I saw larger bucks the first year. It was like my place once was before o was convinced to cut everything down to opens the trees up. Anyways thank you very much for your useful knowledge.
Logger didn’t get here this winter as planned. So early planting for switch can’t happen. So now looking at mid-season planting. Considering doing Egyptian wheat to screen one section for one year. Thoughts?
Merry Christmas Jeff! I have a question on a planting procedure. I want to plant 20-30 yards on the north end of a 7 acre field to create a barrier/seclusion from the neighbor. It will be better for both of us. My question is if this is a good planting procedure with a strip of land that was planted in corn the previous year: 1) roto-till, 2) seed switchgrass 6-8 pounds per acre, 3) roll/cultipack, 4) spray simazine on soil after. Appreciate the valuable assistance you provide! Thank you!
Glad you pointed out that the shed find wasn’t staged, because that was my first thought.
First time planting switch for us as well. Just frost seeded some cave n rock two weeks ago. Also planted 200 Norway spruce and 200 willows. Just curious Jeff, does the stand of switch seed itself as well with the seeds it produces and thicken the stand on its own over time?
Have have you ever utilized burning an area to eliminate thatch and expose the soil? I have thick bunches of canary grass that I could burn and then spray, getting switch seed on the ground by mid-late June. Area is all riverbanks so a lot of moisture
Hi Jeff. What’s the thinnest strip of switchgrass that you would plant to provide adequate cover? I plan on planting a strip off the edge of my food plot to provide screening for my stand entrance and so the deer can’t look into the whole plot without entering it. Thanks.
When is best time to plant switchgrass?
I believe you mentions in previous videos the spring but if you aren’t acquiring land until summer how late can you plant switchgrass?
Planted about 2 acres of cave n rock about 8 years ago. Frost seeded then Sprayed the fescue early spring with glyphosate then applied atrazine. Worked like a champ. Nothing in area was holding deer despite lots of ag. Sold property as was my house and 25 acres. Personal friend now owns it and they said it hold huge amounts of wildlife. They and neighbors have killed a ton of deer coming and going from that SG area. Before it was all nocturnal.
You planted into thatch and weed growth and had success? I am planning on doing this but many say not to. He mentions mentions briefly in this video but I'm worried my investment will be wasted if the seed doesn't make it down to the soil thru the weed and grass growth...
Jeff, what are your thoughts/experiences on Broom Sedge as cover for deer? Here in Southern Maryland, we have soils that are more acidic, old fallow fields will slowly turn into thick stands of Broome sedge. In my experience, deer love to bed in it, use it for cover & travel routes. Any thoughts on this??
@jeff do you have to burn switch grass? Could you make a video of maintenance on certain plants?
Thanks for all the info Jeff. I still have some confusion on simizine. Sounds like you say u can spray before germination and after about 12-18 high???? Is that correct? I bought some but am afraid to use it yet
Great vid brother I need to get a couple new plots sprayed for fist time soon lol hard to find the time..
The lack of time is a huge enemy 😁 Hope you can find it Chris...have a great weekend and a Happy Easter!
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 You to brother happy Easter
Hi Jeff. Happy Easter! I just want to be clear on simazine use. If I planted switch last spring and it’s an area that I can not mow and there’s weed competition, I should spray it now? Will I harm any young switch? 3 quarts/acre?
Any variety suggestions for SW VA? Property is being logged now and I want to use switchgrass to screen diversity pockets and food plots.
Thank you for your video on switch grass. Could you please tell me the water to chemical ratio you use when applying simazine as well as 2-4D and glyphosate?
Hi Dana, I hope that this helps you out 😊
ruclips.net/video/HBll7l-H178/видео.html
What setting do you put your seeder on ie 1,2,3, or 4, while frost seeding and using a handheld seeder? Thank you!
Another great video Jeff! Here's a video idea for you- how about doing a video on moss, how to get rid of moss, why the moss is in our food plots, is it bad or no big deal, etc.? I have moss in my food plots this year, pH is good, I think it gets enough sunlight as the clover and brassica does well. Still, the moss seems to be spreading and creating a mat. Should I be concerned? Any tips? Thanks! Kevin
Needs lime I would guess.
Google moss in lawns..
I believe I watched a video on utube and the purchased iron powder or something like that at a lawn and garden supply store.
Maybe ortho brand.
Might help if your still having problems?
In planting switch in a field with corn stubble, would it be better to disc and then spray the first weeds before planting or broadcast into the thatch?
i am going to plant switch in corn field right after harvest, any thoughts? and thank you for another video!
Great method!! Same as planting after a food plot. You can frost seed in October or during late Winter with not snow
What variety of Switchgrass grows tallest in Central Kentucky? Thanks for any advice!
Jeff, great video! Perfect timing with the information! I had watched your previous video with John from Northwoods Whitetails and I got a little confused when he said that you could plant switchgrass in June!🤯 No frostseeding? Your video did a great job of explaining the different options. With that said, I think that I will plant some switchgrass this June when I go to plant the buckwheat. What do you think about that plan?
George
Good morning Jeff. A quick question if you don't mind pertaining to broadcasting switchgrass (SG) with your Earthway Model 2750 - does that particular broadcaster 'spread' the fine SG seed nicely or does it 'pour' out quickly? I ask because I am finding that broadcasting the SG with my current broadcaster leads to nowhere near the coverage I need for the poundage I have (this if basing off of say 10 pounds / acre); I'm getting nowhere near that coverage and as you know SG seeds costs $$. Thanks in advance as I am planning on buying that Earthway model :)
I have a couple acres that are old ag ground. Was put into wrp 4-5 yrs ago. Has been mowed here an there too keep trees out. Which method would you recommend? I don’t might waiting till next year just wanna make sure I’m prepared when I do.
I will not have bare soil early spring but want to plant switch screen and cover of buckwheat within. Should I just spray with roundup and then seed after a week? Any thoughts much needed and appreciated.
Hey there is there anything you would recommend for food plots in southern Ontario all we have is hay fields for Miles around us and about 80 acres of hayfeilds and 20 acres of maple hardwoods and 30 acres of swampy stuff on my family's farm we have 4 or 5 plots already going but they don't show interest in the fall
We also feed corn here and it is legal
I am curious if you are planning on focusing on your Minnesota property to demonstrate methods and products/planting (for the shows) or if you would focus on just getting it right for deer.
Hi Kurt, good question!! Purely for creating the best herd and hunt in the area to the point the neighbors wonder if we are poaching 😊 I am extremely competitive and love my deer hunting at the highest level I can possibly produce. The promotion of any sponsor is secondary. In fact if anyone sponsor wanted me to sacrifice our potential success in the promotion of their product I would drop them.
Fortunately I have great partners that allow me to do what I want in my attempt to deliver to you guys he reality of what we do on a weekly basis. I had a potential sponsor say, "You don't have to actually use the product...just SHOW that you use it. That's the hunting industry way." No matter how much money that was worth in dollars and product...that is an example of a company I wouldn't work with.
I hope that makes sense! Really appreciate the question 👍 We rarely even have a sponsor ask us to specifically showcase their product in a certain way.
The deer always come first...
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Yes! I definitely don’t see you pushing any labels/sponsorship. What I’m thinking is are you planning on demonstrating pocketing switch (just to show) or planting brush/spruce/dogwood , or types of plots that demonstrate different outcomes. (Destination or travel plots) .
I’m sure you will definitely benefit your herd, but with this blank canvas and four shows a week , you can cover a ton of different subjects (even some that aren’t needed for your land)
Oh I get you Kurt! Just because my time is so limited, I have to keep on track with activities directly related to my overall plan. Maybe at some point? But as if right now I won't get everything finished that are priorities.
With the exceptionally warm spell we are having in SE Mn right now my soil temps 3” down are 50plus degrees. Should I be concerned about applying Simozine now. Could the SW seed a put down last November be about ready to pop and would the simozine timing (application) be bad this year. It effective in the soil for about 6 weeks right?
What’s the advice for planting SWITCH into a soupy wet area?? The Type of ground that is squishy to walk on and May puddle with rain.
I'm watching Soil temps , when would you last spray 24D and gly for switch grass?
Do you spray the pre emergence on bare soil or wait till weeds show up?
hey Jeff, I have a 25 year stand of switch that is getting very sparse. What's the best way to bring it back in thick? I'm in southern Michigan, simazine in April? mowing until July? or burn?
Any one else in Midwestern Wi have their switchgrass sprout yet? We disced, rolled, put down Caveinrock switchgrass from John Comp (10#/acre), rolled, and sprayed Simazine early April. That’s as early as we could do, snow just left.
2 weeks ago soil temp (with meat thermometer 1” in) was 48F. The corn nearby sprouted last week but no switchgrass has sprouted. Never had to put down glyphosate/2-4D. No weeds have grown in the switchgrass area. I’ll have my brother check the soil temp today. Any reports from any of you in Mid MN mid Wi would be nice. Thank you.
Hey Jeff, is it too late to spray simazine in PA right now?
Can you plant switchgrass in the buckwheat smother method?
Great video Jeff, Happy Easter... Can you spray Glysophate on 2 yr Switch 3 weeks after green up? Thanks.
Hi Mark no you can not. You can mow tho, roughly 4-5 weeks after Spring green up? The Gly will kill it.
Really? i thought switch was still dormant at that time....
Is it recommended to mow switchgrass every year in the spring?
Wanting to plant a half-acre spot. It is December 18th here in south Alabama and the soil temp. is 68. I would expect to still have heavy frost mornings. Can I plant now and will it germinate now?
QUICK QUESTION- if you switch grass planting needs to be thicker, can you frost seed into existing switch? Thank you.
Do you ever plant wildflower blends or pollinator blends for whitetail?
Definitely Nate...and recommend them a lot! We have 2 acres of pollinator blends going in this season alongside portions of our switchgrass. I mention it a lot in the videos...
Is it too late here in mid July in Michigan Traverse City area to establish switch grass.
Good afternoon Jeff. Looking into planting switch on my property. I see you planted in June and didn't frost seed. You say weeds are the biggest issue. Have you tried planting with your buckwheat no till method, is it worth the effort?
Located in Southern New York
So every year does the switch turn green again or does it stay tan colored?
I have acidic soil. I lime to nutruel. scraped the surface to plain soil. Broadcast spread, rolled it for contact and nothing. New seed with high germination rate and nothing. Located south central Pa. Any tips?
Think a guy can broadcast the seed in say October on bare soil and let seed sit all winter as form of frost seeding, will the damage seed?
Have you ever used 2,4DB after to keep broadleafs out of young switch grass? Does it hurt the switch like 2,4D?
Hi Greg I have and I highly encourage folks NOT to. It is very easy to spray too much and kill young switch...or kill old, mature switch. Much better to mow...
What about aerating before seeding
Are any of these chemicals bad to use around honey bee's? I've got hives about 50 yards from where i want switch grass.
If you are frost seeding on bare ground that was chemical controlled the year before, would it be better to seed in oct or wait till March? Thanks.
Hi Brad...either is a good option! Feb with no snow is good. We have some areas that would have been OK to seed in October...but some would have spooked deer doing so.
Will you reseed empty areas that didn’t germinate as well before the start of the second year?
For sure if needed? But haven't had to. Would definitely fill in holes if needed tho
Will frost damage switchgrass?
Will it grow in sandy soil
I have ten acres in a river bottom which I would like to improve, but was told switchgrass doesn't tolerate getting wet (the area floods every other year). Is there an alternative which handles occasional flooding? Thank you!
Cordgrass would be a good alternative. It handles wet meadows well, it’s just not as thick as switch grass
Things are warming fast here in Cadillac, MI. Is it too late to "frost seed" switch grass or should I wait until early weed growth to do weed control, then plant?
Hi neighbor,
From Mesick Michigan. Putting my switch in, in 2023!
You mention the ferns. Are they bad for the soil? Do deer eat them?
Hi Jeff,
Any recommendations where to get Glyposate and 24D? Thank you Sir.
Hi Spencer! For me personally at one of the feed and seed stores in the area. Viroqua Ace Hardware, Westby Co Op, Rudy's Feed and Seed in Holman...I've purchased at other locations around here too...lots of options.
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thank you Jeff, great information and much appreciated.
What are the best things to plant in soil that stays saturated all year and occasionally floods with heavy rain? I’m in Michigan on 12 private acres and I’m limited on my planting locations
Look into cattails
Is there such a thing as too thick of switch? Around here we have seen a lot of deer bedding in crp so we tried switch in an open area next to our food plot for the past few years and they're not using it at all.
Hi Nick! It can't be too thick. You want switch to screen deer bedding in diversity pockets, Upland cover, woods edges...never in the switch. They fact the don't bed in switch or grass combos is a good thing. We have about 7.5 acres in the ground or growing right now in MN and none if it is bedding cover...but most of it is screening bedding cover in some way, which is how you want to use it.
Happy Resurrection day Jeff
He Is Risen...hope you can enjoy the day George!
If you bush hog your place every year would this still be fine or just not bush hog there
So its just for cover?
What is switch grass good for, forage or just cover??? Why do you use 24D with roundup, I thought roundup killed everything???
Switchgrass is exceptional for bedding screening, hunter access screening, bedding structure, small game cover...it's actually the only real grass cover for the Fall and Winter months the in most of the northern 1/3rd of the country exceptional edge cover for pheasants and rabbits.
Glyphosate is a marginal killer for many broadleafs...pretty weak chemical overall compared to most others. 2-4D kills broadleafs that glyphosate won't even begin to touch. Even clover can't be killed by Glyphosate.
Can you use Simazine on a plot that you frost seeded clover and chickory on?
No you can not...
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 good to know! Thanks!
is there a soil temp i should be looking for before spraying simazine/princep?
No...just non frozen ground prior to Spring Greenup
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thank you!
Is there something that can be used for cover like switchgrass that only grows to the 5-6 foot range? That you would recommend for us further south that would give similar results. Thanks for your video's.
Hey Jeff, do you inoculate your switchgrass seed at all?
What do you mean inoculate?
Can switchgrass be planted in the south east?
The good news is that there are many grass varieties that will work for you, because you don't have snowfall to crush them down. Lots of options including switchgrass depending on your location 😊
What is the reason for planting switch grass?
Bedding screening, pheasant and rabbit cover, hunter access screening, low cost, decades lasting, edge habitat for turkey nesting and among many more qualities, the only grass that has a chance of standing up to wet snow...and the only grass that pops up after the snow melts.
Live in east central Iowa, frost seeded cave n rock in January, sim 2 weeks ago . Once I start seeing weeds wait till 5/6 inch tall and spray gly because switch will not show until corn pop and not kill it, right? Idk just trying to get it right. Thanks
can you spray simazine after you frost seed?
Yes you sure can...does not hurt the Switchgrass in any way
@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thanks I really follow you guys and have learned a lot I own a small farm 80 acres and live on it and hunt my buddy's farm 120 acres I do pretty well.
Where can you get some simazine?
@@tracea06 if you live by a farm store, rural king had it here in southern illinois.
Where do you typically get your simazine?
For me personally at one of the feed and seed stores in the area. Viroqua Ace Hardware, Westby Co Op, Rudy's Feed and Seed in Holman...