Recommended planting dates for Tall Fescue are generally September 1 to September 30 in northern (colder) regions of the tall fescue belt, and September 15 to October 15 in central and southern regions. These dates are ideal and give seedlings plenty of time to establish before freezing weather sets in.
In recent years there have been debates about whether later dates might be more successful given potential for hot, dry weather, and insect pests like armyworms and grasshoppers. While most agronomists are most comfortable sticking to these ideal dates, most have had experience with delayed seeding because of hot and dry conditions, equipment breakdowns or seed availability. Late seedings, or seeding into dry land is often successful when evaluated at the end of the following growing season.
This year the Tall Fescue Belt has been plagued by dry weather. It has not been the worst year in history by any means, but sporadic and poorly distributed rainfall during the summer and a very dry September have led to very dry conditions at planting. Most farmers and their advisors realize that if it is early it makes sense to wait for some moisture before planting. At some point, however, it is best to go ahead and plant the tall fescue, or switch to another crop that can be planted later, such as cereal rye or wheat.
If you have your tall fescue seed on hand and are waiting to plant due to dry weather, this advice is for you. Many farmers received some rain over the last two weeks, so for those blessed individuals seed should go into the ground as soon as possible wherever they are. If you did not get rain, it may still be best to wait if you are in southern regions, but in northern regions the seed needs to be in the ground asap if it is not already planted.
General guidelines for the latest date you should go ahead and plant (even if it is still dry) would be October 15 in more northern parts or higher elevations, November 1 in central parts and November 15 in the southern parts (or low elevations in Virginia and North Carolina) of the Tall Fescue Belt. If you don’t have seed on hand, then you might change your plan to plant a winter and summer annual in the coming year, and then plant your tall fescue next fall. If you do have your seed, talk to your supplier as they might replace seed not planted this year with new seed for next year (if you decide to plant an annual), or they might support you if you plant and the stands fail due to continued dry weather.
If you choose to plant into dry land, keep a few things in mind. If you are using a no-till drill to seed make sure your drill is getting into the ground. If using tillage, make sure that there is enough moisture to make a firm seedbed, and don’t get the seed too deep.
If you have put forth the effort to renovate your tall fescue pastures this year, follow through and put the seed in the ground! Continue to wait for some moisture if you are in the central or southern regions of the tall fescue belt, but if you are in the northern areas, plant now and pray for rain. An old farmer once told me regarding late planting; “Seed left in the shed never grows”. Keep that in your mind; plant the grass and feel good that you are taking a risk to dramatically improve your forage system.
~ Matt Poore, NC State and Chair of the Alliance for Grassland Renewal
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue technology through education, incentives, self-regulation and promotion. For more resources or to learn more about the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, go to www.grasslandrenewal.org
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal 