Frost Seeding

Frost seeding has been used for many years, but it is getting new attention in recent years with increased rotational grazing. It is a great way to improve hay or pasture yields or introduce new forage crops into an older, thinning stand. There are many advantages to frost seeding as opposed to tearing up and old stand and re-seeding. The list of advantages include reduced labor and energy, lower equipment investment, a shorter establishment period, and it is a great way to maintain productivity of permanent pastures or hay stands without problems with tillage or soil erosion in spring seeding.

There are a few keys to frost seeding

1) Seed to soil contact is very important for seed germination. One way to help this is to fall graze or clipped to expose the soil. Sod bound pastures are the most challenging because they usually have a thick layer of thatch that covers the soil.

2) Competition from established plants must be controlled. This can be controlled in pastures by grazing frequently in the spring and early summer, but remove livestock when it is down to two inch plant height to allow the light to get to the new seeding. Make sure not to clip lower that a couple inches or the new seeding will not have time to establish an adequate root system.

3) Seed selection and seeding rates. Red clover and birdsfoot trefoil are usually fairly easy to establish with frost seeding. Alfalfa, alsike clover, ladino clover, and white clover can also work well under proper management. One caution is to not seed alfalfa into an established older stand of alfalfa. Alfalfa roots produce autotoxicty that will prevent establishment of the new seeding.

4) Timing is important. For frost seeding to be successful, there must be alternating freeze and thaw cycles, along with spring rains to help incorporate the new seeding. Seeding on top of snow works if the snow is not deep and there is not much slope for water movement during a rapid thaw.

Frost seeding is a low cost way to improve productivity of older pastures or hay stands. Be sure to manage soil seed contact to improve germination of the new seeding. Limit competition of established stands to improve results. Select proper species and seeding rates for your field and situation. For more information on this or other questions click on the following link or call your local Trelay DSM.

Frost Seeding Legumes and Grasses