Orchardgrass is a versatile perennial bunch-type grass (no rhizomes) that establish
rapidly and is suitable for hay, silage, or pasture. Orchardgrass is
probably the most productive cool-season grass grown in Ohio, especially
under good fertility management. The recommended seeding rate for
orchargrass in Ohio is 8 - 10 pounds per acre. It has rapid regrowth,
produces well under intensive cutting or grazing, and abstains more
summer growth than most of the other cool-season grasses. Orchardgrass
tolerates drought better than several other grasses. Orchardgrass grows
best in deep, well-drained, loamy soils with a pH above 6.0 . Its
flooding tolerance is fair in the summer but poor in the winter.
Orchardgrass is especially well suited for mixtures with tall legumes
such as alfalfa and red clover. For management tips refer to the
Ohio Agronomy Guide 13th edition.
| Orchardgrass Varieties in Ohio Trials. | |
|---|---|
| Variety | Seed Developer/Marketer |
| Benchmark | Countrymark |
| Bengal | Cascade Int'l Seed |
| Condor | Olsen-Fennel Seeds, Ohio Seed Company |
| Haymate | Countrymark |
| Libra | Jenks Seed Connection |
| Mammoth | Cascade Int'l Seed |
| Pennlate | Public |
| Potomac | Public |
| Profile | Jenks Seed Connection |
| Progress | Jenks Seed Connection |
| Stampede | Royal Seed, Indiana Seed Company |
| Takena | Smith Seed Services |
| Tekapo Grazing | Ampac Seed Company |
| Udder | D.L.F. Trifolium |
| Warrior | Olsen-Fennel Seeds, Ohio Seed Company |