Cover Crop SeedsHSC-COV-024-QTRLB

Ryegrass Cover Crop Seed — seed or crop portrait

Ryegrass Cover Crop Seed — botanical detail

Ryegrass Cover Crop Seed — ryegrass vegetative cover

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Lolium multiflorum

50 - 70Days to maturity

A seed worth growing

Ryegrass Cover Crop Seed

Item #HSC-COV-024-QTRLB

Fast “quick green” cover for bare soil, erosion control and catching leftover nitrogen.

Annual ryegrass sprouts quickly when there is enough moisture, establishes fast and competes hard with weeds, which makes it one of the simplest ways to get green cover on bare ground. It is also a strong nitrogen scavenger: the roots take up nitrogen left in the soil after a crop, and much of it is released to the next crop as the residue breaks down, which can reduce fertilizer needs.

It is a bunch-forming grass with long, glossy green leaves (up to about 12") that turn yellow-green near the base. Sow any time from early spring to late summer, then rake lightly to cover the seed. In cold regions it usually winter-kills but still protects the soil through winter; in milder years it can survive. When grown as a cover crop, terminate it in spring before it sets seed.

Specs

Average 153,700 seeds per lb.

In stock — 1/4 Pound

$5.80

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Know before you sow

Quick Facts

Latin Name: Lolium multiflorum
Days To Maturity: 50 - 70 days
Life Cycle: Annual
Hybrid Status: Open Pollinated

Growing times vary with weather, soil and local conditions.

Growing guide

From seed to harvest

Sow spring to early fall

Broadcast onto the surface or drill 1/2" deep, and keep broadcast seed moist enough to germinate.

Seeding rate

1/2–1 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. or 15–30 lb. per acre; cut the rate when mixing with a legume.

Terminate before seed

Till during vegetative growth (more than one pass may be needed) or tarp for 2–3 weeks.

Wait before replanting

Leave at least 3–4 weeks between tilling ryegrass in and sowing the next crop.

Growing Information

Scientific name

Lolium multiflorum

Uses

A fast grass for quick green cover, erosion control and cover cropping. It germinates and establishes faster than winter rye and copes with tough, dry conditions. How well it survives winter depends on the severity of the season and on snow cover.

Sowing

Plant shallow: broadcast on the soil surface or drill 1/2" deep. Broadcast seed needs enough moisture to germinate well. Sow any time from spring to early fall.

Seeding rate

1/2–1 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft.; 15–30 lb. per acre. In a mix with a legume, use about one-third of the solo rate of ryegrass plus two-thirds of the solo rate of clover.

Light and soil

Best in full sun with medium to high fertility and good drainage, but grows in almost any soil and tolerates flooding. Ideal pH is 6.0–7.0.

Height

24–36".

Green manure

Plow or disk it in at early bloom, before seed sets. As the residue breaks down it can tie up soil nitrogen for a while and hold back the next crop, so wait at least 3–4 weeks after tilling before sowing.

Termination

Tilling during vegetative growth works but may take more than one pass. Covering with a tarp for 2–3 weeks is also effective, especially in warm weather. Always terminate before seed set, as ryegrass can become weedy. Winter hardiness differs between varieties and from year to year.

Product Details

Annual ryegrass grows vigorously across many soils and climates. It handles wet ground and short periods of flooding and will grow on sand, but it is best suited to heavier clay and silt soils. It tolerates a soil pH of 5–8, doing best between 6 and 7. If allowed to set seed, it can become a weed.

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