Which month is the best to plant ryegrass?

Ryegrass can be used as pasture, lawn grass, feed and other purposes. After harvesting, it can be fed directly to livestock, or made into hay or silage . In recent years, the prospects for growing ryegrass are very good. So which month is the best to plant ryegrass? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Which month is the best to plant ryegrass?

1. Spring planting

Spring is one of the main planting seasons for ryegrass. In most areas, spring planting generally occurs between February and May, with March and April being more common. At this time, the temperature rises and the soil temperature becomes suitable, which is conducive to the growth and development of ryegrass. Ryegrass planted in spring can grow rapidly in a short period of time and form a dense lawn.

2. Autumn planting

Autumn is also a suitable season for planting ryegrass. In most areas, the suitable autumn planting time is usually between September and November, when the temperature gradually decreases and rainfall is more, which is conducive to the root growth and rooting of ryegrass. Planted in the fall, ryegrass will grow and develop some winter hardiness before the harsh winter sets in, allowing it to more quickly establish a dense lawn when it recovers in the spring.

2. Ryegrass planting method

1. Site selection

Ryegrass prefers to grow in well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. The best soil pH is between 6-7, which is slightly acidic to neutral. If the soil is poor or low in organic matter, you can improve the soil by adding organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer .

2. Land preparation

Before sowing, the soil should be deeply tilled, generally to a depth of 20-30 cm. When plowing the land, the soil clods should be crushed, the ground should be leveled, water should be stored and moisture should be retained, so that the soil is loose on the top and solid on the bottom, creating good soil conditions for the germination of ryegrass seeds .

3. Sowing method

There are three methods of sowing: row sowing, spot sowing and broadcast sowing. Row sowing is to dig furrows in the land with a certain row spacing, and then spread the seeds evenly into the furrows. Spot sowing is to dig holes at a certain distance between plants and then place the seeds in the holes. Broadcasting is the process of spreading the seeds evenly over the soil surface. Drilling and spot seeding are more conducive to field management and harvesting, while broadcasting is more suitable for small areas or irregular plots. The sowing amount should be controlled during sowing. Generally, the sowing amount per mu is between 1.5-2 kg.

4. Fertilization

During the growth period of ryegrass, fertilizer should be applied in time according to soil fertility and crop growth. Generally, 1000-1500 kg of organic fertilizer or 25-30 kg of compound fertilizer is applied per mu as base fertilizer. During the growing period, topdressing can also be carried out as needed to supplement the nutrients needed by the crops.

5. Irrigation

Ryegrass is relatively drought tolerant, but it also requires a moderate amount of water to maintain growth. After sowing and during the growing period, keep the soil moist and avoid drought and waterlogging. Generally, watering once a week is sufficient, but it should be adjusted flexibly according to weather and soil moisture conditions.

The above is an introduction to the best months to plant ryegrass. Ryegrass is a cold season crop and is suitable for planting in seasons with lower temperatures, such as autumn and spring. The temperature in these two seasons is suitable and the rainfall is relatively sufficient, which is conducive to the germination and growth of seeds.