How to Plant Reed Canary Grass
A perennial grass native to Europe, reed canary grass is coarse-stemmed and broad-leafed. This grass has a reputation for being an invasive species that constricts waterways and irrigation canals. The grass also can aggravate allergies in humans by producing abundant pollen. However, reed canary grass is useful as a forage crop that can be used as pasture, silage and hay and additionally can serve as an ornamental grass. The plant also is extremely winter-hardy, according to the University of Minnesota. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel
- Jar
- Peat moss
- Hoe
- Rake
- Reed canary grass seeds
- Plant seeder
- Garden hose with spray nozzle
- Fertilizer
Instructions
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Select an area of your yard that is very moist, firm and level in early spring--from mid-April to early June. Reed canary grass seeds require several days at cool temperatures and adequate moisture for a high percentage of the seeds to germinate. Step into the potential seed bed to see how far your shoe sinks into the ground. If your shoe sinks only about an inch, the ground is ready to plant reed canary grass.
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Loosen the soil to prepare it for planting by turning it over several inches down using a shovel, and pull up any weeds in the area. Take a sample of your soil to your local county extension office to have it tested to see what soil amendments you might need to add.
The best soil pH for growing reed canary grass is between 4.9 and 8.2. Mix into the soil about two inches of any recommended amendments, such as peat moss, with a hoe.
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3
Create shallow furrows, or rows, in your soil bed with the corner of a hoe or rake. Spread your reed canary grass seeds in the rows using a plant seeder, making sure you seed at 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch soil depth to give the seeds the greatest chance of developing into seedlings.
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Rake the soil gently over the seeds. Test the soil's moisture level with your finger every couple of days, and water your reed canary grass seeds whenever the soil feels dry.
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5
Apply a fertilizer to the soil based on the recommendations of your soil test. You likely will need to give the soil a nitrogen fertilizer annually, because reed canary grass responds best to this type of fertilizer and to a lesser extent to phosphate and potassium fertilization. Expect the reed canary grass seeds to germinate in about two weeks after planting.
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Tips & Warnings
If using reed canary grass as a forage crop, graze the grass when it gets to eight to 10 inches tall so that it goes back down to three to four inches tall. During fast spring growth, be prepared to graze the grassy area every two to three weeks, which will keep it from becoming stemmy and unpalatable.
