Seeding Depth and Row Spacing

Drill forage seeds at a uniform depth of one-half inch for small and three-quarter inch for large-seeded species. Depth bands on disks will help control seeding depth as will releasing the opener spring tension and seeding into a firm seedbed. Equip the drill with packer wheels to firm the soil over the seed after seeding.

1. Planting. Seeding will be done with a drill or air seeder that will place the seed at the proper depth, provide a uniform flow of seed at the proper rate, and have packer wheels to press the soil firmly over the seed. In lieu of packer wheels, the area will be cultipacked after seeding. Install plantings with equipment calibrated to the correct seeding rate and set for the correct depth of planting. Use depth bands if available. Acceptable planters include, but are not limited to, a single-disk, double-disk or furrow drill, hoe drill, or air seeder. Reference NRCS Montana Plant Materials Technical Note Number MT-30, Calibrating a Drill, dated May 1985.

2. Broadcast Rates. If planting is to be completed by broadcasting the seed−hand planted, mechanical or aerial seeded: (1) seeding rates must be doubled if no other operation will take place after seed broadcasting, or (2) recommended seeding rates may be used from Montana Plant Materials Technical Note Number MT-46, Seeding Rates and Recommended Cultivars - if the seedbed is roughened, seed broadcast, covered with a spike-tooth harrow or similar implement, and then rolled with a packer or cultipacker.

3. Seed Placement. Native grasses, forbs, and shrubs need to be seeded at a shallow depth, as light plays a key role in the germination of many species. Native grass mixtures containing varying seed sizes should be planted no deeper than one-half to three-quarter inch deep. Drills fitted with depth bands and packer wheels are strongly recommended.

CAUTION: Many rangeland shrubs (big sagebrush, silver sagebrush, and others) require light for germination and MUST be seeded no deeper than one-quarter inch. Research has shown if these seeds are mixed with other seeds and planted deeper than one-quarter inch, the seeding will be a complete failure. Reference Montana Plant Materials Technical Note Number MT-31, Restoration of Woody Plants within Native Range Communities.

For guidance on planting shrubs or trees using containerized stock, dormant poles, and so forth, refer to the FOTG, Section IV, Practices Standards and Specifications for Tree and Shrub Planting (Code 612).

When seeding warm season grasses, native forbs with small sized seed, or rangeland shrubs, species must be drill seeded separately in alternate rows, or broadcast on the soil surface and lightly covered, for successful establishment. Another option is two seeding operations with the second operation perpendicular to the first.

4. Row Spacing. Row spacing for most range or pasture mixtures will be between six and 14 inches. The minimum row spacing for Russian wildrye is 18 inches. Where row spacing is greater than 12 inches, hazards from wind or water erosion, or weed encroachment may exist and must be managed. Consider two seeding operations, with the second operation perpendicular to the first or alternate rows with alfalfa or other legumes 18 inches wide.

5. Slope. Where slopes are greater than five percent, planting will be completed on the contour or across the general slope of the land, especially with Russian wildrye wide row spacing.

This is an alternate row of Russian wildrye with alfalfa planting.

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Last Modified: 07/05/2007