Looking for a cost effective strategy to improve forage diversity and quality in your fields?
Frost seeding is a low cost seeding strategy that relies on the action of the soil freezing and thawing to incorporate broadcasted seed into the ground. Frost seeding can begin at any point now as most fields throughout Vermont are without snow cover.
Keys to successful frost seeding include:
- Removal of vegetation before seeding (ideally grazing or mowing in the fall),
- Seeding early in the spring (after the snow is gone but while the ground is still frozen),
- Selecting species that can germinate when cold–Ideal species for frost-seeding include red and white clover seeding at rates between 6 and 8 pounds per acre–and,
- Allowing for new seedlings to establish (avoid over grazing and letting plants grow to 6 to 8 inches before harvesting).
More information on frost seeding can be found at: uvm.edu/extension/cropsoil/wp-content/uploads/frostseeding.pdf.