When Should I Plant Brome Grass Seed?

Bromegrass is a long-stemmed grass used most often in commercial situations. Since bromegrass is a long-stemmed grass rather than turf (lawn) grass, it is most commonly dried, bundled and used as hay for horses and other livestock. Bromegrass takes some specific care during planting and growing.

Planting Brome Grass Seed

Bromegrass is a cool weather grass, which means it can grow year round and does not go dormant in winter like warm weather grasses. Plant cold weather grass in late spring or early summer. Planting in the late spring allows bromegrass to establish and bloom before the heat of summer, while planting in late summer allows it to establish and bloom before the cold of winter.

Plant bromegrass in a moist, firm seedbed. Bromegrass grows well on silt and clay bases, though it also adapts to quick-draining soils. It can be drought resistant but does better with water and irrigation. Plant bromegrass from seed using the drilling method and a seed drill or slit seeder. Plant your seeds 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deep in the soil. Go over the soil after you sow bromegrass seeds and cover any exposed seeds with soil. Use 12 to 16 lb. of seed per acre when you are planting brome grass seeds.

Growing Brome Grass

Do not mow bromegrass too closely after it sprouts and begins growing. The ideal temperature range for bromegrass growing is 60 to 75 degrees, though it will grow at lower temperatures. Fertilize your bromegrass with nitrogen-heavy fertilizer at a rate of 90 lb. per acre, to increase yields. Test your soil to determine whether phosphorous and potassium are available; if they are not, use fertilizer that supplies those elements as well.

Clip and harvest bromegrass when seed heads emerge on the blades. Harvesting bromegrass at that first blooming will encourage the grass to regenerate and bloom again.