HOW TO MAINTAIN SWITCHGRASS

[@virgilholmes6688]

I greatly appreciate how helpful and responsive you are, in addition to having great products!

[@jeremiahdavidson5835]

Burn it burn it burn it!!! After 1 growing season I burn every new stand of switch I plant and the following growing season it will be 6’-8’ tall with 0 weeds whatsoever. I really can’t believe this hasn’t caught on sooner. About 5 years ago I had a small 1/2 acre patch of switch, that I thought had been smothered out by foxtail, accidentally catch on fire and the following year’s results blew my mind. I’ve been burning every year with those same results.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

We have heard many people say the same thing. Thanks

[@alexpinnow6509]

I can't agree more with this, really sets the switchgrass up for success

[@db7outdoors987]

What time of year do you burn?

[@alexpinnow6509]

@@db7outdoors987 I burned early may last year switchgrass was over a foot tall less than 2 weeks later and came in thick

[@jeremiahdavidson5835]

@@db7outdoors987 typically between now and the middle of March or whenever weather conditions allow me to do so…

[@alexpinnow6509]

I burned switch last spring in early May and it cleaned out all the weeds vs. spots where I didn't burn. That late spring fire is solid!

[@Mo75149-j]

I have a 25' wide switch screen along the road for privacy. 3 year old stand, mowed it in May in Missouri with zero turn on highest deck setting, it came back excellent. I didn't have weed issues just wanted to test out mowing. Safer than burning in my area. But I'd prefer to burn, but mowing works good too. Takes more time though.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Lots of people mow

[@jeremykaskinen560]

Great video, like usual John! Thanks

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnnyballgame7339]

Highly recommend burning. It can set it back a little, so if you have a large patch maybe burn a third or half each year. But when it comes in the results are great after a burn.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

We have seen that with many installers

[@Phi3nD]

Hi John, I bought RC big-rock switch from you to use as a screen and have a couple questions. I plan to plant this where I had an Egyptian Wheat screen last season. I recently mowed that off and burned it to get rid of all the stalks. I was planning on frost-seeding switch but after watching your videos, I'm hesitant to do so as we've had quite a bit of foxtail in this area. Am I better off frost seeding and spraying Quinclorac when the foxtail appears, or letting the foxtail come up first and killing it then seeding switch? Next, if I plant Egyptian Wheat again this year as a screen parallel to where I want my switchgrass screen, will the EW shade out the switchgrass if it's south and next to the switchgrass screen line?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Keep the switch south of the hd screen or Egyptian wheat. I would let any weeds start to grow this spring and spray them. Then I would plant the switchgrass. Having a weed free seeded is very important with switchgrass thank you.

[@gregallman3715]

I think with everyone wanting switchgrass the biggest reason for failure is lack of knowing it must have full sunlight and very good soil ph to grow in and acheive full potential. Would you say that is correct John?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

I believe that can be the case for a poor stand. We tried some in partial sun and it’s stunted.

[@JP_BowHunter]

Question about weed killer: Are there reasons why you dont use salt water and highly concentrated commercial grade vinegars? Always great information and your seeds work great.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

I’ve tried that on our garden with mixed results. Not sold on that process.

[@KYKSBrandon]

Is that 2,4 D amine or ester? Does it also affect planting times?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Amine Wait about 30’days after palnting

[@rafteraranch]

What RC switchgrass would work best in the heavy clay soils of Virginia and what is in your Forbes and Forage blend?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Bigrock or Chippewa 13 perennial forbs

[@janitorialguy4436]

Thanks Jon, what do you recommend for southern IN with good soil

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

RC Bigrock

[@chadoverkamp9407]

What can you spray into your HD screen to take care or weeds/sandburs/foxtail If there is anything

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

2-4d for broadleaf Quinclorac for foxtail Try a small test area first .

[@jerryperron5243]

Can you spray around chestnut trees? Worried that I will kill them. Can I seed and mow to control the weeds?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

If you don’t spray the leaves you shouldn’t hurt the trees. I don’t think mowing with out killing the weeds first will work that well

[@jerryperron5243]

Thank you. I do have a 2’ space between the fence and tree so I will make sure to not spray in the fenced area.