The best switchgrass planting advice.

[@deerslayer2446]

Great video John. Your spot on with the window being available with the old varieties. It can be done, but even then, the window is small, the herbicide application rates are different and most get burned by spraying to late. Those videos you mentioned don't give the how to for cold weather glyphosate application. Soil type, topography, south facing slopes, precipitation, soil moisture and soil exposure all play a role in soil temps and germination. So many do know that and spray to late with the old varieties and kill switch. With the new varieties and their germination rates and temps, so many more will kill their switch.

[@rnr4204]

Better give your boy Jeff Sturgis a call. He’s only made 1,093,437 videos saying spray roundup in the spring after frost seeding.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

I wonder how many acres of switchgrass have been accidentally killed because of that. I have talked to dozens of unfortunate customers that did that very thing, because they saw it on KZbin. I have seen a few KZbin channel personalities say the same thing. One guy even said watch the for local farmers corn to germinate. Bad advice for sure. Like I said in the video, we aren’t planting 1975 switchgrass varieties anymore. The RC is completely different than other switchgrass varieties.

[@deerslayer2446]

He gives a lot of contradicting information.

[@Mo75149-j]

Ya that jeff guy also thinks that on his farm the does only bed by the food, the younger bucks bed 200 yards past them and the old bucks bed 200 yards past them. And this is the only way it can happen..

[@rnr4204]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 I know where 3/4 of an acre was accidentally killed last year. I followed Jeff’s advice. Only problem was we still had snow up until around the first of may(I frost seeded the fall before. Also one of Jeff’s tips). Then it was either raining or windy as hell for two weeks. I had tons of weeds and kinda had to spray. By the time I was able to spray, it had warmed up. I rolled the dice and lost. This isn’t my first failure at switchgrass. The year before I frost seeded in the spring. Early summer we got a couple rains and then a record drought. Nothing but weeds grew. This will be my third attempt at getting switchgrass started. I kept the weeds at bay all summer. Threw down seed and cultipacked just before we normally get snow. Couple days later freakishly high winds blow through the state and most likely blew away the seeds. When the snow melts I’ll be out there sifting through the sand looking for any proof that there’s still some left. Personally, I’m done with frost seeding switchgrass. It might work for some, but it’s been a complete disaster for me. I would have been better off lighting my wallet on fire. It would have been less work.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@rnr4204 find someone to drill in the spring. It may cost a bit more but you may be further ahead in the end. Or maybe rent a drill and drill it yourself.

[@Iowa_Whitetail]

Great vid guys. Folks sent to me asking my opinion. Gly on green growing tissue is always the issue but interesting info & great info on the earlier germination. 👍

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Thanks Love the IW website. Yep, this new RC Switchgrass is proving to be a lot different than the old varieties we have been using. Unfortunately I have seen thousands of dollars of seed ruined by folks spraying gly on switchgrass that was frost seeded on unprepared ground.

[@user-dp2mr5xk1n]

Very helpful. Switch is slow and difficult.

[@miltg6322]

These videos are simply the best. Would you say all the information here also applies to the Northwoods Switchgrass Cave in Rock variety? I picked some of that up earlier and am planning on frost seeding in a couple weeks. Should I have selected the RC variety instead? Regardless, I will not be spraying glyphosate on it.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

I would say it applies to the CIIR we sell. No gly after seeding. Germ May be a bit later.

[@paulsipe8481]

I have a plan to spray simazine, then wait for green up then spray glyphosphate, then wait a couple weeks then spray one more time then plant the RC.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Sounds like a great plan

[@Jonhuntandfish]

How long after your second spraying are you going to seed?

[@JamesWilson-tn8lh]

I hope this is not too old to get a response to but I am facing ground that was dirt panned to bare ground finishing up in early July 2023 and in a desperate drought situation ..so to just hold the ground (had to dirt pan due to river damage) I planted Barley which is nice and green now and about 8" tall .. Soil type is Missouri bottom ground ..not sandy ..not clay middle of the road tilth This spring the plan is to go in with RC/SG as a border around the field 2 drills wide w/ a Great Plains 3PT606NT as well as lanes to break up the rather large field to give deer a better day time comfort level ..The field interiors will be drilled in soil building/deer positive summer cover mix which will be planted into heavy winter rye/brassicas/legumes then roller crimped Preparatory to drilling the plan was to run a fertilizer buggy over the entire area to make sure to replenish here and there spots of low fertility the pans may have created Then round-up the barley (area for border & lanes only) ..then in two weeks round up again then a week or so drill With what you know about the RCSG will this plan work or is there a better plan remembering I am not really wanting to introduce tillage near my unpredictable river

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

I think that is a good strategy

[@JamesWilson-tn8lh]

Thanks for your feedback!@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663

[@butt562]

Is the importance of stratification as important with RC Big Rock like it is with CIR? I'm on the fence (possibly due to the reason you identified as "old information") between going all summer with maintaining seed bed preparation with chemical control through October 2023. Frost seed ( RC Big Rock) before snow flies or in March 2024 after partial snow melt followed up with simazine application in spring of 2024. OR - this spring-spray simazine than 2x gly treatment and plant? I recently purchased your seed in 2023 and have it stored in cool dry place not sure if this will hurt me if I wait another year. Planting will occur in last years screening from you and bean and rye in other locations. Wow, that was a novel! Sorry! First spraying to include 2-4D okay? Thanks John.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

If you feel you have quality soil, good moisture this spring , you can spray a few times and seed late May/early June.

[@davekubassek569]

So it is not recommended to overseed on top of existing

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

You can overseed a thin stand. But if there is weeds , spraying will be limited to 2-4d or quinclorac. Possibly Simazine right away if needed

[@jarrydmoyer3055]

Great info! I have only frost seeded in the past. How far should the rows be spaced for drilling a 10-15ft screening? Thanks!!

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

7.5 is typically the distance on most drills.

[@johnm-zq9si]

I’ve had success killing foxtail within cave-in-rock switchgrass using quinclorac and mso. Can I expect the new RC Tecumseh variety to be just as resistant to quinclorac? I plan to plant in June, which is about the same time foxtail germinates.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Yes you should be fine. Can you share your : Spray dates Spray rates For everyone else? Thanks

[@johnmanganello4551]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 I used 64oz/A quinclorac with 24 oz/A methylated seed oil. Sprayed early July, western PA. Foxtail took on a reddish hue within a few days, then died off. As John recommends, it’s always best to try a small area first since everyone’s situation is different.

[@DHTex11]

My Soil is not very deep can I still grow a screen of Switchgrass ? Probably 5-8 inches deep. Thanks

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Yes

[@JPRoth-fs8yw]

John I’m having a hard time changing my mindset (ability to spray RU at least once, maybe even twice before (old variety) switch germinates. I have prepped well. Frostseeded RC Big Rock in Jan. So my main question is, will I need Atrizine (fairly soon) and Quinclorac (even 24D) a bit later this summer? Or are you telling me this RC will take off and dominate? Step further, mowing this first year? Sorry for the long and loaded question!

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

You can do Simizine or atrizine soon at warm up. I would not drop any round up on it if it’s seeded. You may have to do some Mowing early of weeds are persistent. You can do some 2-4d or quinclorac later on when the. Switchgrass is stronger. I always do some small areas as a test first

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

One other note, it’s such a gamble that some of the older May pop early. I just don’t think the risk is worth the reward .

[@toreythroop6412]

I frost seeded in November some RC switch on a very well prepared seed bed that had been sprayed several times. Should I just let it go and see how it does this spring or spray simazine on it at the end of march? Based off this info the switch would not be able to germinate because it could pop up in may right. I’m in central Michigan.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

If it’s well prepared (sounds like you did a good job), and typical weather , I would think sometime late May , early June it should get going. If you got a real good kill last year, Simizine May not be needed.

[@jackhuffman2268]

John, amazing content. I live in North Texas and am preparing to plant Blackwell switch in the next month. I have been turning the soil over with a disc since spring green up started. Would you advise spraying as well prior to seeding? Thanks again for the great info.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

I would let it green up and spray a few times.

[@jackhuffman2268]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663

[@jackhuffman2268]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 Thanks John. I'll take your advice and wait for the next batch of weeds and grass to emerge and spray away. Thanks for your reply and keep the great content coming!!!

[@tdawgcj7]

Wish I could turn on notifications!,

[@ncanellos]

Your thoughts on planting switchgrass now in central PA? I put down 10 pounds of yours and was quite happy with the near 100% germination!!! Thoughts of filling in and expanding the screen

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

At 10 pounds per acre it should be real thick in year 2

[@johnshull6027]

John - I’ve used CIR previously and done the frost seeding, simazine, 24D and gly process with good success. I now have RC Big Rock to plant in some new areas. Based on the “new information” and the fact that I have some rye grain growing where I want to add a screening layer, I’m thinking I’ll do the simazine in April and 24D/gly sprays in May and then plant in early June. Is it OK to broadcast the BR seed on top of the soil and then cultipack? I don’t have a no till drill. I do have a mower. SW Michigan. Thanks!!

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

You can. Simizine and round up when the rye starts to green poss2-4d as well Round up a month later and plant the next day.

[@gregallman3715]

What type of tilling mechanism do you use for your ATV for disking? and how wide do the minimum for using the hd screen?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

We have a 3 foot disc that goes behind our atv.

[@DHTex11]

Which variety should I order for North Texas?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Possibly Alamo We do have Bigrock in Georgia

[@user-xu7nx4mq5z]

How big is the root system of RC switchgrass? Curious if the root system would choke out 2 to 3 year old white spruce or how far you should keep the distance from the trees thanks!

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Few feet would probably work

[@markhumphrey855]

Thanks John , I have been planting CIR for 3 years frost seeding, spraying fall before I frost seed then hitting it with Simozene, then RU . One variety did well with this but it wasn’t your seed and the one from you then next year was sparse. Probably because of RU? Just frost seeded your CIR in Dec. So should I skip the Simozene and RU this spring then? Thanks

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

You can use Simizine but I would definitely abound the round up

[@jamiedohm6776]

Can we still spray simizine in March or April in southern Iowa?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Yes That is fine

[@davekubassek569]

Is frost seeding advisable ?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Sure, you can frost seed switch grass. You need to start with a good clean seed bed. I like to see three springs and late summer to early fall to prepare the seed bed. I do not recommend seeding then spray glyphosate on the switchgrass seed. That’s just bad information that is a good way to kill your switchgrass.

[@craigweinmann320]

I have property in north central Minnesota. If I spray roundup at first green up, lite till a week later wait until the next green up spray again till a week later, then plant the RC big rock switchgrass by the end of June, do you think it would get to 5 plus feet by mid October? The instructions that came with the switchgrass seem to be more for the HD screen , is this true?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

You may not have to till, just a few sprayings then seed. It may depend on the thatch layer

[@craigweinmann320]

More or less thatch is better?

[@gregfredrick283]

You might get 3 and a half feet the first year. My 2 and 3rd year grass is 5 to 6 feet. Then I have been burning in the spring going into the 4th year growth. Then it gets heavy stalks. South east Wisconsin

[@jonsuttner880]

We had RC Tec drilled last year in sandy soil WI after spraying a couple times but didn't see consistent germination. Do we see what happens this spring and leverage some spraying/mowing or possibly start over and prep better via light tilling, more gly and remove thatch? Thanks

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Wait and see To much seed in the ground to start over yet

[@travisjohnson8384]

Can I use glyphosate on already broadcasted seed before germination?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Once seed is down I never use glyphosate

[@Steve-kf6pp]

John, what do you recommend then for frost seeding switch grass…just mowing after germination works? 1:05

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

If you already seeded I would say some mowing and possibly spraying later on I would get weeds sprayed before seeding if you can.

[@Browneyemafia]

Gonna try again next year,tried 3 different 1/8 acre spots,frost seeded,then simazine in april,got zero germination...i'm honestly at a loss with this stuff...my mischanthus is thriving...

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Once the seed is on the ground I would not spray much Simizine. 1 to 1/2 qts per acre We have found RC works great with a June seeding.

[@Browneyemafia]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 Think i will try a June seeding,Gly ,wait a week, till then seed, sound about right? thanks

[@darrelbyler6253]

Is it to late to spray simizine or atrazine in SW Missouri ? It was frost seeded in a bean field. Hope I am not to late there is just a bit of green coming up

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

If it’s just starting you may be ok yet. It’s a pre emergent spray and won’t do much to growing plants.

[@joewesterhofdvm5593]

What seeding rates are you going with for screen vs cover/bedding?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Currently Screening broadcast is around 10 pounds per acre Bedding (with pockets) May end up at 7-8

[@jimmymiller9299]

I planted your rc big rock last year and had good results but wanted too thicken it up so I frost seeded some tecumseh in it as well this year. should I avoid using all chemicals or would there be anything safe to spray? any advice would be helpful

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

If needed Later on in the year possibly quinclorac or 2-4d

[@RangerRage69]

Any good ways to get rid of crabgrass and goose grass and some foxtail that’s growing in a year old cave-n-rock switchgrass field?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Watch Jake blows (habitat pro ) videos on KZbin . Some really nice videos. I really like to do small test areas to see how the switchgrass reacts , before I do the whole planting.

[@suzmell1]

My $ on John he’s giving you valuable info for free the rest is up too you great video

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Just want folks to have the best chance for success.

[@brianstrutz9826]

John do you recommend good seed bed, broadcast mid to late October so seed goes through stratification process.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

RC switchgrass does not need stratification. Just a clean seed bed and roll it in in June / July with rain in the forecast. Or better yet, drill it in June. Stratification is needed for old seed varieties some guys are still Selling.

[@brianstrutz9826]

John is OK if I already did? My thinking was it would be dormant with cold ground Temps and ready for spring.

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@brianstrutz9826that should be fine as long as you got a good weed kill with multiple sprayings.

[@emanuelpeachey7266]

So if i plant this switch in 2023 and spray twice like you recommended, do i just seed on the ground then or should i till first?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

You can till first Wait for green up and start spraying . 2 good kills and you should be able to spray.

[@michaellanglois3651]

Any advice on how long after simazine is applied the seed can be planted

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

With in a few days

[@harveyjamick1556]

Hey John I just received some RC from you. I get not using roundup, but is simazine still in play. I had to till my soil , it's ready to go. What do you recommend?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Did you plant yet

[@harveyjamick1556]

Not yet

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@harveyjamick1556 if you didn’t plant yet. You can do Simazine 2-4d and round up now Another round up in 4-5 weeks and plant then

[@harveyjamick1556]

Ok sounds good. Thanks for your help!

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@harveyjamick1556 👍

[@twoTsquared]

Could it be seeded in buck wheat crimped and Cultipacked over the seeds?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

I would think it may depend on how early you can get your buckwheat planted. And not as thick as normal possibly. Switchgrass is so tiny. But if any seed could do it , probably the RC line has the best chance. Great trial for someone to try for sure.

[@twoTsquared]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 Thanks John. I’ll let you know how it goes. Likely will frost seed the following year if it looks too thin.

[@figandcloverranch5871]

When you frost seed back before all the snow comes in Dec, does enough seed make it to spring without having to worry about Birds & Turkeys eating it all ?🦃

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Good question. I would think that’s going to be a case by case basis. Turkey population, size of planting , how much snow you get may all be factors. We are looking trying other planting methods for folks with this scenario.

[@fergystuff]

Any advice for drilling RC Big Rock into a spot that is currently a thriving patch of Reed Canary Grass? I assume I can spray the Reed Canary at least twice with Gly snd/or Glufosinate ahead of drilling the RC, drilling the RC in later May/June. Having never attempted this before my concern is the Reed Canary making a comeback in the spring of year 2. (I am in Southern IA)

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Lots of sprays to kill the reed canary Gotta get that killed Maybe mow it or burn before spring. Get rid of the heavy thatch it creates.

[@fergystuff]

@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 thanks for the reply, forgot to mention that "yes" I also plan to burn the stuff. Isn't Reed Canary a Rhizome based Grass, if I burn and spray multiple times and get it toasted before drilling am I at risk of the darn stuff coming back next spring?

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@fergystuff good point I’m not sure if it’s rhizomes. Possibly That may Involve tillage to kill it and spaying this summer and fall And then 2024 frost seeding possibly

[@bradbrockhaus633]

have you heard of timber switchgrass? Something new i guess

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Yes Many years ago

[@bradbrockhaus633]

@@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663 any thoughts on it

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

@@bradbrockhaus633 honestly, I just looked at it one time. I still like the RC line the best. It’s sounds interesting (name wise) but I’ve not seen any test results on it.

[@TheWiggy73]

Spray quinclorac

[@northwoodswhitetailsfoodpl2663]

Yes Cory, quinclorac is going to be the chemical used for foxtail or Johnson grass. If you sprayed it before, can you share your methods for others? Thanks