What is Broomsedge Good For?

Does Broomsedge have any redeeming value? Why would anyone add Broomsedge to a planting? Andropogon virginica, also called Sage Grass, Whiskey Grass, and Yellowsedge Bluestem, has a valuable function in Diverse Native Grassland ecosystems, restoration projects, wildlife habitat, livestock forage (We mean it, watch the video!), and several practical uses for people.
Elizabeth Steele explores the nuances of this misunderstood and underappreciated grass.
hamiltonnative...
For more information, please visit our website at HamiltonNativeO...

[@timothyhammer6154]

Grazer here and I'm better informed now! Thank you!

[@PrimitiveTim]

Thank you for sharing this info. It really does pay to experiment with your own animals in your own context.

[@laurabutler6253]

Very informative video and good job thanks for posting. I have used this for decoration and yes it is lovely to look at. The basil leaves at the bottom make excellent chicken and duck nest.

[@NotGoddess]

We have areas at interstate exchanges that were 3-4ft non-descript green grass during summer. Never paid too much attention other than idly wondering what grasses were there. They mowed it recently and there's an edge of green near the road but the center is this brilliant reddish orange that is amazing. I'm wondering now if it is broomsedge - those areas use whatever fill dirt/soil they can, so it probably wasn't the most productive.

[@patrickcleburneuczjsxpmp9558]

Broom sedge hay cut late in the year after it's already standing dry or at least starting to dry down is probably my favorite garden mulch. Main season grass hay almost always also has weed seeds in the mix like horse nettles and dock. Small grain straw almost always has some grain still remaining in the straw which itself is a weed problem. But broom sedge even if it's full of seeds hasn't ever been a weed problem in my gardens, and because it grows late in the season it's often possible to get nearly pure cuttings of broom sedge hay.

[@HamiltonNativeOutpost]

What a great use for Broomsedge! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@anitabyrne4814]

I like to look at early successional plants like this through the lens of what agriculture has learned about the plant traits and the benefit those traits contribute to the next plant that succeeds it. Compare with a cover crop like annual rye for example that has stubble which leaves "lasting reside" and functions as mulch (if knocked down.) Does broomsedge seem to leave lasting residue?

[@HamiltonNativeOutpost]

The stems are very lignified (woody) and such are slow to be broken down by microbes. So yes, we see it as very similar to how annual rye stubble contributes to residue.

[@jcobe-qi6mv]

I've had the same experience, if you can keep it vegetative, cattle will eat it. Goats too, they will eat the seed head/stalk...

[@davispinner6642]

Great info. When the plant is palatable do you see it easily pulled up by either bison or cattle because it's shallow rooted? Also which causes less impact to the ground, cattle or bison? It might be a thick question but maybe not.

[@phillipmartin5732]

Can increasing the fertility curb the broom sedge? Would other grasses push pass it, maybe even crowd it out?

[@HamiltonNativeOutpost]

Broomsedge does seem to have an advantage in low phosphate and low pH soils. Depending on what else is growing with it, phosphate or lime may help to crowd out Broomsedge.