Spring Planting Considerations

submitted by

Margaret Bell, Extension Livestock Agent, Craven and Jones Counties

Over the years, most livestock owners have acknowledged crabgrass as a weed. Now, however, we are realizing the great nutritional value it has to certain animals, especially horses. As for the new herbicide product labeled just this past year, Metsulfuron Methyl & Nicosulfuron (Pastora), brings about quite the mountain of questions as well. In this article, we will discuss a few of the common misconceptions about both and discuss good planting options for the spring season.

     Crabgrass has a lot of advantages. Here are some facts you need to know if you want to plant crabgrass. It is very cheap and grows well in areas that drain appropriately. For crabgrass to get its optimum growth, air temperature needs to be between 85 and 95 degrees because it is a warm season grass. It will not grow very much when the temperature is below 60 degrees. Also, warm season grasses are more tolerant to moisture stress than cool season grasses. For the coastal plain, crabgrass needs to be planted from April to May 15. Make sure you plant only about ¼ of an inch deep as crabgrass is very sensitive to how deep or shallow it is planted. You will need about 3 – 4 pounds of seed per acre.

            As for Pastora, you need to do your research since it is such a new product. It is labeled for chemical weed control in hay crops and pastures in coastal bermudagrass (as found on the label): suppresses large crabgrass and goose grass, controls barnyard grass, broadleaf signal grass, foxtail species, Johnson grass up to 18 inches, panicum species, Italian ryegrass, sandbur, volunteer cereals, Pensacola Bahia grass, wild garlic, and many broadleaf weeds such as bitter sneezeweed, buttercup, geranium, chickweed, curly dock, dandelion, dog fennel, henbit, horseweed, jimsonweed, lambs quarters, morning-glory, pigweed, plantain, smartweed, and wild mustard. Consult with your local livestock agent for formulation amounts and how to properly apply these chemicals. Don’t forget to use a surfactant if the product calls for it. There are not any hay or grazing restrictions for Pastora use and it provides post emergent grass weed control. It also provides pre and post emergent broadleaf weed control. You should only apply it to established bermudagrass pastures and you could potentially injure your crop if you treat new growth more than two inches or after seven days following harvest. 

            Other spring planting considerations include taking a soil sample and sending it to North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s lab to be analyzed. Although right now is the busy time of the year for the lab, you can always take a sample and have the information to work with next year. They will send you an analysis and give you recommendations based on your soil type and what you want to plant. It is important to follow the recommendations of a soil analysis to ensure you are properly preparing your pastures for planting. If you would like to learn how to take a soil sample, like to pick up free soil sample kits, or would like to discuss the advantages / disadvantages of crabgrass and herbicides, or how to prepare your pasture for spring planting, please contact your local Extension agent. 

*Chemical Disclaimer

Recommendations for the use of chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader.  The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned.  Individuals who use chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label.  Be sure to obtain current information about usage and examine a current product label before applying any chemical.  For assistance, contact an agent of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in your county.