Effects of Planting Dates, Seeding Rates, and Row Spacings on Range Seeding Results in Western Colorado

Abstract

The success of range seeding is highly dependent upon the date of seeding. Early spring and late fall are the planting periods usually recommended for range seeding in western Colorado and adjacent parts of Utah (Hull and Doran, 1950; Doran, Wasser, and Hervey, 1952; Plummer, Hull, Stewart, and Robertson, 1955). In southwestern Colorado, however, August plantings have been suggested (Hull and Johnson, 1955). In a one-year test in northwestern Colorado, highest yields of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) and intermediate wheatgrass (A. intermedium) were reported from lateAugust plantings. Early-May plantings gave the lowest yields. Yields from October plantings were intermediate. All determinations were made in the third growing season (Hervey, 1958). In some cases, row width and seeding rate apparently affect yields of herbage from seeded range. At several locations in southern Idaho, yields of crested wheatgrass planted in 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-inch row spacings did not differ significantly. However, the