This research project investigated the effects of seeding date on native prairie grasses. Specific objectives included determining
* the effects of seeding date on first-season establishment
* the effects of seeding date on second-season establishment
* whether dormant seedings are as successful as seedings done during the main growing season
* whether increasing the percentage of cool-season grass seed in a mix improves stand establishment
In 1996 and 1997, native prairie grasses were seeded in field plots at the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus. Seeding was done 10 times during each growing season, at two- to four-week intervals. Species included Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama), Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye ), and Bromus kalmii (Kalm's brome ), a 'cool-season' and a 'warm-season' mix.
Mixes with a higher percentage of cool-season grass seed performed better than mixes containing more warm season grass seed. However, the cool-season mixes produced very few warm-season grass plants.
