Orchardgrass

Biological Name:

Dactylis glomerata

Natural Habitat:

Orchardgrass: This grass is native to Europe and Asia, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, pastures, and waste areas.

Description:

Orchardgrass is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Poaceae family which also includes plants such as wheat and corn. Orchardgrass is an annual or perennial plant that produces small green or yellow flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas orchardgrass is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Does orchardgrass come back every year?
A: These are cool-season perennial grasses, meaning that they grow during the spring and fall, but are somewhat less productive or dormant during the summer. Since they are perennial, they come back each year from a crown in- stead of through seed germination.
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Q: Is orchardgrass cool or warm season?
A: Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a perennial, cool-season, tall-growing, grass which does not have rhizomes or stolons (bunch-type grass).
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Q: Is orchard grass too rich for horses?
A: Orchardgrass is one of the highest quality grasses that is a good hay option for horses, cattle and other livestock. In cattle, sheep and goat diets, it produces a superior body weight gain and milk production compared to other grasses, making it a great choice for pregnant, lactating and even growing animals.
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Q: Can you frost seed orchardgrass?
A: Orchardgrass has been somewhat successful under favorable conditions but frost seeding orchardgass is not a suggested practice. It is recommended to drill most grass species for maximum success. It is necessary to follow basic seeding and management guidelines for successful frost seeding.
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Q: Is orchardgrass good for cows?
A: A sought-after grass known for its soft, highly palatable leaves, orchardgrass is suitable for horses, cattle, and small ruminants. It has good quality forage with heavy spring yield and moderate fall production but is less drought tolerant than fescue.
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Q: How do I get rid of orchardgrass in my lawn?
A: An herbicide containing glyphosate will kill orchardgrass, but it will also kill any other grass or plants that it contacts. If you decide to use an herbicide, carefully apply it to the orchardgrass so it doesn’t kill the rest of the lawn. 2 4-d is another powerful herbicide that can be used to remove orchardgrass.
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Q: How tall does orchardgrass get?
A: Leaves are usually less than 12 inches in height. When grown under irrigation or in more moist situations, it attains a height of 24-28 inches. No vegetative spread has been observed. Orchardgrass is one of the earliest species to grow in the spring, making tremendous growth during cool conditions.
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Q: Is orchardgrass a bunch grass?
A: Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a perennial, cool-season, tall-growing, grass which does not have rhizomes or stolons (bunch-type grass).
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Q: What does apple cider vinegar do to grass?
A: Apple cider vinegar and other types of vinegar kill plants by drying out their top growth. Vinegar will not kill the roots, so some weeds will regrow after treatment. Weeds or plants that have leaves covered by a waxy cuticle do not readily absorb vinegar and so may not be killed.
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Q: What does orchardgrass look like?
A: Leaves are broadly tapered to a point and the base is v-shaped. Sheaths and ligules are smooth and membranous. The inflorescence is a panicle up to 6 inches (15 cm.) long with two to five flowered spikelets in dense side clusters.
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Q: When should I plant orchard grass?
A: Seeding and Planting For dry land and erosion control, orchardgrass seedings should be made during late fall or very early spring. For forage or grazing use, it should be drilled in late winter to early spring. For irrigated areas, drill the seeds during early to mid-spring.
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Q: Does orchard grass need fertilizer?
A: The most commonly grown species for grass hay are cool season perennials such as orchardgrass, bromegrass, timothy, and tall fescue. All of these grass species have a high requirement for nitrogen (N) fertilizer.
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Q: Where is the best place to plant an orchard?
A: Cold-air drainage and soil quality have significant effects on the profitability of an orchard. An ideal site is on the upper side of a gradual (4 to 8 percent) slope, on rolling or elevated land. Low lying areas, where cold air can accumulate during a calm, clear night, are prone to spring frost damage.
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Q: Should you mow an orchard?
A: Mowing in stages prolongs the flowering season of your orchard, allowing all flowers an opportunity to set seed for next year, and also enables wildlife to move aside and resettle locally.
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Q: Does orchard grass need a lot of water?
A: Orchardgrass performs best in areas that receive 18 inches annual precipitation or on irrigated sites but will establish and persist in areas that receive as little as 16 inches of annual precipitation. It will not tolerate soils that are saturated with water for extended periods of time.
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Q: What is the highest yielding hay crop?
A: Alfalfa is the most frequently grown forage legume and the highest-yielding perennial forage crop grown in many countries.
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Q: What is the hardest grass to grow?
A: The “toughest”” grasses (considering only that characteristic) are the sports-turf grasses like common Bermuda, hybrid Bermuda or zoysia.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.