Many forage managers are considering frost seeding this season in response to damage from the drought and hoof traffic over the winter. Now to St. Patrick’s Day tends to be the ideal time for frost seeding. Reason being, water that is held in the upper horizon of the soil freezes, then the water expands, which leads to pressure that forces soil up and out during a freeze. When the water in the soil thaws, it takes up less space, and the soil settles back again
If frost seeding occurs in a timely manner, soil heaving cycles help work seed that is spread on the surface into the soil. Good seed to soil contact will help seedlings get a jump start on the growing season without the risk of disturbing soils in the early spring when conditions may be too wet to tread on.
Livestock can be helpers with frost-seeding. Hoof traffic after frost seeding can assist with seed to soil contact in combination with soil heaving. You canbroadcast the seed by hand, with a hand crank, or with a seed broadcaster on an ATV. Seed could also be aerially applied via plane or drone if the service is available to you. Livestock should be removed from the frost seeded area as soon as seed germination begins so that young seedlings can grow without grazing pressure or hoof traffic. In many cases, animals can return 30-45 days after seed begins to germinate.
Frost seeding isn’t just for legumes. There are some grasses that offer decent performance when frost seeded as well. It is important to start with high quality seed and apply it in the same timeframe as previously mentioned.
Recommended seeding rates for the forages that deliver good establishment through frost seeding are provided in the table below (information sourced from The Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin-Madison):
The ease of frost-seeding makes it appealing, but the seeding step alone isn’t all it takes for establishment to be successful. It must be followed by good grazing management and by providing rest and recovery time to newly established seedings.
Frost-seeding may not be for every producer. It is likely that 2025 will see an increase in weed pressure due to the amount of bare ground that has remained exposed for weed seed deposition during the drought. Many of our most problematic pasture weeds are broadleaf plants and the effective herbicides that provide control may also harm newly frost-seeded legumes. If you anticipate having these challenges, you might consider frost seeding grasses and waiting to add legumes until weed pressure can be evaluated later in the growing season.
Every farm has a different story, different soils, and different forage mixes. There is no one-size-fits-all plan for forage management.
