Construction Completion Triggers Suggestions for Planting in Pipe Network
Planting the Perfect Grass Mixture in Ohio
For homeowners and farmers in Ohio, selecting the right grass mixture is crucial for a lush, healthy lawn or productive pasture. Here are some key points to consider when choosing the ideal seed blend for your land.
Soil Testing and Preparation Before any seed is sown, it's essential to take a soil sample to determine the lime, fertilizer requirements, and pH level. Contact your local Ohio State University Extension office for information about soil testing, nutrient management, variety selection, and seeding.
Grass Mixtures for Ohio Lawns For cool-season lawns suited to Ohio, recommended blends typically include:
- 50% Kentucky bluegrass: Provides lush, durable turf with self-repair ability.
- 30% perennial ryegrass: Offers fast germination and vibrant color.
- 20% fine fescue: Tolerates shade well.
The seeding rate for lawns is about 5-10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft (roughly 217-435 lbs/acre) with soil prepared by mowing, aeration, and thatch removal. Seed purity should be high with germination above 85% and weed content under 0.5% to ensure a dense turf.
Grass Mixtures for Ohio Pastures For pastures or forage stands, the mixture often shifts to include a high proportion of tall fescue due to grazing tolerance:
- 80% tall fescue
- 10% perennial ryegrass
- 10% Kentucky bluegrass
This mix suits livestock grazing with durable forage and can be adjusted based on prior forage stands, soil conditions, and targeted grazing pressure.
Additional Considerations When establishing new forage on bare land or following a previous forage crop, seed should be sown at rates reflecting seed size, purity, and intended stand density. Overseeding into existing stands is done at reduced rates.
Other factors to consider include using seed blends containing endophyte-infected tall fescue varieties for natural pest resistance, matching grass species and varieties to the microclimate on the site, and maintaining soil pH between 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal seedling establishment.
For roadside or conservation plantings, native Ohio grasses and wildflowers are preferred, but require approval and specific seed mixes per Ohio Department of Transportation standards.
Choosing the Right Grass Mixture When selecting a grass mixture, consider your intended use of the land and pick the most improved varieties that maximize production. If you want to prevent a specific species from being seeded on your land, make sure it's clearly stated in writing in the agreement. It's also important to negotiate the sampling costs into the easement agreement.
Establishing Vegetation on Construction Sites Establishing vegetation on a pipeline right-of-way and construction area is important to conserve soil. If you choose to seed the land yourself, you can control the type and amount of each applied. However, the cost of soil sampling, seed, and planting should be the responsibility of the company.
References The information in this article is based on the Ohio Agronomy Guide (OSU Extension Bulletin 472) and Understanding Seeding Rates, Recommended Planting Rates and Pure Live Seed, Technical Note. The article was reviewed by Melvin Lahmers, Jason Undercoffer, Harry Kenney, Clif Little, and Jeff McCutcheon.
For lawns where a pipeline will be installed, different grasses should be selected for re-seeding compared to those provided in the Ohio Agronomy Guide. Contact your local OSU Extension office for recommendations about these areas.
- To ensure the longevity of livestock in Ohio's pastures, it's beneficial to consider mixtures high in tall fescue, such as 80%, complemented by perennial ryegrass (10%) and Kentucky bluegrass (10%).
- The conservation of natural resources, especially soil, can be boosted by establishing vegetation on construction sites, as demonstrated in pipeline right-of-way initiatives.
- Agriculture in Ohio, beyond traditional crops, can benefit from the cultivation of native grasses and wildflowers, particularly in roadside or conservation plantings, although specific seed mixes and approvals may be required per Ohio Department of Transportation standards.
