Seed Installation

• Ideal seeding time is April to September
• Should be seeded at a depth of 0.25-0.50 inches; seeding too deep can result in poor germination
• Seeding rate for landscape projects is 1 to 1.5 lbs per 1,000 square feet of area

General

Western wheatgrass is cool-season grass that can be planted throughout the growing season. It will look clumpy in the first two years, but will spread through underground runners over time.

Weed Management

Use herbicides safe for cool-season grasses. Proactive weed management during establishment is highly recommended and will result in healthy grass stands with minimal weed issues over time.

Watering for Establishment

It’s important for uniform, successful germination that the soil is kept moist until seedlings emerge. In the first two weeks, keep the soil consistently moist but avoid runoff and pooling. In weeks three and four, moisten the soil daily to prevent new seedlings from dehydrating. Fix any irrigation problems as quickly as possible to prevent seedlings from drying out and dying.

Fertilizer During Establishment

Fertilizing new seedling stands helps them grow quickly so that their leaves fully cover the soil. Apply a controlled-release or organic fertilizer at planting OR fertilize regularly with a very light dose of quickly available fertilizer. A light dose of fertilizer can be applied as often as weekly, but at a significantly lower rate than standard lawn fertilization. Apply 0.1-0.2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet each time the area is fertilized during the establishment period. Do not fertilize after mid-August.

Mowing During Establishment

Western wheatgrass grows rapidly, especially in wet conditions. New projects may benefit from consistent mowing the first two years to create a more even appearance while the grass is filling in. If it grows tall enough to look unsightly or cause concern, mow it as high as possible, ideally so the grass is four to six inches tall after mowing. Mowing can be beneficial to create a more tidy appearance and help with weed suppression.

Long-Term Watering

Though western wheatgrass is a cool-season grass, it has similar water requirements as other Front Range native species: 8 to 10 inches of irrigation or less. It benefits from early spring moisture when its growth rate is the fastest, and under dry midsummer conditions it will turn brown. Summer irrigation will keep it active and growing.

Mowing

Western wheatgrass can be mowed more often in spring and less often as its growth slows in mid-summer. The more irrigation or precipitation it gets, the quicker it will grow.

Weed Control

Long-term weed control keeps grass healthy and attractive. Ideally, with proactive weed control early in the project, long-term weed control efforts can be minimal: spot-spraying troublesome plants. Pre-emergent weed control products can help prevent new weeds from growing—however, since they’ll also prevent new grass seed from germinating, only use them in established grass stands where you aren’t planning any overseeding or germination of additional grass seed. Identify the weed species appearing in the area and include specific weed-control strategies for those types of weeds. Only use products labeled as safe for western wheatgrass.

Fertilizing

For areas where western wheatgrass is used as a low-water groundcover, fertilize once or twice in early spring when the grass is growing rapidly. Apply nitrogen at 1 lb/1000 square feet of area. Low-input, naturalized, or restored areas do not need to be fertilized at all, but may be less dense and develop some spaces between plants over time.