Cool Season Forages and Crops   

Kind

Lbs. per

Bushel

Planting Rate

Lbs/Acre Broadcast

Planting

Depth

Planting

Dates

Adaptation

Comments
Alfalfa 60 25-30, or drill 20-25 ¼-½

Sept-Oct*, Feb-Mar

 Deep, well-drained loam to clay loam soil with pH of 7 or higher Excellent high-protein hay or forage.  Check dormancy ratings of different varieties for winter hardiness and adaptation. Proper fertility, pH and well drained soils critical to high forage yields and stand longevity.
Barley 48 75-80, or drill 65-75 1-2 Sept-Oct Soils with high pH; sensitive to acidic soils Not susceptible to Karnal bunt.  Makes good quality feed grain and forage.  Of the cereal grains, most tolerant to saline and alkaline soils.  Not adapted to very sandy soils.
Clover, Arrowleaf 60 8-10

¼-½

Sept-Oct*

 Sandy loam soils, pH 6.0-7.0, good drainage Good cold tolerance.  Latest maturing annual clover with growth into mid-June under good moisture conditions.  Good reseeding potential. Low bloat potential.
Clover, Ball 60 2-3

¼

Sept-Oct*

 Loams and clays, pH 6.5-8.5, fair drainage Good cold tolerance.  Late maturing annual clover with most of production in April and May.  Good reseeding potential. Medium bloat potential.
Clover, Berseem

60

 12-16

¼-½

Sept-Oct*

 Loams and clays, pH 6.5-8.5, poor drainage Poor cold tolerance.  Does best in creek and river bottoms.  Poor reseeding potential.  Low bloat potential.
Clover, Crimson 60 16-20 ¼-½ Sept-Oct* Sandy loams and clays, pH 6.0-7.0, good drainage Good cold tolerance.  Excellent reseeding vigor, but low percentage of hard seed.  Best early forage production of the annual clovers.  Earliest maturing clover.
Clover, Red 60 10-12 ¼-½ Sept-Oct* Loams and clays, pH 6.5-8.0, good drainage Good cold tolerance. Weak perennial. Spring growth begins later and continues longer than the annual clovers. Upright growth for good hay.  Late growth causes it to compete with perennial warm-season grasses.
Clover, Rose 60 12-16 ¼-½ Sept-Oct* Loams, clays, and sandy soils, pH 6.0-8.0, good drainage Good cold tolerance.  Good reseeder, but seedling vigor is poor. More productive and persistent than the other clovers in north central Texas and central Oklahoma. 
Clover, Subterranean 60 16-20 ¼-½ Sept-Oct* Loams and clays, pH 6.0-7.3, fair drainage Fair cold tolerance, poor drought tolerance.  Tolerates close grazing because of low growth habit. 
Clover, White 60 3-4 ¼ Sept-Oct* Loams and clays, pH 6.0-7.5, poor drainage Good cold tolerance.  Excellent reseeder.  Does best in creek and river bottoms.  Slow initial growth.
Clover, White Ladino 60

1-4

 ¼ Sept-Oct* Loams and clays, pH 6.0-7.5, poor drainage Larger, more robust type of white clover.  Good cold tolerance.  Does best in creek and river bottoms.  Slow initial growth.
Oats, Winter 32 75-85, or drill 65-75 1-2 Sept-Oct Widely adapted. Many varieties available with different characteristics (cold tolerance, seed yield, forage production).  Excellent and highly palatable hay and forage for livestock and deer.  Fair tolerance to wet soils.
Peas, Field (Austrian Winter) 60 40-50, or drill 30 ½-1 Sept-Oct Widely adapted.  Best in well-drained soils. Good cold tolerance.  Excellent soil builder.  High protein hay or forage for livestock and deer.
Pea, Singletary (Roughpea) 55 15-20 ½-1 Sept-Oct Widely adapted. Similar in appearance to vetch.  Persistence is due to high percentage of hard seed produced.
Rape   3-5 1/4 Sept-Oct Widely adapted. Good cold tolerance.  Large leaves and stems.  Nutritious and palatable forage for livestock and deer.
Rye 56 100-120, drill 80-100 1-2 Sept-Nov Widely adapted. Good forage and hay.  Best cold tolerance of the small grains.  Produces more fall than spring forage.  Most productive cool season annual grass on soils low in fertility, well drained, and sandy.
Sweetclover, White (Hubam) 60 12-16 ¼-½ Feb-Mar Loams and clays, pH 6.0-8.0, good drainage Good drought tolerance.  Produces tall, stemmy growth.  Best for soil improvement, grazing, hay and honey production. White-flowered annual.
Sweetclover, Yellow Blossom (Madrid) 60

12-16

 ¼-½ Feb-Mar Loams and clays, pH 6.0-8.0, good drainage Good drought tolerance. Shorter growth, more leaves, and finer stems than Hubam.  Best for soil improvement, grazing and hay production.  Yellow-flowered biennial.
Triticale   90-110, or drill 75-90 1-2 Sept-Oct Widely adapted. Cross between wheat and rye, combining the cold tolerance and disease resistance of each.  May produce more forage than wheat or rye alone.
Turnips   3-5 ¼ Sept-Oct Well-drained soil, pH 5.2-6.8 Good cold tolerance.  Produces large, bulbous root.  Nutritious and palatable forage for livestock and deer.
Vetch, Hairy 60 20-25,or drill 15-20 ½-1 Sept-Oct Widely adapted. Good cold tolerance.  Good re-seeding/seedling vigor.  Exceptional soil builder.  High protein forage/hay.
Wheat, Winter 60 90-110, or drill 75-90 1-2 Sept-Oct Widely adapted. Many varieties available with different characteristics.  Good hay and forage for livestock and deer.  Moderate cold tolerance, relative to the cereal grains.  Better on wet, heavy soils than rye.

* May also be planted from February through early March.  Early fall plantings are preferred over spring planting because of less severe weed problems and generally more favorable climatic conditions for seedling establishment.

Cool Season Pasture & Native Grasses

Kind

Lbs. per

Bushel

Planting Rate

Lbs/Acre Broadcast

Planting

Depth

Planting

Dates

Comments
Bromegrass, Matua   25-30 ¼-½ Sept-Oct Short-lived perennial bunchgrass.  2-4 ft. tall.  Requires high fertility and moisture for grazing and hay.
Fescue, Tall 24 20-25 ¼-½ Sept-Oct Shade tolerant, deep-rooted bunchgrass. 2-4 ft. tall. Perennial if it lives through summer. Plant endophyte-free fescue for grazing. Best on loam or clay soils.  Tolerant of wet conditions, but not flooding.
Ryegrass, Annual 24 25-30 ¼-½ Sept-Oct High forage producer; used either in pure stand or to overseed a warm season permanent pasture for cool season grazing.  Tolerant of wet conditions.  Adapted to wide range of soils.
Ryegrass, Perennial 24 25-30 ¼-½ Sept-Oct Similar to annual ryegrass; will act as perennial if it lives through the summer.
Tall Wheatgrass   10-15 ¼-¾ Sept-Oct

Late-maturing perennial bunchgrass.  Fair to good hay and forage production under irrigation.  Very tolerant of saline & moist alkaline soils. 
Wildlife Forages (See other tables for additional items.)   
Kind

Planting Rate

Lbs/Acre Broadcast

Planting Depth

 Planting Dates Adaptation Comments
Alyce Clover 15-20 ¼-½ Mar-May Not sensitive to soil pH. Annual legume with fairly upright growth and relatively large leaves.  Good summer browse for deer.
American Jointvetch (Aeschynomene) 15-20 1-1½ Apr-May Moist, fertile soils.  Tolerant of very wet conditions. Reseeding annual legume.  3-6 ft. tall. Excellent for deer, duck, dove, quail.  Best in wet land subject to flooding.
Buckwheat 50-60 1-1½ Apr-July Widely adapted. Annual. Produces abundant seed.  Good for game birds and deer.  Can be flooded.  70-80 day maturity.
Chufa 50 1½-2 Apr-June Fertile sandy and loam soils. Excellent for turkey.  The tuber (like  peanuts, but with no shell) is scratched up and eaten.  100-120 day maturity.
Chicory 5 ¼-½ Sept-Oct Fertile, well-drained soils, pH of 5.5 or greater. Perennial herb.  Good digestibility and mineral content.  Utilized by deer and turkey.
Cowpeas 50-60 1-2 Apr-July Widely adapted. Annual. High in protein and very palatable to deer; seed for quail.  Summer plantings with available moisture.
Illinois Bundleflower 5 ¼-¾ Mar-May Good in loams and clays, fair in sandy soils. Native, perennial, legume.  3-4 ft. tall.  Provides food and cover for wildlife.  High in protein.
Lablab 20-25 1-3 Apr-May Sandy loams to clays, pH of 5-7.5. Good heat and drought tolerance.  High protein.  Row-cropping and protection during establishment recommended.
Lespedeza 20-30 ½-1 Mar-May Areas east of I-35. Tolerant of acidity and low Phos. Several different species. Good food and cover for quail and turkey. Plant in patches/strips near brush, woods and water.
Millet, Browntop 25-30 ¼-½ Apr-July Widely adapted. Annual.  60 day maturity.  2-5 ft. tall.  Excellent for all birds.  Produces abundant seed.  Reseeds easily and quickly.
Millet, Dove Proso 30-40 ¼-½ Apr-July Widely adapted. Annual.  3-6 ft. tall.  Excellent for all game birds.  Plants bend to ground as seed matures.  70-75 day maturity.
Millet, Japanese 25-35 ¼-½ Apr-Sept Widely adapted.  Tolerant of flooding. Annual.  2-5 ft. tall.  Excellent for all game birds, but best for waterfowl when flooded.  60-90 day maturity.
Partridge Peas 10-15 ¼-½ Apr-July Widely adapted.  Can be found growing wild. Annual reseeding legume.  1-6 ft. tall.  Excellent food and cover for quail and other game birds.  110 day maturity.
Sesame 10-15 ¼-½ Apr-July Widely adapted.  Best on fertile loams.  Annual.  4-6 ft tall.  Slowly shatters great quantities of oily seed.  Excellent for all game birds.
Sorghum, White Game Milo 20-30 1-2 Apr-July Widely adapted. Annual.  Birds will not eat the seed until it has dried.  3-4 ft. tall.  90-100 day maturity.
Soybean, Laredo 50-60 1-2 May-June Widely adapted; more productive on fertile loams. Annual forage-type soybean.  Excellent spring/summer protein for deer. Good palatability.  Birds relish the seed.
Sunflower, Maximilian 3-4 ¼-½ Apr-May Widely adapted.  Can be found growing wild. Native,  perennial.  3-9 ft. tall.  Provides food and cover for all wildlife.
Sunflower, Native (Common) 10 ¼-½ Dec-July Widely adapted.  Can be found growing wild. Persistent reseeding annual.  Excellent for all birds.  High % of dormant seed.  Best results when planted in winter. 
Sunflower, Peredovik-type 25-30 ½-¾ Apr-June Widely adapted; more productive on fertile loams. Annual.  4-5 ft tall.  100 day maturity.  High oil content.  Excellent for dove and quail; browsed heavily by deer.

Warm Season Forages and Crops   

Kind

Lbs. per Bushel

Broadcast

Drilled

In Rows

Planting

Depth

Planting

 Dates

Comments
Corn, Field 56     8-20 1-2 Mar-Apr Annual.  Many hybrids available with different characteristics.  Planting rates vary with seed size, desired population and row width.
Cowpeas 60 40-50 30 15-20 1-2 Apr-July Annual.  Many types and varieties available.  Used for hay, forage, wildlife, soil building, human consumption.  High-protein forage.
Early Sumac (“Red Top Cane”) 50 75-80 60-65   1-2 Apr-June Annual.  Seed is high in tannin and unpalatable to livestock.  Crop needs to be utilized before seed is mature.
Hegari 56 85-90 70-75   1-2 Apr-June Annual.  Useful as hay crop.  Produces soft, white seed that is readily utilized by all classes of livestock.
Johnsongrass 40 25-30 15-20   ½-1 Apr-July Perennial; extremely persistent and hardy.  Highly preferred by livestock and an excellent forage; risk of prussic-acid poisoning and nitrate toxicity.
Millet, German Strain R (Foxtail) 50 30-40 25-30   ½-1 May-Aug Annual grass. 1-4 ft tall.  75-90 day maturity.  Makes excellent hay.  Also valuable for erosion control.
Millet, Hybrid Pearl 48 30-40 25-30   ½-1 May-July Annual that grows 6 ft. tall or more. Tillers profusely. Excellent high quality forage and hay. Does not produce prussic acid, but has risk of nitrate toxicity.
Mungbeans   40-50 25-30 15 1-2 Apr-July Annual legume.  Tall growth with less leaf matter than Cowpeas. Very quick maturity.  Good short season hay crop. 
Sorghum Almum 40 25-30 15-20   ½-1 Apr-July Annual.  Natural hybrid between Johnsongrass and sorghum.  Wider leaves and larger stems than Johnsongrass, but not as persistent. Risk of prussic acid poisoning and nitrate toxicity.
Sorghum, Hybrid Forage 56

40-50 (Greenchop)

 20 (Ensilage) 10-15 (Ensilage) 1-2 Apr-July Annual that grows 7-8 ft. tall.  Good hay and forage.  Good heat/drought tolerance. Risk of prussic acid poisoning and nitrate toxicity.
Sorghum, Grain (“Milo”) 56   5-12 5-10 1-2 Apr-July Annual. Many hybrids available with different characteristics. For grain and hay.  Risk of prussic acid poisoning and nitrate toxicity.
Sorghum Sudangrass, Hybrid 56 60-80 50-65   1-2 Apr-July Annual. Many hybrids, i.e. late-maturing, photo-period sensitive and brown mid-rib. Used for hay and forage. Risk of prussic-acid poisoning and nitrate toxicity.
Soybean 60   50-60 40-50 1-2 May-June Annual legume.  Available in forage or grain types.  Many hybrids available.  High in protein. For hay, soil-building, and animal feed.
Sudangrass 40 40-50 30   1-1½ Apr-July Annual.  Many varieties available with different characteristics.  Used for hay, and forage.

Warm Season Pasture and Native Grasses   

Kind

Planting Rate

Lbs/Acre Broadcast

Planting

Depth

Planting

Dates

Adaptation

Comments
Bahiagrass 15-20 ¼-½ Apr-July pH 6.0-6.5.  Widely adapted. Deep-rooted perennial; forms dense tough sod.  Used for forage and hay.  Some wildlife value.
Bermudagrass

8-12 Unhulled

5-10 Hulled

 ¼ Apr-July* pH 5.5-7.0  Widely adapted.  Best on fertile well-drained soil. Long-lived perennial, sod-forming.  Excellent drought tolerance and durability.  Very persistent.  Many varieties available with different characteristics (cold and drought tolerance, forage production).
Blue Grama 1-2 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams and clays, Fair in sandy soils.  Good drought and cold tolerance, fair salt tolerance.  Native, perennial bunchgrass. 1-2 ft tall.  Very palatable.  Best west of I-35.
Bluestem, Big 3-5 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams, fair in clays and sandy soils. Good cold tolerance, fair drought and salt tolerance. Native, perennial bunchgrass.  3-6 ft tall. Good and palatable forage producer.  Excellent cover for wildlife.
Bluestem, K.R. (King Ranch) 1-2 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams and clays, poor in sandy soils. Good drought and cold tolerance, fair salt tolerance.  Introduced, perennial bunchgrass.  Hardy.  Quick growth, aggressive spreader.  Not much value as forage or hay, and no value for wildlife.
Bluestem, Little 3-4 pls ¼

Apr-May

 Good in loams, clays and sandy soils. Good cold tolerance, fair drought tolerance, poor salt tolerance.  Native,  perennial bunchgrass.  2-4 ft tall.  Good and palatable forage producer.  Excellent cover for quail.
Bluestem, Yellow (Plains, WW Spar)  2 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams, fair in clays and sandy soils. Good cold tolerance, fair drought and salt tolerance.  Introduced.  Excellent forage and hay with good management.
Bluestem, WW B Dahl 1-2 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams and clays, Fair in sandy soils.  Good drought tolerance, fair cold and salt tolerance. Introduced. Excellent forage/hay with good management. Best south of I-20.
Buffalograss 5-10 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in clays and loams, Poor in sandy soils. Good drought and cold tolerance, fair salt tolerance.  Native, perennial that is low-growing and persistent. 
Crabgrass 5 pls ¼ Apr-June Widely adapted. Good drought tolerance. Good reseeder.  Annual.   Persistent.  Valuable as a forage; highly palatable to livestock.
Dallisgrass 10-15 pls ¼-½ Apr-July Widely adapted. Good drought tolerance.  Persistent, deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass.  2-4 feet tall.
Green Sprangletop 2 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams and sandy soils, Fair in clays. Good drought and cold tolerance, fair salt tolerance.  Native, perennial bunch grass.  1-3 ft tall.  Good and palatable forage producer.  Good cover and source of seed for wildlife.
Indiangrass 3-4 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams and sandy soils, Fair in clays. Good cold tolerance, Fair salt tolerance, Poor drought tolerance.  Native, perennial bunchgrass.  3-8 ft tall.  Extremely palatable and highly preferred by livestock.  Good cover for wildlife.
Kleingrass 2-3 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams and clays, Fair in sandy soils. Fair drought and salt tolerance, Poor cold tolerance.  Introduced, perennial bunchgrass.   3-4 ft tall.  Excellent forage and hay with good management.  Good cover and source of seed for wildlife.
Lovegrass, Weeping 3-5 ¼ Apr-Jun Good in loams and clays; best in sandy soils. Fair drought, cold and salt tolerance.  Introduced, perennial bunchgrass.  Grows 2-5 ft tall.  Used for hay and erosion control.
Sideoats Grama 4-6 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams and clays, Fair in sandy soils. Good cold tolerance, fair drought and salt tolerance.  Native,  perennial.  Medium-tall bunchgrass, 1½-3 ft tall.  Good and palatable forage producer.  Excellent cover for quail.
Switchgrass 3-4 pls ¼ Apr-May Good in loams, clays and sandy soils. Good cold tolerance, fair drought and salt tolerance.  Native, perennial.  3-6 ft tall.  Good and palatable forage producer.  Excellent cover and source of seed for wildlife

* Bermudagrass will germinate after soil temperatures reach 65º.   However, unhulled bermudagrass can be safely planted prior to this and will germinate when soil temperatures reach the appropriate temperature.

Turf Grasses, Flowers and Ornamentals   

Kind

Planting Rate

Lbs/1,000ft²

Planting

Depth

Planting

Dates

Comments
Bermudagrass 1–3 ¼ Apr-July Warm-season perennial.  Widely adapted.  Needs mostly to full sun.  Excellent for erosion control, lawns and athletic fields.  Ranges from Common to better turf varieties.
Bluebonnets 1-2 ¼-½ Oct-Nov Native, warm-season annual.  Does well on slopes and soils with good drainage.  Needs full sun.  Plant in late-summer to fall for spring flowers.  Scarification not necessary.
Buffalograss 2-5 ¼ Apr-July Native, warm-season.  Good drought and cold tolerance, fair salt tolerance.  Not adapted to sandy soils and high rainfall.  Very low maintenance.  Persistent.  Slow growth rate.
Centipedegrass ⅛-1 ¼ Apr-July Adapted to sandy, acid soils of low to moderate fertility.  Moderately shade tolerant, but prefers full sun.  Not tolerant of heavy traffic.  Forms dense turf.  Relatively slow growth. 
Crownvetch ⅛-1 ½ Mar-Apr Perennial legume. Used in erosion control and rocky conditions.  Drought tolerant.  Does well on all soils.  Not tolerant of salt and alkali.  May become invasive in turf situations.
Dichondra ⅛-1 ¼ Apr-July Warm season perennial.  Low-growing, broad-leaved, carpet-like groundcover.  Best in moist, well-drained soils.  Fair heat and cold tolerance. 
Fescue, Tall 5-10 ¼ Sept-Oct* Cool-season, but will survive summers in shade under irrigation. Very shade tolerant.  Used extensively in yards with too much shade to support other turf grasses. 
Prairie Clover, Purple ⅛-1 ¼-½ Mar-Apr Native, warm-season, perennial legume.  Drought tolerant.  Used in reclaiming eroded and depleted soils and prairie reclamation projects.
Ryegrass, Annual 10-15 ¼ Sept-Oct* Cool-season.  Used extensively for erosion control and overseeding lawns and athletic fields.  Fast rate of establishment.  Fast growth rate and recovery after clipping.
Ryegrass, Perennial 10-15 ¼ Sept-Oct* Cool-season.  Although similar to Annual Ryegrass, it has shorter, finer growth and better wear tolerance.  Generally makes better quality cool-season turf.
Zoysia ⅛-1 ¼ April-May Warm-season.  Moderately shade tolerant.  Good drought tolerance.  Fair salt tolerance.  Needs well-drained soil.  Good traffic tolerance, but slow to fill in damaged areas.

* May also be planted from Feb-Mar.  Ryegrasses will persist until approx. June/July, while Fescue will survive the Texas and southern Oklahoma region through the summer as long as it is irrigated often and/or in shady conditions