Douglas County Conservation District                                                                         ~Helping People Help the Land~                                                                                                            

by promoting projects through education to further the long- term sustainable   use of natural resources balancing the needs of agriculture and urban growth

                

                                                                            PO Box 688, 7519 E. Hwy 86, Franktown, CO 80116

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WATERSHED DAMS

Color Picture
Large Photo of Panicum virgatum

Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum

Native to all areas of U.S. except California and Pacific Northwest.  Medium-tall warm season, long-lived, patchy sod grass.  Strongly Rhizomatous with smooth culms and abundant leaves 2" long.  Light blue-green leaf blades wide, flat or folded and has orange colored foliage in the fall.  

 
Preferences Best adapted to overflow sites especially silty or clayey soils with adequate moisture.  Some drought resistance.  Winter hardy.  Tolerant of moderate salinity or acidity.  Established stands start growth in late spring and matures in late summer or early fall and has fair re-growth into fall.   

 
Uses Used irrigated and non-irrigated for grazing, hay, wildlife food, and cover.  Palatable until headed and has poor palatability in fall and winter.  Used in mixtures with big bluestem or Indian grass for pasture. 

 
Planting Drill or broadcast see 1/4 - 3/4" deep on firm seedbed; dead litter or mulch recommended when planting.

Weed control necessary.