Smooth Brome

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

Color Picture	Smooth Brome Bromos inermis Native to Europe, Russia and Siberia. Introduced as a pasture forage and conservation plant and widely distributed over northern US. Leafy, medium-sized, cool-season, long-lived, vigorous sod-former. Stalks 2 to 4' tall. Leafy at base with brown scaly rhizomes. Leaves broad, flat and smooth with a natural 'M' impression imprinted near the middle of each leaf. Moderately deep roots and extensive rhizomes.
Preferences	Thrives in fertile, deep silty and clayey soils in cooler sub-humid climate. Not very vigorous on sandy and dense clay soils. Good cold tolerance and winter hardiness. Adapted 5,000 to 11,000' elevation if managed properly in central and southern Rocky Mountains, but does not persist above 9,000' in northern Rockies. Growth subsides during summer heat. Good seeding vigor.
Uses	Used for non-irrigated or limited irrigated pasture and hay. Used for soil conservation and stabilization in grass waterways, terrace outlets, drainage ditches and roadsides. Used for mine reclamation and game preservations. Good grazing management and fertility will prevent smooth brome from becoming sod-bound and a poor producer.
Planting	Plant 1/4 to 3/4" deep on fine to coarse soils, respectively. Cover broadcast seeding to similarly depth. Mulch dry sites and steep slopes. Needs weed control and protection from grazing the first year.