[MAIPC] Using annual ryegrass in cover mixes

[Stephen Hiltner]

In NC, we called it rye grain, which was frequently mentioned as an
alternative to annual rye.

On Mon, Oct 25, 2021 at 9:01 AM Matthew Sarver <matt at sarverecological.com>
wrote:

> Colleen,
>
> At high seeding rates, annual ryegrass can be detrimental to the success
> of a planting through competition. If you're worried about that, grain rye
> (Secale cereale) might be a better cover crop. Ernst has a mix that uses
> grain rye rather than annual ryegrass:
> https://www.ernstseed.com/product/native-steep-slope-mix-wgrain-rye/
>
> Of course, it very much depends on soils, sun exposure vs. shade, aspect,
> etc. I wouldn't recommend the mix above for a shady location.
>
> Best,
> Matt
>
> Matthew J. Sarver, BA, CERP
> Certified Senior Ecologist, Ecological Society of America
> Principal, Sarver Ecological, LLC
> 6 Walnut Ridge Rd
> Wilmington, DE 19807
> matt at sarverecological.com
> (724) 689-5845
> www.sarverecological.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Oct 20, 2021 at 6:36 PM Judy Fulton <jfulton5 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Hi Colleen,
>>
>> I don't have personal experience with growing Lolium multiflorum (aka
>> Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum and Festuca perennis), but I do get
>> concerned when people talk about using it because it has been mentioned as
>> invasive or naturalizing by various sources. Here's a sampling of links:
>>
>>    - CABI:
>>    https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/31165#tosummaryOfInvasiveness
>>    - NC State Extension:
>>    https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lolium-multiflorum/
>>    - Cal-IPC:
>>    https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profile/festuca-perennis-profile/
>>    - WV:
>>    http://www.midatlanticpanel.org//wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WV_ISSP_2014.pdf
>>    (pg 45)
>>    - Weakley's Flora of Southeastern (no judgment about invasiveness,
>>    but shown as exotic and growing uncultivated throughout the Mid-Atlantic):
>>    https://ncbg.unc.edu/research/unc-herbarium/flora-request/
>>    - USDA Agricultural Research Service (Naturalized section under
>>    Distribution tab):
>>    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=22493
>>
>> Because of these and other sources, I've included Lolium multiflorum in
>> the Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool (https://www.invasive.org/midatlantic/).
>> Frankly, if I were doing the planting, I'd choose to go all native.
>>
>> Judy
>>
>> ____________________________________________
>>
>> Judith P. Fulton
>> EcoPlant Consulting: Native and Invasive Plants
>> Board, Maryland Native Plant Society
>> Board, Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council
>> Chair, Maryland Invasive Species Council's Committee on Invasives Lists
>> Voice: 410-337-3701, Text only: 410-404-8201
>>
>> On 10/20/2021 12:43 PM, Kenny, Colleen wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>> I'm looking at doing a warm/cool season grass mix from Ernst in an area
>> that has a lot of exposed soil (we're very worried about erosion). The
>> mixes have annual ryegrass (*Lolium multiflorum*) which is not native,
>> but apparently germinates much faster and more aggressively than the native
>> ryegrasses.
>>
>> Does anyone have experience with these? Will the ryegrass peter out in a
>> few years? Any need to worry about it taking over too aggressively?
>>
>> I'm facing the tradeoff between need to stop erosion and desire to go
>> all-native. If the annual rye is not detrimental it would be worth the
>> faster germination.
>>
>> I appreciate your thoughts,
>> Colleen
>>
>> Colleen Kenny
>> Natural Resource Manager
>> Upper Dublin Township at Commerce
>> 370 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA 19034
>>
>> Email: ckenny at upperdublin.net
>> Office: 215.643.1600 x3843
>> Cell: 267.615.3731
>>
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