Field grass - Ask Extension
Hi
Have transmission line right of way behind my house. A little grass and wildflower but a lot of bare soil. Is there a grass I could seed there to ...
Knowledgebase
Field grass #813196
Asked October 04, 2022, 5:08 PM EDT
Hi
Have transmission line right of way behind my house. A little grass and wildflower but a lot of bare soil. Is there a grass I could seed there to keep out cheat grass and that doesn't need watered? I'm in Redmond
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello,
Unfortunately, there is no such grass that will out compete cheatgrass and other annual weedy grasses in this situation, at least not without some help. That help could come in the form of mechanical or chemical intervention. Mechanical intervention, cultivation, hand pulling and other methods may not be a viable idea depending on the size of area you need to control. Chemical intervention could help minimize annual weed grass emergence long enough to allow native grasses to fill in over several years to a point they could be competetive with the annual weedy species. Here is a link to information about the ingredient that studies show can suppress annual species while allowing native grasses to gain a foothold. https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2020/rejuvra-new-herbicide-battling-cheatgrass#:~:text=Rejuvra%E2%84%A2%20can%20provide%20control,is%20controlled%20as%20it%20germinates.
Of course, this may not be an area that you can spray chemicals or have them sprayed as the right of way may not belong to you. In that case, you will need to ask the folks who own the right of way how they want the weeds controlled. They may have a plan or an employee who does this.
Unfortunately, there is no such grass that will out compete cheatgrass and other annual weedy grasses in this situation, at least not without some help. That help could come in the form of mechanical or chemical intervention. Mechanical intervention, cultivation, hand pulling and other methods may not be a viable idea depending on the size of area you need to control. Chemical intervention could help minimize annual weed grass emergence long enough to allow native grasses to fill in over several years to a point they could be competetive with the annual weedy species. Here is a link to information about the ingredient that studies show can suppress annual species while allowing native grasses to gain a foothold. https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2020/rejuvra-new-herbicide-battling-cheatgrass#:~:text=Rejuvra%E2%84%A2%20can%20provide%20control,is%20controlled%20as%20it%20germinates.
Of course, this may not be an area that you can spray chemicals or have them sprayed as the right of way may not belong to you. In that case, you will need to ask the folks who own the right of way how they want the weeds controlled. They may have a plan or an employee who does this.
