Transitional Pastures – Nature's Seed

Cereal Rye

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:38 +0000

Common Buckwheat

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:38 +0000

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a fast-growing warm-season annual cover crop known for weed suppression, soil improvement, and pollinator-friendly flowers. It thrives in light, well-drained, low-fertility soils but is sensitive to frost and intolerant of drought. Buckwheat’s dense canopy conserves moisture and prevents erosion, making it ideal for double cropping or use as green manure. Often included in pasture seed mixes to benefit the soil, buckwheat is a good source of fiber, lysine, and protein for livestock.

Blue Grama

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:37 +0000

Switchgrass

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:37 +0000

Native warm-season Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) thrives in USDA Zones 3–9 (Great Plains to Southeast US). An exceptionally hardy, low-maintenance grass, it tolerates drought and poor soils while delivering high forage yields and dense cover. Use switchgrass for pasture forage, erosion control, prairie restoration, or ornamental clumps.

Buffalograss

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:36 +0000

Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) is a native warm-season prairie grass prized by ranchers for its drought tolerance and high forage value. It thrives on as little as 15–30″ of rain and forms a low, dense sod that requires minimal care. Cattle, sheep, goats, and other livestock readily graze its nutritious foliage (retaining quality even when cured). Ideal for Great Plains and Southwestern drylands, buffalograss also supports wildlife and resists erosion.

Alfalfa

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:36 +0000

Perennial Ryegrass

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:36 +0000

Tall Fescue

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:35 +0000

Tall fescue is a hardy cool-season perennial grass valued for its deep roots and resilience. It yields high-quality forage for pasture and hay across many U.S. regions (Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Pacific NW) and stays green into fall. Extremely drought-tolerant and easy to establish, tall fescue provides a reliable, persistent grazing grass that withstands poor soils and summer heat.

Orchardgrass

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:35 +0000

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata) – A resilient cool-season perennial grass for pastures, hay, and erosion control. Thrives on as little as 16–18″ annual rainfall and tolerates partial shade, making it ideal for ranchers in USDA Zones ~4–8 (Midwest, Appalachians, Pacific Northwest, etc.). Highly palatable to cattle, sheep, goats, and deer, it establishes quickly, forms dense roots for soil stabilization, and provides excellent grazing and cover habitat.

Timothy Grass

Joe Fertan — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:17:35 +0000

Timothy (Phleum pratense) is a cool-season perennial grass prized for its exceptional forage value and winter hardiness. It thrives in USDA zones 3–7 – especially across the Northeast, Great Plains, and Pacific Northwest – in moist fertile soils. Highly palatable to cattle, horses and sheep.