How to Plant Panicum Seed

Overview

Panicum (also known as switch grass or tall panic grass) is composed of a large variety of grass species native to tropical areas of the world. The grass grows in clumps and reaches up to 6 feet in height. Panicum is commonly planted as an ornamental landscape grass or used in prairie landscapes, as it is similar to the original prairie tall grass species. Plant Panicum seeds in a sunny location that has a sandy loam-type soil that is slightly acidic.

Step 1

Purchase Panicum seed or harvest seed from mature plants in their third year of growth. Collect seeds at ripening, as they will fall from the plant several weeks after. Dry the seeds and place them in a paper bag for storage.

Step 2

Create a winter dormancy period for the seeds through seed stratification in the spring by placing them in a refrigerator during the winter season.

Step 3

Work the ground or field area with a tiller or plow in the spring once the soil temperature begins to warm up. Smooth the area prior to sowing seed.

Step 4

Sow the seeds at a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Seeds will germinate throughout the months of April and May once the soil temperature increases to a temperature of 68 degrees F.

Step 5

Water the soil after seeding in areas that have dry spring weather. Panicum seedlings will reach a height of 1 foot by early summer and 3 feet by midsummer when the growing conditions are optimal.

Step 6

Overseed the growing area the following spring if the grass is not growing to a desired density.