RANGE SEEDING 
RANGE SEEDING has reached large proportions in recent 
years as a result of research by the College of Agriculture 
and extensive field tests carried on by the College and its 
Farm Advisors in many counties. In initiating a program of 
range improvements the experience gained from these tests 
should be determined and used as a guide to practices and 
plant species to be used. 
It is the purpose of this booklet to aid in promoting sound 
practices that will lead to the permanent improvement of dry 
land forage resources. Both the advantages and limitations are 
therefore briefly stated. 
TIME OF SEEDING: In practically all of California fall 
seeding is recommended so that germination and growth 
may have full advantage of the winter rains, but planting too 
early is hazardous. There may be an early rain, sufficient to 
germinate the seed, followed by a long dry period before the 
regular rainy season arrives. Seeding time of the most suc- 
cessful dry land grain growers is a good guide to range re- 
seeding. An exception to this rule is found in seeding in 
the ash of brush burns, as noted below. Here it is desirable 
to have the seed in the ash before it is compacted by rain. 
In any event, an operation that is as dependent on weather 
as is dry land seeding should be planned well in advance and 
executed at the most advantageous time. One of the requisites 
of this is fore-seeing seed needs and having supplies on hand 
well before they are needed. The difference between success 
and failure may hinge upon the essential detail of timeliness, 
AMOUNTS OF SEED: In dry land seeding, moisture is a 
great limiting factor. These areas will not usually support 
dense stands of deep-rooting perennials, and even the seeded 
annuals are likely to become dwarfed when the stand is too 
thick. Extensive tests have shown that from 7 to 12 pounds 
of total seed per acre are sufficient for most sites where the 
rainfall is adequate to justify any range seeding. 
KNOW WHAT YOU SOW: Most range land is compara- 
tively low in valuation and in per acre returns. Even a slight 
increase in the quantity and quality of the cover may bring 
about a marked increase in the annual return and value of 
the land. Certain fixed costs are essential to these results. The 
risk should not be exaggerated by planting seeds of poor or 
uncertain quality. Range weeds are always a problem of 
major proportions. Seeds with a high weed content only 
aggravate this condition. It is sound business to sow only 
seeds of high germination, known identity, free from weed 
seeds. Pure seed is a sound investment. 
METHODS OF SEEDING: A Cultipacker-seeder is the 
most suitable machine for sowing and covering on a pre- 
pared seedbed. On most rough range lands it is practically 
impossible to secure uniform depth in drilling seed. Some 
range topography does not permit the use of a drill. Broad- 
casting is satisfactory if there is a firm seedbed. If the soil 
is corrugated by cultipacking, or by a shallow disking or 
springtoothing, rain will usually cover the seed satisfactorily. 
If the soil is smooth, seeding should be followed by a light 
harrowing or cultipacking. A firm seedbed is essential. Small 
seed planted in freshly-plowed, loose soil is wasted. 
