Douglas County Conservation District                                                                         ~Helping People Help the Land~                                                                                                            

by promoting projects through education to further the long- term sustainable   use of natural resources balancing the needs of agriculture and urban growth

                

                                                                            PO Box 688, 7519 E. Hwy 86, Franktown, CO 80116

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EDUCATION / INFO
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FINANCIAL ASSIST
NOXIOUS WEEDS
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SEEDLING TREES
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WATERSHED DAMS
Intermediate Wheatgrass
Elytrigia intermedia

Native to USSR from around the Black Sea and Manchuria.  Adapted over most of northwestern and western 1/3 of US.  Introduced for range forage and conservation uses.  Cool season, long lived, sod-former.

Grows erect 2 to 4' tall with clumped, basal blue-green or green leaves with spreading rhizomes and a massive root system.
Preferences  Starts growth early in spring.  Good summer regrowth and fair fall regrowth with ample moisture.  Does best on fine-textured, medium to high fertility soil in sub-humid climate.  

Tolerant of moderate saline and weakly acidic soils.  Does not withstand overgrazing.  Can tolerate early flooding 3 to 5 weeks and water table up to 3' depth.
Uses Used widely for forage, hay and pasture.  Also used for conservation on disturbed lands, roadways, ditch lands, etc.

Palatable to cattle in spring and somewhat palatable in winter.  Good palatability when green, but only fair in winter.
Planting Drill 1/2 to 1" deep and even up to 1 1/2" in coarser soils.  Can be sodded in critical areas.

Practice weed control especially in seedling stages.  Do not graze until headed and firmly rooted.